This post is sponsored by Puritan’s Pride. For more articles like this, check out Puritan’s Pride Healthy Perspectives blog.
Getting my “old” body back is one of my resolutions in 2014. That doesn’t mean I’m out hitting the pavement, jarring my knees. In fact I’m opting for a simpler, gentler exercise. Yoga is one of the best things you can do for your body and there are a few poses that have excellent benefits not only in stretching but in your internal health as well. When you do a twist in any form, it helps you’re your digestive system. Some poses help to open up your chest and increase the amount of air you can breathe in and others open up your heart so you are more receptive to positive energy. Yep, yoga is awesome and here are the best yoga poses for your body.
Downward Facing Dog.
There are some amazing health benefits to Downward Facing Dog including how this one pose stretches your arms, legs and back all at the same time. If you are feeling tired or worn out, do this pose for one minute to rejuvenate yourself as it boosts circulation and wakes you up. It also preserves bone density because it builds upper body and arm strength.
Pigeon.
Often times we hold stress and tension in our hips and this pose helps to open up the hips, glutes, and the low back. It can take your breath away with its intensity, but stick with it and hold it and breathe, then sink deeper into the pose. Work on holding this for two minutes on each side. Pigeon stimulate the internal organs and helps with urinary disorders and is one of the best poses to relieve overall stress.
Child’s Pose.
This pose seems so simple, but has such great health benefits to the mind and body. It releases tension in the back, shoulders, and chest while alleviating stress and anxiety. It is a great pose to lengthen and stretch the spine and relieves neck and lower back pain. This is also a great pose to regain your breathe and calm your mind.
Forward Fold.
This is a great yoga move that has a lot of benefits and can be done just about anywhere. The Forward Fold stretches your hamstrings and glutes, plus clears your mind because as you are folded over the blood rushes to your brain. While folded over, shake your hips out to relieve all the stress and tension that hides there. Do this at least twice a day for 30 seconds at a time.
Seated Heart Opener.
When you are feeling that you need to open up your heart, the Seated Heart Opener can help you do just that. Sitting in this pose also stretches your legs and glutes, and when your arms are behind your back it stretches your shoulders and lengthens your arms. Sit it this pose for a minute and allow your heart and mind to open up to positive energy and release any negative thoughts.
Yoga is one of the best things we can do for our mind and body. These five poses will help clear your mind, open your heart, and awaken your body. Ten minutes of yoga a day can greatly help to reduce your overall stress and increase circulation and calm the stresses we put on our bodies every day.
Of course even with gentle yoga, you should talk to your doctor before starting yoga or any other exercise program. If you’re aching after a little workout, check out some of the products to help soothe yourself at Puritan’s Pride (I always keep ibuprofen around in case my post yoga session feels more like a marathon — yeah, I’m THAT out of shape).
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