Yoga for Beginners Simple Yoga Poses to Calm Your Mind and Strengthen Your Body

YOGA FOR BEGINNERS

Relaxing

Relaxation is a key component to yoga. In fact, Patanjali says
it best:

Practicing yoga in a relaxed manner with

strength creates harmony within the body.

SUTRA 2.46, STHIRA SUKHAM ASANAM

Sthira means “strong and steady.” Sukham means “com-
fortable and relaxed.” Combine these two and you get an
asana, or pose that works to create a happy body.
Here’s a simple way to demonstrate the important bal-
ance between strength and relaxation:

1. Sit up straight in a comfortable position.


2. Notice which of your muscles are working and
   which ones are not. Your core is engaged to keep you
   upright, but your shoulders are relaxed.


3. Tense your shoulders and bring them toward your
   ears. Suddenly this becomes a very uncomfortable
   pose. There is no way you’d be able to hold this for
   any extended period of time.


4. Relax your shoulders. Now sitting there doesn’t seem
   so hard, does it?

This is sthira sukham asanam in action, the balance of
strength and relaxation that creates a healthy yoga practice.
Another essential element is breathing.