Three Yoga Poses for Winter
During the cold and heavy season of winter when the earth and water element are most prominent, it’s beneficial to bring warmth into the body. These three postures will open your heart, build heat, and leave you feeling energized.
Utkatasana (Chair Pose)
Bring your big toes to touch and heels slightly apart.
Bend the knees so you can still see your big toes and sit back into an invisible chair.
Squeeze your legs together, keep your torso up tall and gaze straight ahead or up at your hands.
Take 5 deep breaths.
Benefits: This pose builds heat in the body, strengthens the legs, and lengthens the spine.
Trikonasana (Triangle pose)
Stand with your feet together.
Step your left foot back 2-3 feet, toes pointing to the side.
Place your hands on your hips. Shift your hips to your back left leg.
Open your arms out to the sides, forming a T shape. Reach your right hand forward as far as possible without moving your legs or hips.
Place your right hand on your shin, ankle, or foot. Rotate your chest open and look towards your top left hand. Keep pressing evenly into both legs.
Take 5 deep breaths, then switch sides.
Benefits: This pose opens your lungs and chest while strengthening the spine, arms, legs, back and core.
Viparita Virabhadrasana (Reverse Warrior 2)
Stand with your feet together.
Step your right foot back 3-4 feet, toes pointing to the right side.
Keep your hands on hips. Bend your front knee to 90 degrees, making sure it doesn’t go past your toes.
Press firmly into the outer edge of the right foot.
Open your arms out to the sides, forming a T shape. Then, reach your right hand back to touch the right leg. Reach your left arm up to sky as you open your chest and look up.
Take 5 deep breaths, then switch sides.
Benefits: This pose builds heat, opens the heart center, strengthens the lower body, and improves balance.