The lights are up and we are starting to get into the Christmas spirit at Asquith HQ. The festive period can sometimes mean that your yoga practice gets put aside in favour of more Christmassy activities which is why we have worked with Yoga Teacher Charis Copper (wearing our organic yoga clothes) to share with you some winter yoga poses to help keep you grounded and centred this Christmas. Whether you manage to practice a full routine or just one of our suggested poses a day, we hope that they help you to stay connected to your mind, body and spirit this Christmas.
Tree pose or Vrksasana
(Charis wears our eco-friendly yoga clothing including our bamboo yoga top, the Go To Vest, and our bamboo yoga leggings, the Move It Leggings.)
This balancing posture is great for warming up the calves and foots muscles in the cold winter months.
Make sure you press the foot into the thigh and thigh into the foot, let the spine grow tall and take the arms overhead. Play around with closing the eyes and use the focus on the breath to find stability and stillness.
Seated twist or Ardha Matsyendrasana
(Charis wears our eco-friendly yoga clothing including our bamboo yoga top, the Go To Vest, and our bamboo yoga leggings, the Flow With It Leggings.)
This spinal twist is great at shifting stale energy in the body and particularly great for supporting the digestive system especially after one too many mince pies…
Place one foot over the opposite thigh and make sure that foot is flat on the ground. Wrap the arm around that knee and turn and look over the opposite shoulder – take 5 deep breaths.
Chaturanga
Great for strengthening the arms and the core muscles in preparation for getting the Christmas tree in position.
From a plank pose, bend both elbows and lower the whole body down until the elbows are bent to 90 degrees, keeping the elbows tucked in close the body and the core engaged.
Mermaid pose
A really strong pose that is great for finding focus and powerful energy in the body.
Come into pigeon pose and bend the back knee, catch the back foot with the hand and slide the foot into the elbow crease. Take the other hand over head and catch the other hand. Scissor the legs together finding space in the torso.
Side plank or Vasisthasana
Great for strengthening the core and powering up the whole body ready for the madness of Christmas day.
Place one hand in the centre of the mat and come on the outside edge of the foot. Stack the feet on top of one another and lift the hips. Play around with lifting the top leg and placing the foot onto the thigh.