Yoga Poses for Students

As students, we spend a good chunk of our day hunched over textbooks, laptops, and notebooks. After a while. this can really mess with your body, especially your shoulders, backs, hips, and even your legs. One way I like to help my body is through yoga and stretching.

Starting off my day with yoga, and sometimes even ending a long day with more yoga before bed, really helps keep my body comfortable and ready to go.

When life gets too busy for you to attend a yoga class, there are still plenty of small poses you can do throughout the day to take care of any pain or discomfort you may feel.

Seated twist

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Cross one leg over the other and place your opposite elbow against your knee. Lightly twist, keeping your chest open and your back straight.

Forward fold

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With your feet hip-width apart and a slight bend in your knee, bend at the hips and lean forward. Keep your spine relaxed and straightened, as well as your neck and shoulders. You can put your hands on the ground, grasp your elbows, or whatever else feels most comfortable for you.

Downward dog

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This is one of my favorite simple yoga poses. When in downward dog, picture your body as an upside-down "V." Keep a microbend in your knees (a larger bend is okay, too!) and make sure your hands are shoulder-width apart and your feet are hip-width apart. Lengthen your spine and press your shoulders down, too.

Triangle pose

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 Start with your feet wide on the mat, with your back foot parallel to the edge of your yoga mat; your front foot should be pointed forward. Place one hand on the ground/your front shin, twist your body so your shoulders are stacked, and stretch your other arm up.

Savasana (corpse pose)

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Corpse pose is perfect for when you need to relax and think about absolutely nothing for a few minutes. Lay on your back with your feet and arms outstretched. Completely relax your body, closing your eyes and breathing deeply. Once you're ready to get up, slowly turn over onto your side and sit up.

Happy baby pose

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Lay on your back, grabbing your ankles or the outside of your feet. Pull your knees up to your armpits and lengthen your spine.

Cat/cow poses

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Start on all fours, with your back flat, and keep your feet and hands hip-width and shoulder-width apart, respectively. Inhale deeply and lift your tailbone and lower your belly, looking up as you do so. As you exhale, tuck your tailbone in and round your back, lowering your head with your chin towards your chest.

Child's pose

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Child's pose is another one of my favorite restorative poses because there are so many ways you can modify it based on how your body feels. A basic child's pose starts on your knees, bending over so your forehead touches the mat. Stretch your arms out above your head. You can modify it by widening your legs, keeping your arms by your sides, doing a twist, etc.

Cobbler's pose 

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Cobbler's pose is similar to a butterfly stretch, with the bottoms of your feet touching and your elbows resting on your thighs. Lean forward with a flat back and draw your shoulders down and away from your ears.

Bridge pose 

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Begin on your back, with your feet on the floor. Lift your hips up, keeping your knees in line with your ankles. Interlace your fingers underneath you, pressing your hands into the floor as you do so.

Puppy pose 

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Start on all fours before walking your hands forward, keeping your knees and hips aligned. Hold the pose after your arms are straight and engaged.

Warrior II 

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With your feet spread wide, angle your front foot forward, keeping your back foot parallel to the back edge of the mat. Lean forward until your knee is directly over your ankle. Stretch out your arms so one is in front of you and one is behind you. Look out directly over your fingertips.

What are some of your favorite yoga poses?

xoxo,

Rachel