Hey Yogis!

It’s November and I’m still recovering from surgery. Since I’m still sidelined from some of the yoga flows (no down dogs yet), I have been focusing more on standing and balancing poses.

Here’s a quick rundown of information on standing poses:

Why should we do standing poses?

Standing poses engage multiple muscle groups building strength and coordination as well as spine and hip flexibility, all of which become a foundation for stability in other poses. They encourage body awareness and a focus on alignment, which can lead to improved posture habits off the mat.

Standing poses are incorporated into most general yoga sessions as part of a well-rounded practice. Instructors will often use one or two (1-2) to form the basis of their vinyasa or yoga flow sequences.

Some yogis will incorporate dynamic callisthenic movements during standing pose work, while others will use the poses to center and ground themselves in preparation for meditation. Try both and see which one you prefer.

Tips for doing standing poses

Maintain steady, even breaths so that you remain calm and focused.

Engage your core muscles to help with stability and balance.

Pay attention to your body alignment to prevent strain or injury

Talk with your instructors if you have any questions about standing poses.

Posted in Yoga