Boost your energy with these five yoga postures

 “Boost Your Energy with These 5 Yoga Exercises”

Love your morning coffee but tired of the jitters and sleepless nights? When that second or third cup feels tempting, consider these energizing yoga exercises instead. They’ll give you the boost you need without the negative side effects.

Kapalabhati Pranayama (Skull Shining Breath)

A diaphragmatic breathing technique to stimulate energy.

Best learned with a certified teacher. Avoid during heavy menstruation, pregnancy, high blood pressure, or abdominal issues.

 

• Sit comfortably, lengthening your spine.
• Focus on a point, gaze softly.
• Relax your hands on your thighs.
• Perform short exhales through the nose, contracting abdominal muscles.
• Take recovery breaths if needed.
• Work up to 30 short exhales, taking recovery breaths between rounds.

Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog):

An energizing inversion with multiple benefits.

Avoid if you have wrist, elbow, or shoulder issues, last trimester of pregnancy, or high blood pressure.

• Start in child’s pose (Balasana).
• Move to hands and knees, walk hands forward.
• Engage core, lift knees, and tailbone toward the sky.
• Keep feet hip-distance apart and parallel.
• Hold for 10 breath cycles, focusing on maintaining a 4-second inhale and exhale.

Plank

Strengthens the entire body, especially the abdominals.

Avoid if you have lower back or abdominal issues or are pregnant.

• Shift from downward dog to upper push plank pose.
• Keep shoulders stacked or slightly forward of wrists.
• Engage core, straighten the body, and hold for 5-10 breaths.
• Lower knees for modifications.
• Repeat as needed.

Bhujangasana (Cobra):

Strengthens the back and triceps.

Transition from plank pose, avoid if you have shoulder issues.

• Lower knees, shoulders forward of wrists.
• Inhale, peel chest off the floor using back and triceps strength.
• Exhale, lower slowly down.
• Repeat with controlled breath.

 Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward Fold):

A seated forward fold to cool down.

Support your lower back if rounded, tilt pelvis slightly forward.

• Sit with legs extended.
• Inhale to lengthen the spine.
• Exhale, hinge at the hip crease, and reach hands toward shins, ankles, or feet.
• Focus on breath and intention without forcing the posture.

So  Next time the coffee urge hits, give these yoga exercises a try. They’ll not only provide the energy boost you seek but also contribute to your overall well-being. Remember to listen to your body and modify as needed. Happy practicing!