What Is Partner Yoga Pose And Its Benefits
Yoga is a powerful way to attune your mind, body, intellect, and spirit. Originating from the Sanskrit word “Yuj”, it mean union; union of the self with the universe. It involves performing various asanas or poses in synchronicity with breathing movements. There are various schools of yoga and each focuses on doing them with some modifications as per their theories. However in each school of thought, at some point or the other partner yoga poses are performed and many a times stressed upon.
Partner yoga refers to yoga poses performed in the company of another individual; it could be an intimate partner, a casual friend, your child/parent, or a stranger. The premise, however remains constant—trust and confidence.
Many yoga poses are performed better with assistance, and for much assistance is a must due to their complex nature. While doing yoga poses, partners assist each other by aligning their movements to one another, and assuring the other of total physical and emotional support. In this sense it is better to have a partner with whom one is familiar. However to each his own, and there is no binding on one’s choice of a partner.
Perform partner yoga in the morning to energize your circulatory system, or in the evening after a hard day’s work to soothe tensed muscles and catch up on good sleep. Partner yoga can be done at anytime. The only thing that is important while doing these poses is to be able to move in and out of them with good control and not in jerks. Hold a pose just enough to feel the stretch and not get dizzy. Start with a few seconds and then extend it to about 30 seconds to a minute. Easy poses can be held for as long as 3–5 minutes. If your purpose is to increase fitness levels, then aim at transitioning between poses a little faster than usual. This helps elevate heart rate and burn calories faster. It is a good cardio alternative.
If you are new to this form of yoga, it is advised to do it with a partner who is more experienced than you, as he or she can guide you correctly, gauge your success, and support you in case of difficulty with performing the postures. If you have kids, it is a good idea to involve them. Partner yoga is a great way to get kids involved in a fitness routine along with the parents and with loads of fun. Do it with your intimate partner to spice up a relationship. It is a powerful way to connect at deeper levels, bring about a sense of stability, trust and fulfillment, and raise a relationship to new heights.
