Want more Christmas cheer? Here are five festive yoga poses to help

Well, my last post about looking after your wellbeing in winter was going to be my last one before Christmas. Then after being struck by a flash of seasonal inspiration, I couldn’t help but post a blog with some yoga poses to help Christmas be even more brilliant.
 
Please also note that usual yoga rules apply at Christmas – warm up first, consult a professional if you have any medical issues, don't do a physical yoga practice if you’ve just eaten a load of mince pies (or other food) and it’s not clever to do yoga after drinking sherry and other alcoholic beverages.  

Moments of mindfulness will also help this Christmas. Bring your mind to your body and notice how you are feeling, observe your breath for a few breaths or just bring your attention to whatever is going on in front of you. Practicing mindfulness can help you really be present, which can have more benefits than even the biggest presents.

Here, then, are some suggestions for festive yoga poses:-

1. Warrior

Feeling stressed about getting through the day or you have some challenging visitors coming? Warrior poses can help you feel strong and confident. Taking your feet about a leg-length apart, turn a front foot outwards and your rear foot inwards, bend your front knee so it remains above your ankle and keep your back leg straight. Raise your arms to shoulder height (a straight line from fingertip to fingertip is great) and feel strong and confident like a warrior.  Ready to crack open some chestnuts, stuff the turkey or take out the recycling.

2. Forward bend
​Paused from peeling Brussel sprouts for a minute and noticed tension in your upper body? Try a standing forward bend to release tension in your upper back and shoulders. Link your hands together, stretch your arms out in front of you, turn your fingers away, drop your head between your arms if that feels okay for your body and breathe into any tension you can feel. Hold as long as feels good before releasing slowly.

2. Backbend
​Spent a load of time replying to Christmas messages on your phone or checking out what presents everyone else has had on Facebook? Try a mini-backbend to re-open up your chest area. Standing with your feet about hip-width apart, link your fingers behind your back, stretch your hands towards the base of your spine and feel your chest opening up. Breathe into your chest area and release when ready. Notice how you feel after this energising pose.

3. Lairy Lion
Did Santa forget to buy you a Mr Frosty AGAIN? Lairy Lion can be a great way to release anger. Stand with your feet hip width apart, with your elbows bent, raise your hands to shoulder height, then on an exhale, bend your knees, make your hands into claws, stick your tongue out and and make the noise ‘RAAR’. Maybe one for in the kitchen when no-one is looking, unless you have understanding guests.

5. Legs up against the wall
Had a long day?  Lying on your back with your legs in the air is a brilliant way to destress. Let your arms fall by your sides, close your eyes, let your body relax and let any tensions melt away.  Come out of this pose very gently, rolling to one side for a few moments and coming to standing very slowly. This pose is a great way to relax.

Thanks to Liz Childerley (The Salemaker) for the photos.

Would love to know what you think - please comment below.  Wishing you health and happiness this Christmas and throughout the New Year.

 
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