Yoga is an incredibly common, and beneficial, practice for mental and physical healing. Certain poses allow you to stretch muscles that may need a healing aid and others can help you focus your attention internally for mental healing.
Any good yoga instructor will tell you that the practice of yoga isn’t about how flexible you are or what poses you can physically do, it’s about the journey to emotional healing and wellbeing.
Here are five beginner-friendly yoga poses that can help aid in physical and mental healing today.
1. Child’s Pose
Child’s pose, also known as Balansana, provides a gentle stretch to your back, hips, thighs, and ankles. It’s also a common pose for beginning and ending a yoga sequence. To properly do this pose, you should start on your hands and knees. Meet your ankles to each side of your mat and keep your big toes on both feet touching.
Rest your belly and head down on the mat for however long you need. This is an important pose for anyone healing from mental health issues, especially if you’re working on your inner child.
2. Downward Dog
Downward Dog, also known as Svanasana, is a whole-body stretch that is done standing up. It’s a common transitional pose during a yoga sequence and is excellent for improving circulation throughout your body. To correctly do downward dog, begin on all fours. Your Hands and knees should be shoulder-width apart before you lift your knees off the ground.
Straighten your legs so you end up in an “upside-down V” and extend to help give an added stretch.
3. Cobra Pose
Cobra Pose, also known as Bhujangasana, helps increase the mobility of your spine and is a great way to relieve physical back pain. Cobra pose is a common step in the sun salutation and can be done so correctly by placing your palms flat on your mat with your elbows hugged to your sides.
Pause for just a moment before lifting your head, neck, and upper body as high as you feel comfortable and hold. Remember to keep your neck neutral to avoid neck strain.
4. Tree Pose
Tree pose, also known as Vrikshasana, is a standing pose that requires a little bit of balance to get right. Although it requires a little extra focus, it’s still simple enough to do so correctly with a bit of practice.
To do the tree pose correctly, begin by standing straight on your mat. Put your hands together, like a prayer, at your heart, and then slowly slide your foot up the opposite leg. Focus your vision on a still object while you hold this pose.
5. Corpse Pose
Corpse pose, also known as Shavasana, is common for ending yoga sequences. It’s widely considered the ultimate relaxation pose as you’re encouraged to let your body “melt” into the floor.To do corpse pose the right way, all you need to do is lay flat on your back and let your arms and legs rest to the sides. Lie there for as long as you need and then slowly bring yourself back to the present.