Yoga Poses for Beginners
Perhaps you are new to the practice and need a good starting point or you are recovering from an injury, pregnancy, or another physical ailment. Here are some examples of excellent poses for any ability level:
Cat/Cow alternating- or marjaryasana/bitilasana involves two contrasting poses with neutral position in tabletop. In cow pose, spine and head are extended with belly dipping down. In cat pose, spine and head are in flexion with naval drawing inwards with gaze naturally looking down. Cat/cow primarily stretches the spine, core, hips, chest, and neck, while also engaging the shoulders, wrists, and hip flexors.
Child’s pose- or balasana, often considered a resting posture, is an excellent foundational pose that stretches the hips, thighs and ankles. Knees are typically spread the distance of the yoga mat or wider to make room for a front laying torso. A typically inward facing pose, child’s pose typically provides relaxation by enabling the parasymathetic nervous system.
Upward salute- or urdhva hastasana, is one of the poses usually included in a sun salutation. With arms overhead and feet grounded hip with distance in the floor, this pose provides an excellent torso-focused stretch particularly of the shoulders, chest.
