What are Good Yoga Poses for your Posture?

What are Good Yoga Poses for your Posture?

Slouching over a smartphone, sitting at a desk all day, or even just things in your everyday life can negatively affect your posture. It’s easy to not have correct posture and not be aware of it. Poor posture can result in back pain, aches in your neck, and loss of energy. Following these 4 yoga poses will help you correct that.

Poses that will help your posture:

1.  Tadasana (Mountain Pose)

Tadasana is really how we should be standing all the time, so if you can do this pose in correct alignment with ease, your posture is probably already pretty good! It can be difficult for some people because your whole body has to be engaged and years of standing incorrectly can make this harder.

To Do This Pose:  

Stand with your feet about hip distance apart and parallel to each other, with your toes spread and pointing forward. Keep your shoulders wide and relaxed. Align your head so your chin is parallel to the floor, and the crown of your head is directly over the center of your pelvis.

Raise your arms over your head, keeping them shoulder-width apart. Be sure to keep your shoulders relaxed and down away from your ears. Hold for 1 minute.

2. Vrksasana (Tree Pose)

A slumped over posture makes balancing poses very difficult, as when we slouch our body weight tends to carry us forward.

To Do This Pose:

Stand up straight and shift your balance onto your right foot. Place the sole of your left foot on your calf or inner thigh, if you can. Once you feel balanced, raise your hands to your chest in Namaste. Hold for 1 minute and repeat on the other side.

3. Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog)

Adho Mukha Svnanasana is a great pose for improving your posture, as it stretches and lengthens the spine and opens your shoulders, thus reversing that rounded, hunched over look. It may take some practice while getting into this pose, if your heels are raised from the ground, it’s okay but just remember to keep your back straight.

To do this pose:

From tabletop position (which is on your hands and knees), tuck your toes, straighten your legs and lift your hips toward the ceiling. Adjust your hands forward a bit if necessary and spread your fingers. Keep your spine long, and your head and neck in line with your spine. Hold for 1 minute.

4. Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)

Bhujangasana and half bhujangasana gently stretch the spine and open the chest, reversing rounded shoulders and upper backs.

To Do This Pose:

Lying on your stomach, engage your back muscles to lift your head and upper torso. Align your elbows underneath your shoulders for support. Look straight ahead and hold for 1 minute.

If you practice these yoga poses every day they will help with bettering your posture which will reduce aches and pains.

At Adica Massage Clinic we offer yoga classes. We also offer therapeutic massage, couple’s massage, hot stone massage and more. We offer a variety of different lengths anywhere from 30 minutes up to a 2-hour massage. Contact us today with any questions or to book an appointment!

Brandi Riddoch