Yoga with your Valentine

Valentine’s Day is the time for rekindling the bonds of love and affection. It is a reminder that this is an important part of our life and to stoke feelings of love forever in case we have forgotten amidst all the noise of daily life. Dedicating this day to your loved one will bring much joy and happiness.  Some popular ways to spend time together are having a special dinner, watching a good movie, spending time outdoors etc. Another option is to do couples yoga, which can be a very fulfilling activity.

Doing yoga together deepens the practice for both involved.  It opens up channels of communication and builds deeper level of trust, both of which are essential ingredients for a wonderful lifelong relationship.

This Valentine’s Day, think about doing couples yoga together, where you are breathing, stretching and moving the body in rhythm with each other. The health benefits are many, the time well spent, exercising and connecting with each other to rekindle the joys of being together.

Below are some yoga poses that you can try with your loved one.

Spinal Twist

Sit in cross legged posture with your backs touching. Twist to the right and place your right hand on your partner’s thigh and rest the left hand on your knee. Inhale and exhale for 5 breaths and twist to the left. Repeat a few times.

Bound Angle

Sit back to back in a cross legged posture. Take a few breaths. Uncross the legs and bring the soles of your feet together and rest your palms gently on the floor. One partner starts to lean back as the other partner is gently pushed forward into a forward bend. Breathe slowly and be in that pose for 5 breaths.  Repeat the same with the other partner in a forward bend pose. Repeat a few times.

Assisted back bend

Stand back-to-back with elbows hooked.  One partner bends their knees, engages their core, and starts to lean forward as the other partner leans back and is in resting position on the partner’s back. Hold for 5 breaths and switch position. Repeat a few times.

Dancer pose

Stand facing one another and hold each other’s right hand. Bend and lift the left knee and grab inside of left calf or ankle with left hand. Lift leg until a gentle pressure is felt in the shin. Keep the back straight.  Gaze at each other. Hold for 5 breaths, release the pose and switch legs and this time while holding each other’s left hand.  Repeat a few times.

Shavasana Neck Massage

One partner lies down in Shavasana, lie with feet slight more than shoulder distance apart and arms relaxed to sides. The partner places hands at the back of resting partner’s neck  Massage the neck. Take middle fingers to the ridge of partner B’s skull and lean back a bit to lengthen spine. Release the hands. Switch positions.