4 silly poses guaranteed to make you smile _ yoga international

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4 Silly Poses Guaranteed to Make You SmileBY Coral Lee (https://yogainternational.com/profile/123419) ON August 11, 2015

Chances are, you’re reading this at a desk; your eyebrows are probably

furrowed, shoulders creeped up by your ears. You're fighting your late-night

chocolate cravings with carrot sticks (nature's candy, right?).

You may have just typed “LOL” without actually laughing out loud.

It’s okay to be a serious person (and to take your practice seriously); but, for

serious—it’s okay not to be all the time.

We know you know all the good that yoga can do—its stress-relieving

(https://yogainternational.com/article/view/proof-that-yoga-works), heart-

helping (https://yogainternational.com/article/view/new-study-highlights-

yogas-cardiovascular-benefits), muscle-building

4 Silly Poses Guaranteed to Make You Smile | Yoga International https://yogainternational.com/article/view/4-silly-poses-guaranteed-to...

1 de 6 12/08/2015 13:47

Try throwing in one—or

all, you playful yogi,

you!—of these poses into

your next practice;

wherever, whenever,

however—don’t think

about it too much.

(https://yogainternational.com

/article/view/10-day-core-strength-

challenge), identity-crisis-solving


/article/view/become-your-own-

inner-witness) superpowers—but

how about the “less serious” benefits,

like simply allowing yourself to stop


/article/view/four-ways-to-enjoy-

the-present-moment-one-includes-

chocolate), breathe, and take yourself less seriously? Try throwing in one—or

all, you playful yogi, you!—of these poses into your next practice; wherever,

whenever, however—don’t think about it too much.

Dancing Cockroach

Start in navasana (boat pose) with your shins parallel with the ground, slowly

lower your back toward the ground—still keeping your shoulders, neck, and

head lifted! Exhale to engage the core; reach your left hand toward your left

foot, simultaneously swaying to the left and shifting weight into your left

hip. 9en begin shifting to your right hip, reaching right fingers to right

ankle. Sway back and forth; dance it out while heating up those abs!

Rocking Boat

Come back to an upright, parallel-shin boat pose. Separate your legs so that


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you can reach your arms between and either grab hold of the outsides of

your ankles, or bind your big toes. Balance on your sit-bones, and sit tall. You

can keep knees bent, or extend your legs toward straight, but continue to

lengthen through your spine. Inhale to stay, then, on an exhale, draw your

belly back, round your spine, and rock back onto your shoulder blades (but

not your neck or head) Inhale, rock back up to seated—see if you can put on

the breaks and balance (yes, really!), lengthening through your spine. Exhale,

round and rock back again. Try 5-10 rounds. Challenge a friend to rock and

roll with you! Are your abs sore because you're movement is so slow and

controlled, or because you're laughing super-hard? No one knows for

certain.

Tree in the Breeze

Start in tadasana. Grounding down into both feet, begin to slowly shift your

weight onto your left foot. Lift your kneecaps up your legs, engaging your

quadriceps. Place your right foot at the inside of your left ankle, calf, or inner

thigh. With hands on hips, inhale to broaden your collarbones and lift your

chest; keep that expansion as you exhale. Find your drishti (focal point); and


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once you feel stable, bring your hands to heart. Once stable there, blossom

your arms up overhead, palms facing each other, opposite pinkies reaching

for each other. Keeping your standing (left) leg engaged, begin to sway your

arms side to side overhead—like a tree in the breeze. Maybe there's a crazy

gust of wind that even knocks you over!

Happy Baby

You’re familiar with this one, I’m sure, but try coming into this pose

(https://yogainternational.com/article/view/the-mythology-behind-ananda-

balasana-happy-baby-pose) like it’s your first time. Breathe into the sensations

in the hip flexors; note what it feels like to have the bases of your feet in your

hands. As you inhale, stretch one leg out; switch legs with your exhale. Let

yourself roll around; relax your jaw, your eyebrows; smile! Have you been

acting “too adult” in your happy baby pose?


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(https://yogainternational.com/profile/123419)

ABOUT Coral Lee (https://yogainternational.com/profile/123419) Coral Lee is

an Editorial/Content Assistant Intern for Yoga International, a 200-RYT

instructor, and is currently studying English and Art History at Kenyon

College in Gambier, OH.

#poses (https://yogainternational.com/article/tag/poses)

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4 silly poses guaranteed to make you smile _ yoga international

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