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If you are going through an intense emotional experience then it is vital you take time to regain your composure, confidence and inner strength. Yoga poses offer you the chance to ease your body back into shape whilst calming your mind and giving your spirit space to heal and grieve.
Yoga standing poses are ideal to teach you balance and inner calm. As you concentrate and focus your awareness of balancing, for example in the tree pose, your body learns to adjust to the subtle changes required to shift your focus from external stimulus to a more deeper inner sense of alignment and balance.
As a yoga teacher I often remind students that their yoga practice is a reflection of their inner world. If your mind is full and cluttered it is difficult for you to surrender into a balancing pose. You wobble and the more you try and force yourself to balance, the more you wobble and you eventually topple and have to start again.
The following two standing yoga poses are basic poses that you can safely practice at home. When you practice remember to take your time to come into the pose, to focus on your breath and try, if possible, to stay steady in the pose for at least 3 – 5 rounds of deep yogic breathing. At the end of these two yoga poses, take a few moments to be still, to breathe and be aware of the quality of your thoughts and emotions. I am sure you will feel clearer, calmer and more confident.
Two Basic Yoga Standing Positions to Improve Confidence and Inner Strength
The Tree Pose
Stand tall and straight in the Mountain Pose with your feet hip distant apart. Take a long steady breath in and as you breathe out place your right foot on the left inner thigh, make sure your left leg is firmly planted to the ground. If it is difficult for you to place your right foot on your inner thigh, rest your foot on your left calf. Bring your hands together at your chest in the prayer pose. Stays focused on a point ahead of you and take 3 – 5 rounds of deep breathing. Slowly release from the posture and return to the mountain pose before repeating on the other leg.
The Triangle Pose
This pose is ideal to increase your balance and concentration. The pose stretches your spine, hips, arms and shoulders. As you stretch your chest expands and opens creating space for deeper breathing which helps to release tension and stress in your body.
Stand up straight and tall, feet about 3 ½ feet apart, feel your feet connect with the ground. Keep your legs straight, feet facing forward, toes turned in slightly to centre. Turn your right foot directly out to the side. Keep your spine straight. Straighten your arms out shoulder height across from your shoulders. Exhale and reach down to rest your right leg or foot with your right hand. Keep your chest open as you breathe slowly and deeply. Breathe in and straighten your left arm straight up in the air. Turn your head and look up at your left hand. Breathe slowly and deeply for 3 – 5 rounds. Feel your breath flow from your hand to your feet. Relax and slowly lower your left arm. Return to mountain pose, tune in and repeat on the other side.
Regular practice of the Tree and Triangle Pose offers you the chance to open and ease your body back into shape whilst calming your mind and giving your spirit space to heal and grieve.
