The summer solstice is just around the corner, the perfect time of year to welcome in the idea of new beginnings, embracing positive change, reflecting on your past and setting new intentions for the weeks and months ahead… and yoga is absolutely perfect for helping you navigate all this.
Not sure where to start? Here are just three beautiful yoga poses that will open you up, mind, body and soul.
We’d love to hear how you get on – so drop us a line to let us know. Or, better yet, come and say hi in person at our lovely London yoga studio. We’d love to welcome you through the doors!
Pigeon pose
Pigeon pose, and its common version: One-Legged King Pigeon Pose (Eka Pada Rajakapotasana), is one of those stretches that just feels so good, no matter what your level of flexibility – and it’s perfect for releasing stagnant emotions and tension.
Always work within your own range of motion, of course, and listen to your body as you hold the position, but you’re sure to feel a beautiful opening up in the hips and lower back the longer you sit in pigeon.
Side note: It feels particularly good going into pigeon from a downward dog, so work on this if you’re looking for a variation. Other alternatives include support under the hip or doing a Figure Four instead.
Cat to cow
A really lovely movement that anyone can do is cat to cow (Cat Pose – Marjaryasana, Cow Pose – Bitilasana), where you ripple through your body in time with your breath. It’s a wonderful way to connect with yourself more deeply and a brilliant method of meditation that will leave you feeling very relaxed after a few cycles of breath.
Cat to cow helps awaken the body after periods of stillness, stimulating the breath by rippling the spine, awakening the nervous system and reconnecting to the body. For variations, consider positioning blocks under your hands or making the movement in a seated position.
Bow pose
To really open up your body and your mind, give the Bow Pose (Dhanurasana) a go, or the half bow pose if you’re looking for something less intense.
This is a powerful heart opener that energises the front body, grounding through the pelvis and breath into the chest to deepen a sense of expansion. For variations, consider using a strap or belt.
As ever, always tailor your yoga practice to suit your body and never force yourself into a pose. Yoga is a wonderfully personal pursuit – which is why so many of us love it!
If you’d like to join us for a seasonal flow, we have a Summer Pass offer at the moment, with two months of unlimited access in person and online until July 10th.