As the school year has come to a close, your body may still be holding a lot of tension–a stressful job or summer classes can require keeping your mind and body in check. So, whether you plan to spend your summer at ease or keep busy, staying relaxed does not need to be hard! Valley suggests yoga as your portal to relaxation this summer.
Freelance yoga instructor and Penn State alumnus Rick Miller says that what we take out of a yoga class is “priceless” in our advancing world.
“I find that the relaxation one gets after a vigorous power yoga class can be profound,” says Miller.
Miller says that different muscle groups in our bodies require different poses. It is best to pick a pose that relaxes the muscle group where you find tension. With that being said, it is also important to work all muscles in the body.
“Our mitochondria are the power source for our whole metabolism, like the battery of your smartphone,” says Miller. “Muscles house the majority of our mitochondria, so working all 620 of our muscles every day is a good idea.”
NamaSTAY relaxed this summer with these 10 calming poses:
1. Supine twist: Lie on your back and lay one or booth knees to the side of your body.
2. Tree: Start by standing vertically, bringing a foot up to the opposite calf or inner thigh and reach your hands overhead–all while keeping your balance.
3. Bridge: Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet on the floor. Push your pelvis up into the air. Do not put too much pressure on your neck or shoulders.
4. Uttanasana: This pose is a standing forward bend. With your knees straight, bend your body from the waist down and touch the floor or wherever is comfortable to reach.
5. Downward facing dog: With your feet on the ground, place your hands on the ground far away from your hands so your body makes a v-shape.
6. Ananda Balasana: This pose, also known as “happy baby”, is performed by lying on your back with your feet in the air, knees bent and a shoulder-width apart. Hold onto your feet with your hands.
7. Triangle: With your legs shoulder-width apart, cross one straight arm over to the opposite foot with your other arm straight and in the air.
8. Chaturanga: To execute this pose, hold a low plank.
9. Warrior: While standing with your legs far apart, twist your body to face one side. Your front foot should be facing forward, while your back foot is turned outward. Put your arms straight out with your one arm pointing to the front and your other arm pointing the other way.
10. Shavasana: End your yoga session with this final relaxation. Lie on your back with your arms by your sides and your palms up. Let your mind rest and enjoy this pose free of stress or tension.
Whether you decide to attend some yoga classes or practice on your own, you can become a yogini this summer!
