There are a few easy yoga poses look hard but actually are not. They are simple to practice and help workout every muscle in the body. Before we list down such 10 easy yoga poses, here is a quick introduction on yoga.
Yoga is one of the important exercises for people of all age groups. The practice of yoga dates back to prehistoric Indian times when monks and ancients followed it every day to focus on three major aspects of life:
- Mind – to make you mentally strong
- Body – to put you physically healthy
- Soul – to increase your spirituality
Once you start doing yoga, you will experience an amazing calmness and great flexibility in the body. The term “Yoga” is derived from the Sanskrit language “YUG” – meaning the union of individual consciousness.
Often, people perceive yoga to be a combination of asanas, stretching, folding, turning, twisting and breathing in the most complicated ways.However, the fact is that yoga, being 5000 years old, is more of science that unfolds the infinite potentials of mind, body, and soul. Whether you are old or young, fit or unfit, yoga can be taken up on your everyday regime.
Not all may be health conscious but a lot of people certainly are. They rigorously be on diets and workout sessions for better health and of course, a beautiful toned body. As an added advantage, Yoga helps to bring down the body fat and puts a person in a perfect shape. Regular practice of Yoga helps you to maintain standard waistline, burn calories, maintains your flexibility and keeps you away from many health issues without any side effects.
10 Easy Yoga Poses That Look Hard
These are the ten easy yoga poses that look hard but are not that complicated, as they sound. Though it feels a little hard at the initial stages, an everyday practice can help you get used to it.
10. Mountain Pose
Sanskrit Name: Tadasana
Benefits & Purpose: It is a breathing exercise to improve mental ability and clarity.
Procedure:
- Stand with your feet apart, weighed evenly on your feet and your hands on your sides.
- Focus on your arms and shoulders. Engage with your pelvis and trunk properly.
- Breathe slowly and deeply, by keeping your neck aligned with your spine.
- Hold the pose for 30-50 seconds.
- By the time your focus increases, you can also bring your hands and arms in an upward sky stretch prayer position.
9. Child Pose
Sanskrit Name: Balasana
Benefits & Purpose: It relaxes the body, relieves & neck pain, stretches the thighs, ankles and knees.
Procedure:
- Sit upright comfortably on your heels. Then, bring your head and limbs in the forward direction by placing your forehead at rest on the ground.
- By stretching your arms backward, lower your chest as close as to your knees. Hold the pose for few seconds and breathe.
- To get deep into this pose exhale and release the breath deeply.
8. Downward Facing Dog Pose
Sanskrit Name: Adho Mukha svanasana
Benefits & Purpose: It encourages full body circulation, stretches the hands and calves.
Procedure:
- Stand with hands and knees apart.
- Bring down your hands forward by bending front, spread your fingers for good stability on the floor.
- Now curl your toes slightly, press yourself and move your hip upwards so that your body posture looks like an inverted “V” with knees bent slightly.
- The stronger stretch of this pose is obtained by placing your heels on the floor.
7. Tree Pose
Sanskrit Name: Vriksasana
Benefits & Purpose: It strengthens the thighs, spine, ankles, and calves. Also, it improves the entire body balance.
Procedure:
- Start by doing the mountain pose (check the steps at yoga pose – no # 1)
- Now, shift all your weight onto your left leg.
- By keeping your hips forward, place your right foot on the left thigh and then find your balance.
- When you are done, take a prayer position with your hands, slowly take it up equal to the arms as like in the mountain pose and hold for few seconds.
- Repeat the same on the right leg.
6. Bridge Pose
Sanskrit Name: Setu Bhanda
Benefits & Purpose: It is for strong back. It strengthens the neck, spine and chest.
Procedure:
- Lie down on the floor with your arms set on your sides.
- Press your feet into the floor with your knees bent and lift your hips.
- Now join your hands under your lower back hip and press your arms for downward support.
- Lift your hips so that they are parallel to the floor and bring your chest to your chin.
5. Upward Facing Dog
Sanskrit Name: Urdhva Mukha Svanasana
Benefits & Purpose: It helps to stretch and strengthen the spine, arms and wrists.
Procedure:
- Lie with your face down on the floor. Keep your hands under the shoulders and legs extended with tops of your feet on the floor.
- Push your hip down as you squeeze your glutes.
- By balancing on your hands, push up and lift your chest from the ground.
- Then Relax, breathe and repeat the same.
4. Pigeon Pose
Sanskrit Name: Eka Pada Rajakapotasana
Benefits & Purpose: It opens up the chest and shoulders. It is a great quad stretch.
Procedure:
- Start in a push-up position, and keep your hands under your shoulders.
- Now place your left knee on the floor with your left heel on your right hip side.
- Press your hands on the floor and sit back. Keep your chest lifted by looking up.
- For a stretch, you can also bend your chest close to the floor.
- Relax for few seconds and repeat with the other leg.
3. Seated Twist
Sanskrit Name: Ardha Matsyendrasana
Benefits & Purpose: It gives you an incredible stretch, especially if you are sitting for long hours at the office. It also relaxes the neck, shoulder and hip.
Procedure:
- Sit on the floor and extend your legs.
- Now cross your right foot over the outside of left thigh.
- Then bend your left knee pointed towards upwards.
- Place your right hand on the floor behind you and your left elbow outside of your right knee to stay stable. Twist to your right completely by moving from your abdomen.
- Make sure that you keep both the sides of your butt on the floor. Do this for both sides.
2. Warrior Pose
Sanskrit Name: Virabhadrasana
Benefits & Purpose: It stretches as well as strengthens the legs and ankles.
Procedure:
- Stand with your legs apart.
- Now turn your left foot 90 degree and right foot slightly
- Keep your shoulders down, and then extend your arms with your palms facing down.
- Rush into your right knee at 90 degrees, keep your right knee over your right foot.
- Focus completely on your hands as far as you can then switch the sides.
1. Triangle Pose
Sanskrit Name: Trikonasana
Benefits & Purpose: This pose strengthens thighs, knees and ankle. It relieves a backache; it is a kind of full body stretch.
Procedure:
- Take a warrior position on your right side without rushing into your right knee.
- Now touch the inside of your right foot on the outside of your right hand.
- Reach to the ceiling side with your left hand.
- Now turn your body towards and besides your left hand for stretching your back.
- Relax and switch to the other side.
The yoga poses listed above offers incredible body benefits if practiced every morning or evening. There are some more easy yoga poses that look hard but are not in real. We would have listed them but we thought of sticking to the basic ones. Feel free to drop your sugesstions in the comments section.
