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Jennifer Aniston's Favorite Yoga Poses Are . . .

FitSugar — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 12:00:00 -0800

I'm really happy that yoga is gaining in popularity these days, because it's so good for everybody. Whether you're training for a marathon, recovering from an injury, dealing with chronic back pain, are pregnant, or just need to de-stress, the ancient practice of yoga can help. Apparently it's also good for celebs too. Madonna, Brooke Shields, Adam Levine, Drew Barrymore, and Naomi Watts are all into practicing yoga.

So is Jennifer Aniston. When asked about her favorite yoga poses, Jennifer said in a recent interview with People, "I'm so terrible with names . . . Child pose. And it's a mix between that and Tree pose. [Tree] has good balance and I like how it feels."

These two poses are basic poses you'd learn in a beginner yoga class, but they're poses that you'll continue to do until you're an experienced yogi. To find out the benefits of these tranquil poses read more.

Child's Pose is one of my favorites too because it's so relaxing. Lowering your head below your heart has this calming effect on your mind, and it's a great pose to do if you're feeling stressed or tired. Child's Pose is recommended for people with lower back pain. It's also the perfect pose to do in a yoga class if your arms need a break, or if you feel your breathing becoming too erratic.
Tree is a wonderful balancing pose because it doesn't require a ton of muscular strength. When your bent leg is resting on the inner thigh of your straight leg, it's actually quite stable. So you can stay in this position for a while, just breathing and feeling your connection with the ground.

To learn how to do more yoga poses, check out these Strike a Yoga Pose posts.

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Partner Yoga Pose: Child Cobra

FitSugar — Fri, 23 May 2008 14:30:00 -0700

If you're looking for a way to increase flexibility in your spine and also get an amazing stretch in your lower back, then grab a friend and try Child Cobra. The person on the bottom is the one benefiting the most from this partner pose, since the person on top is pressing all her weight into his hips and back.

For a detailed explanation of how to get into this read more.

Partner #1 (man) begins in Child's Pose with his arms extended out in front of him.
Partner #2 (woman) gets into Downward Facing Dog, with her hands on Partner #1's hips. Partner #1 clasps Partner #2's ankles with his hands.
Now Partner #2 lifts her shoulders and lowers her hips, resting her thighs on Partner #1's back, coming into Cobra. She wants to put all her weight into her palms evenly. To increase her stretch, she can lower her head back between her shoulder blades, and look up at the ceiling or behind her.
Stay like this for at least five breaths but longer if you both love it. When it's time to release, Partner #2 lifts her hips, comes back into Downward Dog, and then stands up. Then they switch roles.

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Partner Yoga Pose: Supported Shoulderstand Child's Pose

FitSugar — Fri, 02 May 2008 11:00:00 -0700

I love partner yoga poses that allow you to use your partner's body to help you relax and Supported Shoulderstand Child's Pose is one of those poses. It's similar to Double Child, but I like this one better because partners alternate between doing an energetic inversion and a lower-back stretch.

Want to know how to do this pose? Then read more.

Partner 1 begins in Child's pose with his arms extended out in front of him.
Partner #2 sits down gently on his lower back, with one leg on either side of his body.
Then Partner #2 leans back, placing her hands on the ground underneath her shoulders, and she extends her legs so they're over Partner #1's shoulders (just like in the picture to the right).
Partner #1 can assist Partner #2, by placing his hands on her feet to help anchor her as she lowers her shoulders and the back of her head down to the ground. She wants to keep lifting her ribs up to open her chest and lengthen through her spine.
From here, she can bend her knees and place the soles of her feet on Partner #1's back. Then to take this pose even deeper, she can lift her legs straight up so her feet are over her hips.
They can stay like this for five or more breaths, and when they've both had enough, they can release and switch roles.

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Strike a Yoga Pose: Child's Pose

FitSugar — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 09:30:00 -0700

Anytime you need to release your lower back, rest your arms, or take a break in a yoga class, Child's Pose is for you. Folding your body into a little ball makes you feel calm, safe, and relaxed.

Sanskrit Name: Balasana
English Translation: Child Pose
Also Called: Child's Pose

There are many variations to this pose, so to hear about them read more

Kneel on your mat with your knees hips-width distance apart, and your big toes touching behind you.
Take a deep breath in and as you exhale, lie your torso down onto your thighs.Try to lengthen your neck and spine, by drawing your ribs away from your tailbone, and the crown of your head away from your shoulders.
You can do it as shown in the photo, with your arms resting comfortably on your lower back, but I prefer to do it with my arms beside my legs, with my palms facing up. Or you can also try extending your arms out in front of you. I also like to separate my knees and bring my arms between my legs, and turn my head to the side so my cheek is on the mat. Each of these variations will stretch your back, neck, and shoulders differently, so try them all to see which one you like best.
Stay here for five breaths or longer, and once you've had enough, you can inhale to lift your torso up.

If you are preggo, open your knees wide so when you bend forward there is space for your ever growing belly.

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Partner Yoga Pose: Double Child

FitSugar — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 11:45:00 -0800

While it's true that many Partner Yoga poses can help you get a deeper stretch, another benefit is the emotional support you share. Energy can be passed and received between you, so doing a pose with someone can instill a sense of joy and serenity. This one, called Double Child, will help to relieve stress and calm the mind.

Partner one (blue shirt) and partner two (tan shirt) kneel down on a mat with their feet touching.
Both partners come into Child's Pose and hold hands.
They remain here for at least five breaths, allowing the lower back, hips, and shoulders to release.
After they've had enough, both partners slowly sit up.

I know this pose doesn't look like much, but it's one of those things that you just have to try. Once both partners allow themselves to relax completely, they'll feel the amazing effects.

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Strike a Yoga Pose: Camel to Child's Pose

FitSugar — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 03:00:00 -0700

Doing stretches for your back not only feels good physically, but they are also energetically stimulating. Backbends open the muscles near your heart. This is the location of your 4th chakra which is associated with love and compassion. It allows us to feel peace and a sense of being centered.

Backbends also open your hips, where your 2nd chakra is located, which is associated with sex and creativity. This chakra is all about having a strong personal identity and the ability to accept change. Poses like Camel (Ustrasana in Sanskrit) are great if you are feeling lonely, sad, bored, or tired.

Backbending poses can feel really intense, so after you do one, it's great to do a forward bending counter pose like Child's Pose.

Kneel at the front of your mat, keeping your knees under your hips (hip distance apart). Look back and make sure your shins, ankles and feet are parallel to each other.
Put both hands on your hips, and gently arch back, just beginning to warm up your lower back and quads.
When you're ready, reach your right hand down towards your right foot. If your back is less flexible, stay here for 5 breaths and then switch to the left side.
If your back is feeling good, bring your left hand down, so that both hands are reaching for both feet. Stay here for 5 or more breaths, pressing your hips forward, and dropping your head to look behind you. Try to keep your knees under your hips (they tend to slide out wide).
Come up slowly, sit on your heels, and lean forward into Child's Pose. You can do it with your hands by your feet, or stretch your arms out in front of you.
Repeat this series (Camel to Child's Pose) a few times to give you energy and increase flexibility in your back, chest, hips and quads.

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Partner Yoga Pose: Child's Pose Pull

FitSugar — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 14:30:00 -0700

Doesn't this pose look like it feels so good? Well it does! The person folded on the right feels the stretch in his hips, lower back, and shoulders, while the person on the left feels a great stretch in her quads and upper back. Plus it requires almost no effort since gravity is doing most of the work.

To see a detailed explanation of how to do this partner yoga pose just read more.

Parter #1 (woman), sits down on her heels in Hero pose. Partner #2 (man) comes into Child's Pose, extending his arms on the ground beside Partner #1's thighs.
Partner #1 reaches for Partner #2's arms and holds his forearms with her palms facing up. Partner #2 holds onto Partner #1's forearms with his palms facing down.
Partner #2 presses his hips back towards his heels as Partner #1 leans her torso back. She'll pull on Partner #2's arms, which helps to lengthen through his spine and stretch his shoulders. Partner #1 engages her abs, to protect her from feeling any strain in her lower back.
They both stay in this position for five breaths, gently release, and then switch roles.

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Stretch It: Crossing Child's Pose

FitSugar — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 03:00:00 -0800

If you suffer from a tight lower back, Child's Pose is one of the best stretches. Give this variation a try and it adds a nice stretch to your shoulder and the side of your body.

To learn how to do this relaxing stretch read more.

Sit on the floor with your knees bent, and your tush on your heels. Then walk your hands out in front of you, lowering your torso so your belly is resting on your thighs.
Extend your arms as much as possible. Keep your right hand where it is and lift your left hand up and place it to the right of your right pinky. Lower your head and just breathe. Actively press your hips down toward your heels to lengthen your spine and intensify the stretch.

Stay for as long as you want (at least 30 seconds), then bring your left hand back to the starting position. When you're ready, cross your right hand over to the left side of your left pinky. Remain here for at least 30 seconds, and then bring your right hand back to center. Repeat this stretch again on both sides.

Stretch It: Grounded Tipover Tuck

FitSugar — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:05:33 -0700

I'm always in need of a good neck and shoulder stretch. Tipover Tuck is one of my favorites, but here's a more relaxing version.

To see a photo of how to begin this stretch read more.

Come into Child's Pose with your shins and forehead on the floor. Stay here for a few breaths, working on lengthening your spine as you relax your chest to your thighs. When you're ready, interlace your hands behind you in a double fist. If you can, press the heels of your palms together to increase the stretch in your shoulders. Then lift your hands as high as you can.

Inhale to shift your weight forward and lift your hips off your heels. Come to rest on the crown (top) of your head and extend your hands as close to the floor as you can. Stay here for 10 seconds and then lower your hips back to your heels. Stay here for 10 seconds, and then lift your hips up again. Continue this cycle five or more times, then release into Child's Pose with your arms on either side of your legs.

Say Om Not Ow: Injury-Free Yoga Tips

FitSugar — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 08:00:36 -0700

The main reason many of us practice yoga is to increase our flexibility, and the last thing you'd expect is to pull a muscle. Unfortunately yoga injuries can and do happen just as easily as they do in other types of workouts, so keep these tips in mind to prevent yourself from getting hurt.

Spy before you try. Check out the class the week before you take it to make sure the level is right for your ability and needs.
Drop the ego. Don't compare yourself to Polly Pretzel or 17-year-old Sally over there. Everyone's body is different, and you don't want to attempt advanced poses if you're not ready. Nobody's watching you anyway, so who are you trying to impress?
Don't compare yourself to yourself either. Your body changes every day. Maybe last week you pressed all the way up into full backbend, but this week, your back may not be thinking that's such a good idea. Concentrate on how your body feels at that moment.
Move slowly and with complete awareness. Every time you move any part of your body, do it calmly and with intention. Be aware of where your body is and what it's doing at all times.
Learn to use and love props. Blocks, straps, bolsters, and even walls are great support tools to help you modify poses so you don't strain your muscles.

Want to see the other tips? Then read more

Don't push yourself too hard. Yoga is supposed to feel good. It should never hurt or cause strain, so don't force your muscles to stretch to the point of agony, since this is a great way to pull a muscle.
Listen to your body. Sometimes the order or types of poses an instructor is doing won't fit with what your body needs. If your tight hips need to do Pigeon and the entire class is doing handstands, well, then do Pigeon. Also be sure to rest your body when you need to - child's pose is a wonderful thing.
Don't slip. Heated rooms may help keep your muscles warm, but they can also make you sweat, making your mat really slick. Use a regular towel or a Yogitoes Skidless Yoga Mat to absorb any puddles.
Don't be afraid to ask for help. If you're not sure how to get into a pose, don't be afraid to ask the teacher. Sometimes the format of classes makes it feel awkward to talk or ask questions, so if that's the case, just skip the pose and ask the teacher about it after class.