3 Great Yoga Poses for Beginners

Aside from being a great way to find and maintain positivity every day, practicing yoga has several benefits for adults ranging from flexibility to healthier bones to reduced stress. If you’re new to yoga, it’s best to start slowly to avoid strain or injury.

 

Check out the benefits of these low-impact yoga poses you can try right now:

 

If you’ve been struggling with poor posture while nursing aches and pains, trying Dandasana may provide some relief! Yoga Journal provides a step-by-step breakdown of the Staff Pose, but the basics are this:

 

Find a wall to use for an alignment check. Sit with your back pressed against the wall while keeping your legs together and extended in front of you. Flex your toes toward yourself, then lengthen your body so that your torso is perpendicular to the floor. Take long, deep breaths in this pose for at least a minute.

 

Movement and exercise are important for maintaining health, and Utkatasana—or Chair Pose—is great cardio as this low-impact pose increases your heart rate and respiration rate. According to Health Me Up, adding Utkatasana to your yoga practice can also improve posture.

 

To start, stand with your feet together, planted firmly in the ground. Lift your arms up as high as feels comfortable (aim for over your head if possible), with your palms facing each other, as you take a deep inhale. Exhale and bend your knees to draw your tailbone down to the floor, without losing your balance. Your torso and the tops of your thighs should form a right angle.

 

Down dog is the most basic and widely known yoga pose. Although the pose is simple – it looks like an upside-down V – you are engaging every part of your body in this back and shoulder-strengthening pose. In addition, hands, wrists, hamstrings, calves and even Achilles tendons are strengthened as you firmly plant the palms of your hands into the ground.

 

Push down on the ground with your toes so your heels are slightly lifted while keeping your shoulders and neck engaged so that you’re not sinking into this pose. The key is to find a balance between the upper and lower body so there is not too much tension in any one area.

 

Once you get these poses down, start exploring your area for beginner yoga classes that will introduce you to a more formal practice to learn how these and other poses flow together. Enjoy your newfound center!

 

 

Always consult your doctor before changing your diet or starting a new exercise regimen.