Yoga Poses for Beginners

Standing poses, seated poses, balancing poses and backbends! Something we hear often at Blossom Yoga is how overwhelming it can be when you are new to yoga and you are met with the huge number of asanas available not to mention their complicated names. So today, we want to take you back to the basics with six yoga poses for beginners to help you kick ass in your first class.

Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana)

This beginner’s pose lengthens, strengthens and increases blood flow to the brain. It looks deceptively simple but it actually is a very powerful pose that works the whole body and requires lots of flexibility and stamina. Your hands and feet will push into the mat as you focus on lengthening your spine to the sky. One of the most popular beginner’s poses, you will almost certainly run into this one during your first class.

Upward Facing Dog (Urdhva Mukha Svanasana)

A great little pose for opening up the chest, the upward facing dog pose works on your upper body strength and is wonderful for toning the upper arms and shoulders. This backbend is perfect for stretching out the back and shoulders, great to counteract those long days sitting at a desk.

Seated Forward Fold (Paschimottanasana) 

This pose simply requires you to fold your upper body over your lower body in a seated position. Not only does it provide a yummy hamstring stretch it also is great for the lower back and releases any tension you may hold in this area.

Tree Pose (Vrksansana)

In your first class, you may come across a few balancing postures and tree pose is an easy one to start with.  This pose has a positive effect on your posture as well as your balance. Using your core as an anchor, you will bend your left leg and bring the foot to rest on your inner calf either above or below the knee joint. The higher you lift your leg and the longer you hold the pose, the bigger the challenge.

Warrior Pose (Virabhadrasana I)

 There are many variations of this pose but for beginners, Warrior One is an obvious choice. A great hip opener, the Warrior One involves stepping forward into a lunge increasing flexibility through the hips and lengthening the body as you reach your hands up to the sky. Tucking the tail bone under will help you not to over arch your back while performing the second half of this pose.

Child’s Pose (Bālāsana)

A superb pose for stretching out the hips and the spine, this pose is a great little stress reliever and provides the opportunity for relaxation and reflection throughout the class. Begin by kneeling and turning your knees out wide laying your body forward between them on the mat. Focus on pressing your hands into the mat and rest your forehead on the mat as you focus on your breathing.

Ready to try them out? All you need is a little confidence and your favourite yoga pants!