The Best Yoga Poses for Creating More Energy

January 04, 2018

We may think of yoga as relaxing, but yoga is truly a fitness challenging technique for people of all ages.

Practicing yoga does help you relax, but it also creates energy.

Physically, yoga can range from a gentle to rigorous workout. Yoga postures (asanas) clear blockages or stagnation that may be slowing you down.

Specific yoga poses can invigorating, increasing circulation and breaking up lactic acid that contribute to fatigue.

Furthermore, yoga is a key detoxification therapy that helps eliminate toxins and clear negative emotions that drain your energy.

The Best Yoga Poses For Creating More Energy

Note: If you’re pregnant or are recovering from injuries or illness, consult with your physician before practicing these poses.

Warrior Pose (Virabhadrasana):

This is a very energizing pose to start your day. It strengthens and tones all the muscles of your body, especially your legs and core muscles.

It gently opens your hips and shoulders, and can really help people with frozen shoulder or who sit a lot for work. There are numerous warrior poses to try.

Here’s one Warrior pose I like:

Stand straight with your legs apart a few feet (or to where you are comfortable). Breathe mindfully through your nose, in and out.

Start your lunge. Turn your right foot out by 90 degrees. Turn your left foot in by 15 degrees. Lift your arms sidewise to your shoulders, with your palms facing up.

Turn your head to the right and bend your right knee, taking care that your knee and ankle remain in a straight line.

Practice the pose for 30 seconds to a minute before returning to a standing pose. Repeat the same lunge on the left side.

The Cobra (Bhujangasana):

The Cobra is an important part of the Sun Salutation pose series, one of the most vigorous yoga sequences for energy. The Cobra pose stretches the spine, and lengthens your back and arms.

This is an important pose for people who hunch over at their desks or who have blocked heart energy. Cobra opens your chest and heart, improving breath and blood flow.

To practice this pose:

Lie down on your stomach on a yoga mat. Keep your legs together. Place the palms of your hands in front of you flat on the mat to support your torso.

Inhale mindfully, carefully raising your head and chest as high as they will go, comfortably. Tighten your gluteal muscles and keep your pelvis flat on the mat.

Inhale and exhale a few times before returning back down to a resting position. Do Cobra a few times, slowly increasing the stretch if you’re able to do so comfortably.

Note: Avoid this pose if you have carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Tree (Vrikshasana):

This pose definitely challenges your balance and the stability of your legs. The Tree stretches the muscles in your back, arms and legs.

It’s a great pose for people who have low back or sciatic pain. It builds knee strength, stretches the ligaments of the feet, and improves mental energy and self-confidence.

To practice this pose:

Start in standing position on a yoga mat with your hands on your hips. Bend the right knee, placing your right foot on the inside of your left thigh. Take care to keep your hips even.

Reach your arms up to sky with your hands in prayer position. (If this is too difficult, bring your arms together in front of your chest instead). Repeat with the left leg. Try to hold each side for about 1 minute.

Find Your Asana

Today, more than 12 million Americans practice yoga. Yoga is a powerful tool for health. Physicians, chiropractors, massage therapists and physical therapists all routinely recommend yoga to their clients.

Yoga boosts circulation and metabolism through deep breathing and asana postures. A regular yoga practice brings more prana (life force) into all parts of the body for enhanced mental clarity, physical energy, and emotional balance.

References:

 

Warrior pose: Virabhadrasana. (2016). Retrieved from Art of Living,
http://www.artofliving.org/us-en/yoga/yoga-poses/warrior-pose-virbhadrasana
Yoga for energy. (2014). Retrieved from Yoga Journal,
http://www.yogajournal.com/category/poses/yoga-by-benefit/energyAlpert, Y. (2015, August). Surya Namaskar is all you need, study shows. Retrieved from Yoga Journal, http://www.yogajournal.com/beginners/yoga-benefits-from-surya-namaskar/
Bruno, G. (2015, July). What are the benefits of warrior in yoga. Retrieved from Livestrong,
http://www.livestrong.com/article/419882-what-are-the-benefits-of-warriors-in-yoga/
Cobra pose: Bhujangasana. (2016). Retrieved from Art of Living,
http://www.artofliving.org/us-en/yoga/yoga-poses/cobra-pose-bhujangasana
Glenton, J. (2016). Increase your energy. Retrieved from Health and Fitness Travel,
www.healthandfitnesstravel.com/advice/topics/increase-your-energy/increase-your-energy-justine-glenton/
Gregoire, C. (2013, July). Yoga for energy: 10 poses to fight fatigue. Retrieved from Huffington Post, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/07/yoga-energy-fatigue_n_3536173.html
The health benefits of Vrikshasana tree pose. (2010, Oct). Retrieved from Cny Healing Arts,

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