The great thing about yoga is that it can be both energizing and calming at the same time. Energizing yoga poses are a fabulous alternative to other common energy boosters like coffee or energy drinks without the yucky effects of caffeine and high sugar.
The best feedback I receive at the end of my classes is when students tell me it feels like they got a massage but they’re awake and ready to tackle the rest of their day.
By breathing deeply from your belly in yoga poses, you activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps calm you down.
This is why you can be working really hard but still feel calm after you rise from your Savasana at the end of class. If you learn how to breathe correctly and activate your parasympathetic nervous system, you’ll be able to better control your emotions.
This is also why practicing standing poses is so great to help pick you up from an afternoon slump or wake you up when you’re feeling really tired in the middle of a busy day.
Craft your practice
A couple weeks ago I shared a short yoga practice that is great as a mid-day break. This week, I’m adding on to that mid-day break with three standing poses.
Warrior 2, Extended Side Angle and Revere Warrior are all standard yoga poses that you’ll find in most Vinyasa and Power Yoga classes. You can think of these as core poses that make up a standard yoga class.
These poses require you to have strong legs, a strong core, and open hips and upper body. These poses stretch the side of the body and help you take deeper, longer breaths. These poses are all-around power poses to help you wake up, feel your body, and breathe better.
So, if you only have 10 minutes or less and you need a quick pick-me-up of energy without the negative side effects of caffeine or energy drinks, try these 3 poses in the video below.
If you have about 20 minutes, try combining the more mellow Yoga Practice 2 I shared a couple weeks ago with the Yoga Practice 3 today for an extra shot of feel-goodness.
Keep this video in your favorites and come back to it anytime you need that energy boost to get you through the rest of the day with a clear, calm, and confident mind and body.
