Practicing and nailing a specifc yoga pose can really make you feel powerful. It’s no surprise as yoga can help build core strength, helps your mental clarity, improves your stability and stamina and strengthens your body.
Below are four different poses – at varying degrees of difficulty – that our members have tackled (can we just take a second to say, wow you guys rock!). Everyone looks so strong and powerful – the ultimate accomplishment!
Please practice these powerful poses at your own discretion.
Warrior II (Virabhadrasana II)
This pose will no doubt make you feel powerful (it’s name has warrior in it after all), while stretching your hips and opening your chest and lungs. To perform this pose follow these steps:
- Turn your front toes to the wall and bend your front knee directly over the ankle.
- Turn the hips and the shoulders towards the front and reach out through the fingertips. Turn and look at the middle finger.
- Sink the hips down, and reach the crown of the head up to lengthen the spine. Relax the shoulders down and back, pressing the chest forward.
@nicolekirchner_nurturewell
Crescent Lunge Twist (Anjaneyasana)
This pose strengthens and stretches the legs, knees and ankles. It also stretches the groin, spine chest and shoulders. It will help improve your digestion and balance and increase stamina. To perform this pose follow these steps:
- Bring your right foot forward to the inside your right hand. Bend your right knee so your calf and thigh make a right angle with your thigh parallel to the floor.
- Pivot on the ball of your left foot to drop your left heel down to the floor.
- Bring your hands together at the center of your body. Draw your belly button toward your spine as you twist your torso toward your right knee, stacking the left shoulder on top of the right.
@dwcooper
One-Legged King Pigeon (Eka Pada Rajakapotasana)
If you want a challenge look no further! One-Legged King Pigeon pose stretches the thighs, groin and abdomen while relieving tension in the chest and shoulders. Perfect for those with tight hips! To perform this pose follow these steps:
- Begin in Downward-Facing Dog. Bring your right knee between your hands, placing your right ankle near your left wrist. Extend your left leg behind you so the top of your foot rests on the floor.
- Press through your fingertips as you lift your torso away from your thigh. Release your tailbone back toward your heels.
- Draw down through your front-leg shin and balance your weight evenly between your right and left hips. Flex your front foot. Press down through the tops of all five toes of the back foot.
@namaste_mamaslay
Tripod Headstand (Sirsasana II)
This pose may look intimidating, but like everything it just takes practice. And what better way to feel a sense of empowerment than accomplishing something out of your comfort zone? If you’re up for the challenge the tripod headstead will help strengthen your core while stretching your abdominal muscles and leg muscles. This pose will also enhance your mental awarness, boosting your self-esteem and confidence. To perform this pose follow these steps:
- Being on your hands and knees. To set up for tripod, build a triangle with your hands at the base and your head, keeping your knees on the ground. Your arms should be bent at a 90-degree angle, with your elbows directly over your wrists and in line with your shoulders. Keep your neck long.
- Tuck your toes and lift your knees off the ground. Slowly walk your feet toward your hands until you can rest your knees on your triceps. Lift your feet off the ground.
- Pull your heels toward your butt and squeeze your knees together. You should start to feel your knees float up off of your triceps
- Unround your tailbone, as you reach your feet toward the sky. Hold for a couple of breaths or up to a minute.
- To release, bend at the hips and knees, bringing your knees back to your triceps and releasing your feet to the floor.
@alleykayd