YOGA: WIND DOWN POSES 🌚

August 15, 2021

YOGA PAIRING

try the campfire essential oil blend with these relaxing poses

4 parts Sweet Orange, 2 parts Frankincense, & 1 part Ginger

A scent as old as time, the aroma of a campfire inspired this combination! This blend is intended to create grounding effects that inspire you to look inward, while also strengthening the immune system, and promoting healthy cellular turnover.

Try pairing the campfire essential oil blend with these yoga poses in the evening to wind down from the day.

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1. Mindful Breathing

Sit or lie down comfortably, and breathe in deeply and fully. Close your eyes and focus on your breath. Breathe in to the count of 5, completely filling the lungs, and out to the count of 7, completely emptying the lungs. Let the worries of the day flow out with each exhale carrying anything that no longer serves you.

Breathe in... 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Breathe out... 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.

2. Standing Forward Bend (Uttanasana)

Fold forward and dangle your upper body to release any tension from the day. With each inhalation in the pose, lift and lengthen the front torso just slightly; with each exhalation release a little more fully into the forward bend. You can hold onto your elbows and gently bounce or sway to loosen up.

This pose soothes anxiety and alleviates headaches.

3(a). Restorative Childs Pose (Balasana)

Gently push your hips back toward your heels and separate your knees wider than your hips. Place a pillow or blanket between your legs and fold over it - like you're hugging the pillow. Let the body soften, let the tension be released, and draw your awareness inward.

This pose calms the brain and helps relieve stress and fatigue.

3(b). Melting Heart Pose (Anahatasana)

For a deeper fold, ditch the pillow! From all fours, walk the hands forward and melt your heart towards the Earth. Keep your hips in line with your knees, place the forehead down and allow yourself to soften. Let your heart expand with each breath.

This is a great pose for opening the heart!

4. Supine Spinal Twist (Supta Matsyendrasana)

Lying on your back, bring your arms out to the sides in a T position. Bend one knee and cross it outside of the opposite foot, twisting the spine and low back. Keep both shoulders squared and rooted to the earth. Look over your opposite hand to create a twist. Close your eyes and relax. Repeat on other side.

This pose lengthens, relaxes, and realigns the spine.

5. Bridge Pose (Setu Bandha Sarvangasana)

Lie on your back with your knees bent, feet flat, hip-width apart, heels directly below your knees. Hands alongside the body, palms facing down. Press the feet into the ground and gently lift the hips towards the sky. Slowly roll the spine back to the earth as you come out of this pose.

This pose improves circulation and stretches the chest, neck, spine and hips.

6. Reclined Butterfly Pose (Supta Baddha Konasana)

Lay on your back, bend both knees, and bring the soles of the feet together. Allow the knees to fall out to the side, making a diamond shape with the legs. Let the hands either rest by your side or on your heart for energy stimulation.

Helps relieve the symptoms of stress, mild depression, menstruation and menopause.