As we celebrate Women's Day, we must recognize the challenges women often face in balancing professional demands with personal well-being. According to recent statistics, women are more likely than men to experience work-related stress, with 57% of women reporting feeling stressed at work compared to 41% of men. As we approach Women’s Day, let's prioritise self-care and self-love with seven rejuvenating yoga poses shared by Pradeep Mehta, Yog Acharya & Founder of Samsara Wellness and designed to uplift your spirits on tough working days.
1. Downward Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana):
Downward-Facing Dog Pose, also known as Adho Mukha Svanasana, is an inversion asana frequently practiced as part of a flowing sequence of poses, notably Surya Namaskar, or the Salute to the Sun. This asana is commonly utilized in modern yoga as a form of exercise. It aids in strengthening the external oblique abdominal muscles. As a mild inversion, Downward Dog reverses the typical forces on your spine and promotes increased blood flow to your brain. When integrated into a weekly yoga routine, it may even alleviate chronic back pain.
Also Read: 7 Easy and Effective Yoga Poses For Beginners
2. Forward Bend (Uttanasana):
From a standing position, exhale as you fold forward from the hips, bringing your hands to the floor or grasping your elbows. Uttanasana releases tension in the spine, stretches the hamstrings, and calms the mind by encouraging introspection and relaxation.
3. Happy Baby Pose (Ananda Balasana):
- Lie on your back and slightly bend your knees to touch your chest.
- Gently rock from side to side, massaging the spine and releasing tension in the hips and lower back.
- Happy Baby Pose invokes a sense of playfulness and joy, reminding us to embrace the present moment with childlike wonder.
4. Full Cobra (Bhujangasana)
- Lie on your stomach and place your hands firmly under your shoulders.
- Put pressure on your palms and lift your upper body off the ground while keeping your elbows touching your body.
- Bhujangasana strengthens the back muscles, improves posture, and boosts confidence by opening the heart center and fostering a sense of empowerment.
5. Fish Pose (Matsyasana):
- Lie on your back and stretch your legs and arms alongside your body.
- Lift your chest and arch your back, bringing the crown of your head to the floor.
- Matsyasana stretches the chest and throat, alleviates fatigue, and promotes feelings of rejuvenation and renewal.
- This also helps in improving thyroid function.
6. Bow Pose (Dhanurasana):
- Lie on your stomach, bend your knees, and reach back to grasp your ankles.
- Inhale as you lift your chest and thighs off the mat, creating a bow shape with your body.
- Dhanurasana strengthens the back muscles, stimulates the digestive organs, and instills a sense of courage and resilience.
7.Tree Pose (Vrkasana)
- Stand straight and keep hip-width distance in your feet.
- Shift your weight onto one foot and place the sole of the other foot against the inner thigh or calf.
- Extend your hands overhead.
- Vrkasana improves balance, focus, and concentration, reminding us to stand strong and rooted in our inner strength.
On this Women's Day, amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life, let us remember to prioritise our mental and physical well-being. Incorporating these seven self-love poses into your routine can help you cultivate a sense of inner peace, resilience, and empowerment, allowing you to navigate tough working days with grace and confidence. Remember, well- being now is a necessity, not a luxury.