March 8th is International Women’s Day, and what better way to celebrate than with yoga? Health Yoga Life is proud to be both family-owned and women-owned. Yoga has so many benefits, specifically for women. We’ve got some poses to practice this International Women’s Day with your mom, sister, daughter, friends, or even just by yourself.
Child’s Pose
This pose is perfect for starting your class, ending your class, or whenever you need to take a breather. The perfect pose whenever you need to check out and come back to your center. Keep your toes touching, and your knees apart. Lay your chest along the tops of your thighs, with your arms outstretched. Rest your forehead on your mat if that’s comfortable for you. A block under your forehead is another option.
Tree Pose
Sometimes we just need some grounding in all the chaos of life. Tree pose is perfect when you’re feeling stressed and need to remind yourself that you can handle anything that comes your way. Stand on one foot with the other at your ankle, calf, or inner thigh, avoiding your knee. Lift up through your chest and have your hands at heart center, or raised in the hair, growing your branches. For an added challenge, sway your arms and try to keep your balance. For the ultimate challenge, close your eyes and see how long you can hold this pose.
Camel Pose
The perfect counter to all of that desk sitting, laptop using, and phone checking. Start on your knees with your chest lifted. Carefully lean back, pulling up instead of back, and reach for your heels with your hands. You can keep your toes tucked to bring your heels closer to your hands. Blocks are also a great tool in this pose. If you feel comfortable, lift your chin, and focus your gaze upward.
Malasana: Yogi Squat
The ultimate pose for hip opening, especially important for women. Start with your feet hip’s width distance apart and drop into a deep squat. You can widen your feet if that makes the pose more accessible. You can also use a block under your tailbone to make it more of a restorative pose. Put your hands at your heart center and if movement feels good, you can rock from side to side, breathing deep into any sticky spots.
Goddess Pose
Never forget: you are a goddess! Move your feet more than hip’s-width apart and sink down into a squat, toes pointed out and belly engaged. Goalpost your arms, sending energy up and out. You might start to shake, but keep focus on your breathing, or even a mantra. Your whole body may shake in this pose, but remember that you are strong, and capable. You’ve got this!