On this Women’s Day, commit to embracing an active lifestyle by integrating these yoga poses into your routine.
As we commemorate Women’s Day, it’s crucial to acknowledge the unique challenges women encounter in juggling professional responsibilities with personal wellness. Recent data reveals that women are disproportionately affected by work-related stress, with 57% reporting feelings of stress compared to 41% of men. As Women’s Day approaches, let’s emphasize the importance of self-care and self-love. Join us in prioritizing well-being with seven revitalizing yoga poses curated by Pradeep Mehta, Yog Acharya & Founder of Samsara Wellness, crafted to uplift your mood during challenging workdays.
1. Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana)
The Downward-Facing Dog Pose, also referred to as Adho Mukha Svanasana, is an inversion asana often incorporated into dynamic sequences such as Surya Namaskar, or the Sun Salutation. Widely practiced in modern yoga for its physical benefits, this pose helps strengthen the external oblique abdominal muscles. Serving as a gentle inversion, it reverses the usual forces exerted on the spine, facilitating enhanced blood circulation to the brain. Regular inclusion of Downward Dog in a weekly yoga regimen may contribute to the alleviation of chronic back discomfort.
2. Forward Fold (Uttanasana)
Starting from a standing position, exhale and fold forward from the hips, allowing your hands to reach the floor or grasping your elbows. Uttanasana, or Forward Bend, helps release tension in the spine, elongates the hamstrings, and fosters mental tranquility by promoting introspection and relaxation.
3. Happy Baby Pose (Ananda Balasana)
- Lie on your back and bend your knees, bringing them toward your chest.
- Rock gently from side to side to massage the spine and release tension in the hips and lower back.
- Happy Baby Pose, or Ananda Balasana, evokes a feeling of playfulness and joy, encouraging us to embrace the present moment with childlike wonder.
4. Full Cobra (Bhujangasana)
- Lie on your stomach and position your hands firmly under your shoulders.
- Apply pressure to your palms and lift your upper body off the ground, ensuring your elbows remain close to your body.
- Bhujangasana, or Cobra Pose, strengthens the back muscles, enhances posture, and instills confidence by opening the heart center and cultivating a feeling of empowerment.
5. Fish Pose (Matsyasana)
- Lie on your back with your legs and arms extended alongside your body.
- Elevate your chest and arch your back, allowing the crown of your head to touch the floor.
- Matsyasana, or Fish Pose, stretches the chest and throat, alleviates fatigue, and fosters sensations of rejuvenation and renewal.
- Additionally, it aids in enhancing thyroid function.
6. Bow Pose (Dhanurasana)
- Lie on your stomach, bend your knees, and reach back to hold your ankles.
- Inhale as you raise your chest and thighs off the mat, forming a bow shape with your body.
- Dhanurasana, or Bow Pose, strengthens the back muscles, stimulates the digestive organs, and imbues a feeling of courage and resilience.
7.Tree Pose (Vrkasana)
- Stand tall with your feet hip-width apart.
- Transfer your weight onto one foot and rest the sole of the other foot against your inner thigh or calf.
- Extend your arms overhead.
- Vrkasana, or Tree Pose, enhances balance, focus, and concentration, serving as a reminder to stand firmly grounded in our inner strength.
On this Women’s Day, amid the daily chaos, let’s prioritize our mental and physical health. Integrating these seven self-love poses into your routine can foster inner peace, resilience, and empowerment, empowering you to navigate challenging workdays with grace and confidence. Remember, prioritizing well-being is essential, not a luxury.