Yoga-Beginners, 5 Asanas to Start Your Routine

Like us, have you also gaped in awe as lithe yoga practitioners contort and twist themselves in impossible asanas? Well, here's how to take the first step to realise your yoga dreams.   

"If you are a beginner to yoga, it is important that you work on your foundation level asanas and make your practice strong. Only when your practice of basic asanas, pranayama and meditation is thorough, you can easily advance to the next or higher levels. Often, in excitement, beginners will be attempt poses or practices that are of the intermediate level without enough experience and this may cause injuries. Your practice will also depend on the school of yoga that you come from. What are their teachings? As a practitioner, you must follow the teachings of your school," says celebrity lifestyle coach and yogapreneur, Grand Master Akshar.

So, here are his pick of asanas to master before moving on to the customary Sirsasana against a picturesque backdrop for the gram!

Samasthithi

Formation of the posture

·        Stand with your feet together

·        Stretch your arms out beside your body and allow them to hover without  making contact

·        Gently close eyes

·        Relax the body

Santolanasana – Plank Pose

Formation of the posture

·        Lie on your stomach

·        Place your palms under your shoulders and lift your upper body, pelvis and knees up

·        Use your toes to grip the floor and keep the knees straight

·        Ensure that your knees, pelvis and spine are aligned

·        Your wrists must be placed exactly below your shoulders with your arms kept straight

·        Hold the final posture for a while

Vrikshasana

Formation of the posture

·        Begin by standing in Samasthithi.

·        Lift your right leg off the floor and balance your  body weight on your left leg

·        Place your right foot on your lift inner thigh.

·        Place it as close to your groin as possible

·        You may support your foot with your palms to bring it in place.

·        After you find your balance, join your palms in Pranam Mudra at your heart chakra.

·        Raise your Pranam towards the sky.

·        Straighten your elbows and ensure that your head is in between your arms.

·        Repeat the same with the alternate leg

·        Hold eight to ten breaths

Samakonasana

Formation of the posture

·        Begin by standing in Samasthithi.

·        Extend your arms straight up.

·        Join your palms and point your fingers up

·        Slowly tilt your upper body forward at your pelvis.

·        Lower your upper body until it is parallel to the ground.

·        Try to keep your legs straight with a very slight bend at the knees.

·        Ensure that your back is not hunched and your spine is straight.

·        Focus your gaze forward.

·        Remain in this posture for 30 seconds.

Padmasana

Formation of the posture

·        Sit in Ardha Padmasana with your right foot over your left thigh

·        Lift your left foot and place it on your right thigh facing up

·        Pull your feet closer to your hips

·        Drop your knees to the floor

·        Place your palms on your knees facing up

·        Hold the asana for a while

·        Repeat with the other leg