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The Best Yoga Poses for Beginners

Just starting your yoga practice? Here are some of the best yoga poses for beginners.

The Best Yoga Poses for Beginners

Starting Yoga

When I first started practicing yoga I was overwhelmed with the number of poses. How would I ever learn them all? Would I continue to feel slightly lost in each class?

Thankfully, the poses become more natural and second nature the longer you practice. Because, truly, yoga is a practice that you cultivate – not an end to a means. It’s a great way to soothe your mind, build your confidence and strength, and hone your balancing skills. But it takes practice.

If you’re just starting your yoga journey, here are a few of the poses that you’ll find in many of the classes that you attend or watch online. Don’t worry about mastering them all in one go. Instead, focus on tiny adjustments and improvements each time you come to your mat.

Best Yoga Poses for Beginners

Corpse Pose

Corpse pose, also known as savasana, is probably the easiest of all yoga poses. It is the pose of total relaxation and has been found to help reduce stress, anxiety, fatigue and even headaches and insomnia.

To do this, you lie down on the floor on your back with your feet slightly apart, your hands at your sides with your palms facing upwards. You can also place one hand on your belly and the other on your heart as a variation.

Mountain Pose

Mountain pose is the base for all yoga poses that require standing. This pose helps to improve your posture, slows down your breathing and helps you feel more aware and calm.

All you need to do is stand straight and tall with your feet together. Your hands should be at your side with your palms facing outwards. 

Downward Facing Dog

Downward facing dog is one of my favorite yoga poses because it is such a delicious stretch. It is a popular yoga pose that is practiced in many yoga practices.

This pose helps stretch your entire body and is rejuvenating as well.

Start by getting down on your hands and knees then slowly, lift your hips upwards and back, so that your heels and palms of your hands are flat on the floor, and your hips are pointed to the sky forming a triangle. Your head should be relaxed between your arms with your ears parallel to your arms and your gaze looking back at your legs.

Tree Pose

Tree pose is great for beginners (and long-time practitioners as well!) and helps improve balance while allowing room for mental clarity and focus.

First, stand with your feet together on the ground, then bring one foot upwards, so that the sole of your foot is flat on the opposite ankle, calf, or above the knee on the inner thigh. Bring both hands up and overhead, together at heart center, or on your hips.

The Best Yoga Poses for Beginners

Cat and Cow Poses

Cat and cow poses are two of the simplest yoga poses out there but they have a big bang for their buck. They help strengthen the spine and the muscles in your belly – not to mention they give a great stretch and are perfect when waking up in the morning or before going to bed at night.

Start on your hands and knees with a flat back (this is called Tabletop). Your arms should be in line with your shoulders and your knees should be in line with your hips. Palms should be flat on the floor and the tops of your feet should be against the mat.

As you breathe in for cow pose, gently drop your belly and lift your chest leading with your heart center, gaze looking straight ahead or slightly lifted.

As you exhale into cat pose round your back up toward the sky lifting your belly button toward your spine with your chin tucked in and gaze toward the ground. The transition between movements should be smooth and fluid.

The Best Yoga Poses for Beginners

Have fun trying new yoga poses and remember that it’s practice not perfection. What are your favorite yoga poses for beginners? Share with us below!

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