Beginner Yoga Positions

Yoga is not just about physical discipline, but also about mental discipline that originated in India. The different yoga poses, which are practiced have their origin in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. The word Yoga comes from the Sanskrit language. The root word of yoga is 'yuj', which stands for 'to control', 'to unite'. When translated yoga also means joining, uniting, etc. In simple terms yoga stands for uniting the physical body with the mental body. There are different yoga poses called Asanas, which are practiced for the same. The intensity of the different Asanas differ from one another. Only after regular practice should one shift over to the advanced yoga poses, till then one should practice the basic yoga poses. Let's see which are they.

Yoga Positions for Beginners

Before you start with the beginner yoga workout, make sure you have spoken to your health care professional about the same. There can be certain yoga poses, which may not be the best ones for your health. While doing the yoga positions if you feel kind of pain, make it a point to stop immediately. If you continue to do the poses wrong, chances are high that you will cause more harm than good. Having said, that let's see the basic yoga poses.

Downward Facing Dog
The Sanskrit name of this yoga pose is Adho Mukha Svanasana. To do this yoga pose, come down on your fours, such that your hips are placed exactly under the hips and hands and a little ahead of the shoulders. Spread the fingers and toes and curl the toes under. Slowly lift up, bend your knees a little and lengthen the tailbone. Lift the sits bone towards the ceiling. Push into both the hands equally and keep the mount of the index pressing on to the floor. Hold the position for a few seconds, before you come back to the starting position.

Tree Pose
Vrksasana is a beginner pose. It is a balancing pose and helps to strengthen the legs. To do this standing yoga pose, stand straight with hip width distance between your feet. Slowly shift your weight to the right foot and lift the left foot off the floor. Bend the left leg in the knee and place the left foot on the inner thigh of the right leg. Bring your hands into a prayer position with the fingers spread. Focus on an unmoving object for sometime and slowly release. Repeat the same on the other side as well.

Cobra Pose
This yoga pose is a backbend exercise, which helps to increase the flexibility of the spine. It can also be used to relieve back pain. Lie down on your stomach and place your hands next to your chest. Slowly roll your shoulders back and lift your chest off the floor with your elbows bending. Make sure your neck is in neutral position. Hold the position for a few seconds and then release.

Bridge Pose
This yoga pose is often a part of the beginners yoga routine. The Sanskrit name of this yoga exercise is Setu Bandha Sarvangasana. This is also a backbend, which helps to strengthen the spine, opens the chest, stimulates the thyroid gland and also improves flexibility in the spine. To do this pose lie down on your back. Bend your knees and place the feet closer to your buttocks. Your hands should be placed next to the buttocks. Make sure your knees are not wide apart and slowly lift your buttocks towards the sky. Bring your hands closer to one another, interlace the fingers, straighten the arms and press them down onto the ground. Hold the position and then release your hands before you lower your body.

Before you do the beginner yoga positions, do the yoga warm up. The different positions should not be done, when the body is not warmed up, as it can cause injury. Like I have mentioned previously, if you notice any kind of pain, stop the exercise immediately, lest it can cause injury.