One of my favorite ways of kicking off my summer and de-stressing after the school year is to implement a new summer yoga routine. However, sometimes it can be hard to figure out where to start, and if you’re new to yoga, you may not even know any poses at all! Keep reading to find out more about my top five recommendations for easy yoga poses that you can implement into your summer 2021 routine.
1. Seated Forward Fold
This pose, also known as Paschimottanasana or the intense dorsal stretch is perfect for beginners, and might even be a yoga pose you do without knowing it! In this pose, you sit with your legs straight out in front of you and simply bend forward. This pose stretches the spine, shoulders, and hamstrings.
2. Chair
This next pose gets you up on your feet and is also known as Utkatasana. To execute this pose, simply stand up straight, with your arms above your head, and sit back like you’re sitting in a chair. This pose strengthens the thighs, spine, ankles, and calves while stretching the shoulders and thorax.
3. Warrior II
My third recommendation is also a standing pose, and it’s known as warrior II or Virabhadrasana II. Simply stand with one leg forward and one behind (creating a triangle with your legs) and lunge forward, then adding your arms straight out from your shoulders. This pose strengthens the legs and ankles while also stretching the shoulders, legs, ankles, thorax, and lungs.
4. Legs-Up-The-Wall
This pose, with a very straightforward sounding name, is also known as Viparita Karani. Find an open stretch of wall and then lay down, lifting your legs straight up, and then scooting forwards until your butt is touching the wall. This pose stretches the front torso, back of the neck, and the backs of the legs.
5. Child
My final yoga pose recommendation is known as child’s pose, Bālāsana, or child’s resting place. To execute this pose, sit on your knees and then lean forward with your arms stretched out in front of you, resting against the floor but still reaching. This pose stretches the hips, thighs, and ankles, and is personally one of my favorites as it’s so relaxing.
Let me know what your summer yoga routine is, or if you’ve ever incorporated any of these poses into your own routines!