want to share with you some poses that I hope will help you find a moment of stillness and calm when you need it the most and remember it’s ok to take time out to breathe, take some time out and just do you. I think if lockdown has taught us anything, is that life is too short to feel rushed and stress again.
If you’re still feeing unsure, try this cool little deck of yoga poses for more guidance. CLICK HERE to find out more.
What patience means for me in yoga:
For me, patience is a key mental emotion to embody both inside and outside of your practice. Having patience with yourself and being ok if your practice doesn’t go to plan (we don’t feel the same every day, and that’s ok!) Patience with the people around you and taking that pause in life if things start to get a bit too much.
In yoga, there are plenty of postures that require us to have patience and peace of mind, and most importantly give us that moment to check in within and see where your patience lies.
Ask yourself these questions:
- Do we give ourselves the patience we need and teach ourselves to chill out?
- Are you trying to live life with patience that helps your physical and mental wellbeing?
Hopefully if the pandemic taught us anything, it’s having patience can give ourselves the time and had space we need. Where lives might have been too hectic or frantic, saying yes to everything and maybe getting burnt out - it's ok to say no.
Take a look at some of the key poses below that will help you find that patience you might be looking for.
Tree Pose (Vrksasana)
- Stand at the top of your mat, feet together. Ground your left leg so it feels heavy like cement (or the root of a tree).
- Inhale and bring your right knee up to your chest, hugging with both hands.
- Rotate your right thigh open, place place your left hand on your hip if you need support with balance.
- If this is too much of a challenge – bring your foot to your ankle or calf (just avoid placing it on your knee so there is no pressure on your joints).
- Ground down through your standing foot and push your right foot in and your left leg in, creating some tension between the two legs.
Extended Triangle Pose (Utthita Trikonasana)
- Stand with your feet about 3-4 feet about, raise your arms parallel to the floor and reach them out to the sides.
- Turn your right foot out to a 90 degree angle and your left foot in slightly to a 45 degree angle. Inhale to lift everything up and as you exhale extend the top half of your body over your right leg, moving from the hip joint.
- Lower your right hand down to rest on your shin, foot, calf, outside of the right foot or wherever is comfortable.
- Stretch your left arm up, stacking the shoulder blades on top of each other and if you can gaze up to look at your left hand.
- Try and stay in this position for 30 seconds, and then try on the other side.
Half Moon Pose (Ardha Chandrasana)
- Start with your feet open 3-4 feet apart (like Triangle pose) with the right leg forward.
- Bend your right knee and bring your right hand to the floor in front of the right foot (use a prop or block if needed). Your left hand can be on your left hip at this stage.
- Start to straighten your right leg whilst lifting the back left leg, keeping it as straight as possible.
- Try to stack your hips and begin to lift your left arm up so it’s straight (if you can), and turn your gaze to look up at your left hand.
- Hold for 30 seconds and repeat on the other side.
Warrior 1 (Virabhadrasana I)
- Stand with your feet together, hands by your sides, and step your left foot back about 3-4 feet. Turn your back left foo in by about 45 degrees.
- Bend the front right knee so the thigh is parallel with the floor and as you inhale lift your arms up and over your head.
- The palms can be facing each other, or bring them together in a prayer position. Turn your gaze to look up or continuing looking forward.
Warrior 3 (Virabhadrasana III)
- Stand with your feet together, hands by your side. Bend your knees as if you are about to sit back on a chair and step your left foot back into a lunge position.
- Your right knee should be at a right angle to the floor.
- From here take an inhale and start to lift your arms up and forward and your left back leg up at the same time, starting to straighten the right knee (it can still have a slight bend in it).
- Imagine a pulling sensation, with your arms stretching forward and your leg back. The toes should be pointed down, as if you are pressing the sole of your foot against an imaginary wall behind you.
- Breath and as you exhale release to come to standing. Repeat on the other side.
If you’re looking for more in-depth guidance on how to start, get my free yoga e-books where I have pulled together my top tips and poses for anyone who is a beginner and wants more support.
For more beginner poses, or if you want a more in-depth practice and want to find out more, then you can sign up for one of my beginner yoga classes online by clicking here.
Or get in touch if you have any questions on this practice or anything else.
