Don’t Forget To Rest

ashtanga-yoga/index.html">Yoga.lifetips.com/cat/65158/ashtanga-yoga/index.html">Yoga.lifetips.com/cat/65158/ashtanga-yoga/index.html">Although power yoga classes are active, it’s important to include active resting poses, such as child’s pose (balasana) to release tension in the body between challenging asanas. Child’s pose relieves overall stress and fatigue while stretching the thighs, ankles, and hips.

Enter child’s pose by kneeling on the floor and easing back so you are sitting on (or near) the tops of your heels. Spread your knees hip-width apart and gently lower your torso into the space between your knees. Rest your forehead on the floor.

You can stay in this pose for 30 seconds or less during an active power yoga class, or use it as the final relaxation pose and hold it for several minutes. To exit child’s pose, extend forward through the torso and lift from the tailbone as you inhale.

You have two choices of arm position. Stretch your arms out in front of you and place your palms on the floor, or reach your arms back along your sides so your hands are touching the outsides of your feet.

Caveat: Skip child’s pose if you have knee injuries, or if you are pregnant. Your instructor can suggest an alternative restorative pose.