With the gyms being closed down in some areas, we’ve had to adapt to at-home exercises. Even if you have access, you may not want to go due to the current environment. Yoga is an easy way to exercise both your body and mind, and luckily it’s something you can do in the safety of your home at your own convenience. You do not have to be overly flexible in order to try yoga, either. Here are a few of the key basic poses to refocus your energy in a positive way.
The Cat/Cow Pose
This simple routine can help stimulate blood flow and warm up joints. Kneel on the ground and put both hands on the ground shoulder-width apart. With each breath in, slowly arch your back towards the ceiling, dropping your head down between your arms. When you breath out, lift your head and bend your back towards the floor. Be sure to use your abdomen to curve yourself up and down. Continue for 10 to 15 repetitions.
Downward-Facing Dog
One of the most popular yoga poses, this can help open your chest and elongate the backs of your legs. With your feet shoulder-width apart, put your hands on the ground and slowly walk them out until you feel a comfortable stretch. Hold for about 30 seconds. Be careful so as to not stretch too far, or you might hurt yourself. Stretch out too little, and you won’t receive as much of the benefit.
Tree Pose
This balancing position is a little bit harder. It requires using your abdomen to keep yourself balanced. However, it does improve body awareness and mental focus. While standing, point your knee out away from you and lift up. Gently lay the flat of your foot against your upper thigh; the higher you can place your foot, the better. To help center yourself, hold your hands together in anjali mudra (prayer hands). Hold for 15 to 30 seconds, breathing slowly.
Child’s Pose
The easiest of all yoga poses, Child’s Pose has many benefits, including relieving tension, stretching your spine, reducing stress, and more. Kneel on the ground or yoga mat, with your shins fully on the ground, and sit back on your ankles. Bend forward with your arms outstretched and place your forehead on the ground. Breathe slowly – inhale, hold for 5 seconds, and exhale. Hold the pose for 30 seconds, or as long as you wish. Some even find they sleep easier after doing the Child’s Pose before bed.
Inhale, Exhale
No matter what your needs are, yoga can be a great way to exercise both your mind and body. Remember to stop and take a breath, recenter yourself, and most of all relax. Being overly stressed, especially after bariatric surgery, can delay healing and sometimes cause you to gain back some of the weight you’ve already lost. The team at Balsama Bariatric Surgery is equipped to help you stay on the right track, and they’re readily available if you have any questions or concerns. To meet this highly qualified crew, give us a call today or fill out our online form!
