Best Self Yoga Flow for Flexibility and Relaxation

A gentle 25-minute practice to enhance flexibility, breathing and relaxation

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First we start in child’s pose. Resting the forehead onto the mat will activate the 3^rd eye center, helping to focus our attention, as well as release serotonin and melatonin into the body. We close our eyes to bring our senses within and take deep breathes to oxygenate and connect mind and body together. Then we use some easy movement to warm the body, side stretches, cat cows, simple backbends.

The flow that we repeated is known as Surya Namaskara A (or Sun Salutation A) and is the opening sequence for the Ashtanga primary series. Flowing through these asanas (postures), starting slow and then moving into vinyasa (breathe to movement) can be used to loosen up the major joints/muscles of the body, oxygenate the blood, wake up the mind-body and can even be used as a form of meditation. Sun Salutation A is a great way to wake up, energize the body when feeling tired, or use some extra energy if you have it.

We close off our sequence with a seated forward extension to lengthen the spine, a backbend to open the heart and a twist to reset the spine and reactivate our organs. Finishing, as always, with Svasana (corpse pose) which puts the body back into its parasympathetic nervous system, allowing the muscles to reform to a more natural structure and reactivating our body’s natural healing system. All in 25 minutes!

Namaste.

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