Essencia Partner Yoga

Here is my first post on Essencia's Blog! As I said in a previous post, I will be posting through that blog for awhile, but I will always be linking it to Luana Ola. If you have any requests (yoga related or not, either way is great!), please let me know in the comment section!

Luana ola!

"If the thought of practicing yoga is intimidating to you, or if you just want to change up your yoga routine, try adding a partner to practice with you!

Partner yoga can be such a fun and new experience to try with a friend or loved one.  This type of practice brings a sense of connectedness between yourself and the other person.  It can strengthen relationships by building bonds and breaking boundaries. 

The really cool thing about partner yoga is that it changes up the routine of yoga and adds a whole new dimension! You will feel your body in a whole new way and come to find that the postures you might have been doing for years is completely different with someone's assistance. The important thing to remember when practicing partner yoga is to try to breathe in rhythm with each other so that both of your energy’s connect and you can feel the bond.

Some postures to try:

• Downward facing dog with one partner either pushing or pulling lightly on the hips.  This will create a space in the lower back and shoulders that you could not experience alone.
• Boat pose with your feet touching your partner’s and if you are flexible enough, you can hold hands.
• Dancer pose, reaching the extended arm towards each other; maybe even touch hands! It really makes you feel the stretching and strengthening that occurs in your legs.
• If you are not yet comfortable practicing a supported headstand on your own, try it with your partner in front of you as support.  This way, you know that if you lose your balance, he or she is there to catch you before you fall.  Come to think of it, isn't that what great friendships and relationships are for?

In addition to the wonderful benefits you receive physically, this would be a wonderful idea to incorporate into assisted living homes. As human beings, we need the sense of touch on a daily basis. Something about this sense brightens the energy within our bodies and we feel more happy, more alive. Having partner yoga and deep breathing can really help people feel more at ease, connected, and happy.

Try it out during this month of love.

Namaste.