It’s time for spring yoga! Pause and breathe in the season of new beginnings. Even if you’re not reading this in the springtime, these energizing yoga poses will help you harness the energy of new life and fresh starts.
Only practice the following poses if you are certain you can do so safely. If you are new to yoga, it is best to practice yoga poses under the guidance of an instructor.
Utthita Tadasana, star pose
In star pose, we stand up straight with legs planted wider than hip-width. The arms stretch out evenly to the sides, palms face forward, and fingers stretch wide.
This active pose is a great choice for the beginning of an energizing yoga asana session. You can transition here from Tadasana, mountain pose.
We love this pose because it encourages us to take up as much space as possible on our mat. Our energy radiates in five directions, like the image of a star we’re all so familiar with. The pose facilitates a gentle opening of the chest, and reminds us to breathe in fresh, spring energy.
For a variation, you can sit down with arms out to the side, or lay down in the star shape for a similar effect.
2. Sirsasana, headstand
The headstand is an inversion pose.
It is particularly important to only practice this pose if you are certain you can do so safely. It is highly recommended that you only practice this posture under the guidance of an instructor.
Energizing yoga will revive your day and your season
This pose requires focus, which makes it an energizing yoga pose, perfect for spring. A headstand can light up your inner fire, provide a balance challenge, and allow you to see things from a new perspective—upside down!
If headstand isn’t for you, you can still get upside down with “legs up the wall” pose or the inversion of your choice.
3. Vrksasana, tree pose
Tree pose is a balancing pose. Stand on one leg with the foot of the other leg pressed against the inside of the ankle, calf or inner thigh of the standing leg. Hands can remain in a prayer position or stretch upward.
Tree pose is an energizing opening of the shoulders, torso, and thighs as well as a balance pose. Explore what it feels like to take your gaze upward and arch your back, or you can close your eyes.
The combination of rooting down into the earth with the standing foot and allowing our limbs to grow up and out like tree branches connects us more deeply to the ever-changing earth.
You can also practice tree seated, or holding on to a chair or wall for more stability.
4. UsTrasana, camel pose
For camel pose, the knees stay on the mat as you bend backward to touch the feet with your hands, being careful to elongate the low back at all times.
Nothing says “energizing yoga” like a chest-opening back bend! And while we call this pose a backbend or a chest opener, it also strengthens the quads, glutes, hamstrings, shoulders, and arms.
Spring yoga can prepare you for anything
This pose might make you feel emotional, but with more practice, it will remind you to live this season with an open heart.
Back bend variations include bridge pose or supported bridge. Grab your favorite block, or bolster and enjoy similar benefits.
5. Kapotasana, pigeon pose
Pigeon pose is a half split with one leg straight back behind the body with the top of the foot pressing into the mat. The other leg should bend in front with the calf on the ground. The torso lifts, opening the chest. For sleeping pigeon, walk your hand forward, out in front of you for a shoulder stretch.
This pose is an intense hip opener that will calm and focus your mind for whatever’s next this season.
Try reclined pigeon on your back for a gentler opening.
Join us for spring yoga!
We hope to see you at the Yoga Center this spring season. Check out our offerings and sign up for a class now.