“The best thing to hold onto in life is each other.” – Audrey Hepburn. The manifestation of the quote is amplified if you inculcate the same through yoga. The ancient art form which took birth thousands of years ago is probably one of the best ways to nurture love, sympathy, intimacy and a strong bond between two people.
Practicing yoga with a partner comes with endless benefits, some of which include increased trust, enhanced communication, better bonding and more.
It is like a new experience where you and your partner can enjoy the company of each other without the need to head off to exotic holidays or vacations. It gives you wonderful moments and you learn to stay and enjoy in the present.
You let go of all the thoughts occupying your mind and just take in what is available to you in the present. It is a delightful feeling where you spend some quality time not only doing yoga but also, laughing, embracing and loving each other. Sounds interesting right?
Well, here’s a look at 5 couple yoga poses that you can surely try with your partner and bring more joy and happiness into your relationship.
Ardha Matsyendrasana (Seated Twist)
- Both you and your partner should sit in a cross-legged position with your backs facing each other.
- Take a deep breath and raise your arms above and while exhaling twist to the right.
- As you twist, bring the right hand on the left knee of your partner.
- Take the left hand to your right knee.
- Let your partner mirror you.
- Stay in the position for at least a couple of minutes and twist to the other side to continue.
Uttanasana (Standing Forward Fold)
- Both you and your partner need to stand in Mountain pose with your backs facing each other.
- There should be a gap of a few inches between you and your partner.
- Take a deep breath and raise your arms upwards.
- While exhaling, fold forward such that your chest meets your thighs.
- Now hold the elbow or hand of your partner while staying down.
- Take a few breaths together and gently come out of the pose.
Adho Mukha Vrksasana (L-Shaped Handstand)
- The idea of this pose is to form an ‘L’ shape with the help of your bodies.
- One of you needs to sit in Dandasana while the other person would perform a handstand supported by the person sitting in Dandasana.
- While sitting in Dandasana, the person will assist in lifting the leg of the person doing the handstand.
- Keep the cores engaged and keep smiling throughout the pose.
- Hold the position for a couple of minutes and slowly come out of it.
- Once done, rest in Balasana for a minute.
Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward and Backbends)
- Sit cross-legged with your backs against each other.
- Now take a deep breath, raise the arms and while exhaling fold forward.
- While you are going deeper into this pose, let your partner slowly bend backward and lie on your back.
- Both of you should be in a comfortable position and the arms of your partner should relax by the side while resting in your back.
- Gently come out of the pose and repeat it the same way by exchanging the asanas.
Paripura Navasana (Boat Pose)
- Sit in a relaxed way facing your partner.
- Now while sitting, bend your legs from the knees such that the feet of your partner touch yours.
- Grab each other’s hand and keep the chest open and spine straight.
- Now slowly begin to straighten out your legs by drawing the knees close to the chest.
- Stay in the position for at least one minute and gently release.
Yoga with a partner is more fun than you can imagine. Since you are practicing it with someone very close, there are no inhibitions or restrictions that you may feel while practicing with others. At times you’ll stumble and fall and make a good laugh out of it and that’s probably the best part of doing yoga with your partner. So, grab your mat now and enjoy!!!
Bipin Baloni is a passionate yogi, yoga teacher and traveler of India. He is currently working with Rishikul Yogshala. The Yoga Alliance affiliated school organizes a number of yoga events, such as yoga teacher training in India, yoga teacher training in Nepal, yoga workshops, retreats, pranayama training, Ayurveda courses in Kerala and more.
Leave a reply