If you have been wanting to break free from the same old poses and flows, these 7 yoga poses will help you to add a little fun to your time on the mat.
They will help you to open the shoulders, chest and upper back as well as connect to the breath.
The breath, along with joy and vibrancy are associated with the element of air for those that like to add this to their practice.
- Breath of Joy – Start standing with the feet a bit wider than hip width and a soft bend in the knees. Each rep is 3 inhales through the nose, and then 1 exhale. Following this pattern with the arms – Inhale arms forward to shoulder height, inhale arms out to shoulder height, inhale arms up overhead, exhale fold down sweeping arms back. Do 10 or so rounds.
2. Crescent – Reach arms overhead, clasping opposite wrists. Take a big side body stretch bringing arms to the left and hips to the right. Imagine breathing directly into the right lung. Repeat to the other side.
3. Forward Fold – Interlace the fingers behind the back. Hinge forward at the hips to fold down. Reach the knuckles up and over. Think of squeezing the shoulder blades behind you. Keep shoulders lifting away from the ears.
4. Forward Fold/Side Body movement – Come to kneeling, sitting back on the heels. Inhale the left hand up and over, with right arm resting down at side. As you exhale fold forward, moving through center. Inhale lifting up to the other side, right arm up and left hand down. Alternate side to side. To add on, lift the hips up as you come to the side, in a variation of camel pose.
5. Rabbit Pose – Interlace the fingers behind the back. Squeeze the shoulder blades behind you. Open the chest. Lower the forehead, rolling gently to the top of the head. Lift the knuckles up and over. Lifting shoulders away from the ears.
6. Thread the Needle – Come up to table top, with hands under shoulders and knees under hips. Thread the left arm underneath you, coming onto the ear and shoulder. Press into the right fingers, or extend them overhead. Repeat to the other side.
7. Child’s Pose – Bring the big toes together and the knees as wide as you like. Lower the forehead to the mat. Bring the palms together to touch, and bend the elbows in reverse prayer. Reaching thumbs to the back of the neck. Slow down the breathing, returning the heart rate to normal.
These 7 poses come from a 15 minute air element yoga practice on YouTube. Check it out and practice alongside me below.
Namaste,
Kassandra
