We’re all feeling a bit stressed these days, but we have a great list of beginner yoga poses to help you relax and unwind. Stress isn’t enjoyable; it can take a toll on both your emotions and physical health.
Stress is everywhere—at work, in the car, at home, and online. If this resonates with you, it might be time to roll out your yoga mat and start practicing. Yoga can help you relax, and there’s plenty of research to support this. Studies indicate that yoga encourages the production of a neurotransmitter called GABA, which can help you feel more at ease.
GABA calms you similarly to alcohol but without the unpleasant side effects. Scientists believe that the combination of breathing, stretching, and meditation in yoga contributes to increased GABA levels. However, not all yoga poses are designed for relaxation; while they all benefit your well-being, some serve different purposes.
You can practice poses that enhance strength, balance, flexibility, and even boost your energy. Many poses are specifically intended to help you unwind.
After an intense yoga session, sinking into Child’s Pose feels heavenly. This nourishing pose offers numerous benefits, including its comforting and relaxing nature. It aids digestion by massaging the belly as you breathe and also opens the hips while stretching the lower back.
Child’s Pose is a primary resting position in Hatha yoga, allowing you to take a break and recharge. It serves as a gentle reminder to relax and breathe.
Here’s how to do it:
This passive, supported pose is excellent for calming the mind and is very beginner-friendly—no complicated twists involved!
Legs Up the Wall Pose stretches the back of the legs and gives tired feet a well-deserved rest. It’s also beneficial for draining excess fluid and improving circulation, counteracting the effects of sitting all day.
Here’s how to do it:
When stressed, many of us tend to hunch our shoulders, instinctively protecting our heart space. Among the various spinal twist poses in yoga, the Supine Spinal Twist is the most relaxing. It’s easier to unwind when lying down.
This pose opens the shoulders and chest while lengthening the back muscles. It can also aid digestion due to the “wringing” motion involved.
Here’s how to do it:
The Reclining Bound Angle Pose, also known as Cobbler’s Pose, is a wonderful hip and abdomen opener that promotes relaxation. You may not realize how much tension you hold in your hips until you release it.
If you sit at a desk all day, this pose will feel fantastic after a long workday. It enhances digestion and can alleviate menstrual cramps. If things feel a bit dull in the bedroom, this pose can help reignite passion by opening your sexual center, connecting you with your sensual side.
Here’s how to do it:
If you enjoyed these beginner poses and are unsure how to establish a regular yoga practice, consider checking out our Yoga Fat Loss Bible for Beginners!
It’s a fantastic resource for those looking to lose weight, increase flexibility, and relieve aches and pains through a calming yoga practice. It also includes a free meditation guide for beginners to help you release worries and reduce stress and anxiety.
The guide features detailed instructions and beginner modifications, along with a 6-Week Workout Plan suitable for any beginner!
Click here to explore the Yoga Fat Loss Bible!
Always remember, the hardest part of doing yoga is simply showing up. Make sure to show up today and give your best effort to this workout—you deserve it!
If you found this article on beginner yoga poses for relaxation helpful or have any questions, feel free to leave them in the comments below!