Yoga slowly and gently moves your body into postures that you might have thought impossible for your adult body. Have fun exploring the capabilities of your body with yoga, especially with inverted and balancing postures. These yoga poses can remind you of being a kid again, improve circulation and stimulate your internal organs. Alert your instructor about any health conditions before yoga class.
Half Moon
Use the balancing posture Half Moon for some yoga fun. Stand with your feet hip-width apart, bend at the hips to place your hands on the floor and lift your right leg. Swing your right arm out 180 degrees and let your torso follow, your fingers should be pointing toward the ceiling. Look up to assume the final pose, hold for up to 30 seconds. Come down the forward bending position as you exhale. Place your hands on your hips and come up to standing with a flat back as you inhale. Repeat on the other side.
Headstand
Do a headstand to turn upside down and build your confidence. Kneel about 2 feet away from a wall with a folded blanket in front of you for your head. Grab your elbows with the opposite hands and rest your forearms directly in front of you knees. Let go of your elbows and bring your hands up to meet each other and form the apex of a triangle, interlace your fingers. Place the back of your head against your palms and raise your torso so it's perpendicular to the floor. With straight legs, walk your feet toward your face and when you cannot come any closer, kick up into the head stand one bent knee at a time. Extend your legs to come into the final posture and hold for up to five minutes, depending on experience. Come down the opposite way you came up and rest in child's pose for at least one minute. Follow with the shoulder stand.
Shoulder Stand
Do shoulder stand after the headstand to relax your body and neck. Lie face-up on your mat with limbs extended and palms on the floor next to your body. Exhale and bend at the waist to raise your legs 90 degrees. On your next exhale, use your core muscles to lift your torso off the ground and support your lower back with your hands. In the final pose, allow only your elbows, upper arms, shoulder blades and head to touch the mat. Hold for up to one minute and breathe freely. To come out of the posture, return your palms to the floor. Using your hands as brakes, slowly roll down vertebrae by vertebrae until your legs are resting on the floor. Rest for at least 30 seconds before sitting up.
Goddess Stretch
Enjoy a yoga exercise in bed instead of on your mat for a fun and relaxing stretch before you go to sleep. To perform the goddess stretch, lie in bed, prop your back up with your forearms and place the soles of your feet together in a comfortable position and let your knees fall open. If you can, lie down or prop yourself up with a pillow and relax for a couple minutes.
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