The new year is a time for fresh starts and new beginnings. It’s the perfect opportunity to reset your goals, focus on your well-being, and cultivate a healthy mind and body. If you’re looking for ways to boost your energy and improve your mental health in 2024, yoga is a great place to start.
The Benefits of Yoga for Overall Wellness
Yoga has been practised for centuries for its physical and mental health benefits. Some of the well-documented benefits of yoga include:
- Reduced stress and anxiety
- Improved mood and depression
- Increased sleep quality
- Enhanced cognitive function
- Improved flexibility and balance
- Reduced pain and inflammation
- Strengthened cardiovascular health
- Simple yoga Asanas to jumpstart your New Year
If you’re new to yoga, don’t worry! There are many beginner-friendly yoga poses that you can do at home. Here are a few simple Asanas to get you started:
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Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutations)
Surya Namaskar is a series of 12 yoga poses that flow together in a rhythmic sequence. It’s a great way to warm up your body, improve your circulation, and energize your mind.
How to do it:
- Stand tall with your feet hip-width apart and your hands by your sides.
- Inhale and raise your arms overhead, reaching towards the sun.
- Exhale and bend forward, folding your hands beneath your chin.
- Inhale and step back into a lunge position with your right foot behind you.
- Exhale and lower your body down to the ground, coming into a plank position.
- Lower your chest and knees to the ground for a Chaturanga pose.
- Push back up into an upward-facing dog pose.
- Inhale and step your left foot forward next to your right foot.
- Exhale and fold forward again.
- Inhale and raise your arms overhead, reaching towards the sun.
- Exhale and lower your arms to your sides.
- Repeat this sequence 5-10 times.
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Tadasana (Mountain Pose)
Tadasana may seem simple, but it’s the foundation for all other yoga poses. It helps to improve your posture, balance, and core strength.
How to do it:
- Stand tall with your feet hip-width apart and your toes pointing forward.
- Press your feet evenly into the ground.
- Engage your core and lengthen your spine.
- Roll your shoulders back and down.
- Relax your arms and let them hang by your sides.
- Close your eyes or gaze softly in front of you.
- Hold for 5-10 breaths.
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Vrksasana (Tree Pose)
Vrksasana is a balancing pose that helps to improve your concentration, coordination, and focus.
How to do it:
- Stand tall with your feet hip-width apart.
- Shift your weight to your left foot.
- Bend your right knee and place the sole of your right foot on your left inner thigh, calf, or ankle.
- Find your balance and lift your left foot off the ground.
- Extend your left leg out to the side or keep it bent with your foot resting on your right thigh.
- Engage your core and keep your hips square.
- Hold for 5-10 breaths.
- Repeat on the other side.
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Shavasana (Corpse Pose)
Shavasana is a relaxation pose that helps to reduce stress and anxiety. It’s the perfect way to end your yoga practice.
How to do it:
- Lie on your back with your legs extended and your arms by your sides.
- Close your eyes and focus on your breath.
- Relax your body and let go of any tension.
- Stay in this pose for 5-10 minutes.