4 Yoga Poses For Beginners

By Jaryd Jordy

To many of us, first things that come to memory when they hear about "yoga," is a representation of sore looking and challenging poses.

1. Mountain Pose - Tadasana

Yoga is all about being aware of your stretching. It's about feeling your muscles and breath when posing, so even a pose as simple as Mountain Pose presents its own unique challenge. In the context of yoga, this pose involves planting down your heels six inches apart, with leg muscles firm but not tense, back shoulders aligned with the hips, and neck loose but straight.

Mountain pose is the foundation of all other standing poses, and the key to getting it right is proper breathing-slow and steady is how it goes

2. Warrior I - Virbhadrasana I

Warrior I is a low lunge pose, with your legs positioned forward toward the edge of the mat. Keep your left foot flat, toes facing forward, and inhale as you bring your chest up, with arms raised to the ceiling.

2. Warrior I Posture or Virbhadrasana I

The key to doing Warrior I properly is to keep your hips square and facing forward. A good rule of thumb is to check whether they're parallel to front side of your mat-you may have to widen your stance a bit to maintain your balance. You can place your feet or hands against a wall to strengthen your body awareness.

3. Downward-Facing Dog - Adho Mukha Svanasana

Easily one of yoga's most famous poses, start by placing both hands firmly on the front of your mat, palms down, fingers out-be sure to keep them half a foot forward from your shoulders. Keep your knees below your hips and lift them away from the floor as you exhale, raising your hips and rear toward the ceiling. Stretch out your thighs and try to touch your heels to the floor-beginners will encounter resistance here, but that's perfectly fine. Be sure to keep your head aligned with your arms, and not hanging down.

Although a perfect downward-facing dog takes time to master, beginners can focus on keeping their backs straight while holding the pose-the key is to keep a straight spine. And don't forget to breathe!

4. Child's Pose - Balasana

Bring your shoulders and head down to the floor, with your arms stretched out forward along your sides, hands and fingers outstretched. Focus on your breathing and relax, taking time to feel your back stretched out.

For more yoga poses to try out, go to Online Yoga Poses, your online authority for all things yoga.

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