Evening Yoga For Beginners At Home

In Sanskrit, ‘tri’ = ‘three’, ‘kona’ = ‘angle, corners’, ‘asana’ = ‘posture’. Hence Trikonasana just means ‘three corners’ and the English title is Triangle Pose. This is a standing basic beginner-level yoga pose and forms part of almost all styles of yoga. A great way to open the hips, while also stretching the muscles around the spine. Compared to the practice of Utthita Trikonasana (Extended Triangle Pose), this requires more flexibility of the hips and the side abdominal muscles. Triangle Pose is considered a base pose as triangle pose variations can be derived from this pose.

Downward Facing Dog Pose or Adho Mukha Svanasana in Sanskrit (Adho means 'downwards', Mukha 'face', and Svana means 'dog') is a foundational yoga pose that is often used as a transitional pose between other yoga asanas. Downward Facing Dog position provides a great stretch and strengthens the entire body, especially the arms, shoulders, hamstrings, calves, and spine. It can also help to calm the mind and relieve stress. Adho Mukha Svanasana is considered a base pose as Downward Facing Dog Pose Variations can be derived from this pose. This is a great pose to boost energy in the body and hence can be included in flow yoga sequences.

Bow Pose or Dhanurasana in Sanskrit ('Dhanu' means 'bow', whereas 'asana' means 'pose' or 'posture') is a backbending yoga posture that resembles a bow when practiced.

This powerful pose works on all the parts of your back simultaneously. The balancing of the entire body on the lower abdomen makes the body look like a powerful and strong bow. This beautiful pose brings all the stretch that is needed to the entire back and works wonders on the abdominal muscles.

Bow Pose is considered a base pose as bow pose variations can be derived from this pose. Bow Pose helps boost energy in the body and hence can be included in flow yoga sequences.

Bridge pose, also known as Setu Bandhasana or Setu Bandha Sarvangasana in Sanskrit ('setu' means 'bridge', 'bandha' means 'bind' or 'lock', 'sarvanga' means 'all limbs' or 'the whole body', and 'asana' means 'pose'), is a yoga pose that strengthens the legs, hips, and back muscles, as well as opens up the chest and shoulders. Here in Setu Bandhasana the entire spine is so beautifully curved and away from the floor/mat, which looks like a bridge. This asana is rather multifaceted. It combines the elements of a backbend, inversion, supine neck flexion, and a heart opener. Simultaneously, it brings focus to the lower body, strengthening ankles, thighs, glutes, and hips. Additionally, it stretches and tones the abdominal muscles, which in turn results in a more stable core and improved digestion. Considering the plethora of benefits it provides, it would be a wise choice to include it in your daily practice. Setu Bandha Sarvangasana is a beginner-level backbending yoga pose. It is considered a base pose as bridge pose variations can be derived from this pose. Bridge Pose helps boost energy in the body and hence can be included in different yoga sequences.

Half Lord of the Fishes Pose or Ardha Matsyendrasana, is named after the great yogi Matsyendranath who founded Hatha Yoga. The English name, Half Lord of the Fishes Pose, comes from the Sanskrit words 'ardha' = 'half', 'matsya' = 'fish', 'eendra' = 'king'. This yoga pose has other variations and can be referred to as Half Spinal Twist Pose or Vakrasana (which means twist).

This yoga pose usually appears as a seated spinal twist with many variations and is one of the twelve basic yoga poses (asanas) in many systems of Hatha Yoga. In this yoga pose the spine gets its maximum twist at the upper back with the thighs placed over each other and with the support of the arms the torso gets its twist.

Pigeon Pose, Half Pigeon Pose, Eka Pada Kapotasana, or simply Kapotasana in Sanskrit (eka, meaning "one," pada, meaning "foot" or "leg," raja, meaning "king," kapota, meaning "pigeon," and asana, meaning "pose.") is named after a great yogic master Kapota.

Half Pigeon Pose is a challenging pose and comes under the category of Intermediate Level Poses. This asana helps practitioners to better open their hips, improve their backbend and stretch their torso preparing the whole body for more complex poses like Eka Pada Rajakapotasana A and B.

Easy Pose or Sukhasana from the Sanskrit word ‘Sukha’ meaning ‘Pleasure’ and 'Asana' means 'Pose', is a beginner-level restorative and meditative pose. Easy Pose is done with the crossing of the legs in the simplest form, unlike other meditative poses. This posture is excellent for meditation, and pranayama. It also works well to bring the mind and breath under control at the beginning or at the end of a yoga class. Sukhasana is considered a base pose as Easy Pose variations can be derived from this pose. It's a warm-up yoga pose to prepare the body for more intense yoga poses or flows.

Half Lord of the Fishes Pose or Ardha Matsyendrasana, is named after the great yogi Matsyendranath who founded Hatha Yoga. The English name, Half Lord of the Fishes Pose, comes from the Sanskrit words 'ardha' = 'half', 'matsya' = 'fish', 'eendra' = 'king'. This yoga pose has other variations and can be referred to as Half Spinal Twist Pose or Vakrasana (which means twist).

This yoga pose usually appears as a seated spinal twist with many variations and is one of the twelve basic yoga poses (asanas) in many systems of Hatha Yoga. In this yoga pose the spine gets its maximum twist at the upper back with the thighs placed over each other and with the support of the arms the torso gets its twist.

Happy Baby Pose or Ananda Balasana in Sanskrit (‘Ananda’ means ‘Happy’ and ‘Bala’ means a ‘Baby’) is an excellent grounding pose. Interestingly, it is also called the Dead Bug Pose, because of the position that the body takes up while performing this pose.

This yoga pose is considered one of the restorative poses which can be done for better sleep and full body relaxation. Apart from that the pose stretches the inner groins and the back spine, thus Ananda Balasana works as a soft hip opener.

Happy Baby Pose is considered a base pose as happy baby pose variations can be derived from this pose.

Verse 32 of the first chapter of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika states: ‘Lying upon one’s back on the ground at the full length like a corpse is called Savasana. This removes the fatigue caused by the other yoga poses and induces calmness of mind’. In Sanskrit ‘Sava’ means 'corpse' and 'asana' means 'pose' thus the name of the pose in English is Corpse Pose.

In Corpse Yoga Pose, the objective is to imitate a corpse by keeping the body still. By remaining motionless for some time and keeping the mind still while you are fully conscious, you learn to relax. This conscious relaxation invigorates and refreshes both body and mind.

This apparently easy posture is one of the most difficult to master, irrespective of the level of yoga practice or body flexibility.

Garland Pose or Malasana is a very basic pose and should come naturally to all. But with modern comfort and habits, the simple bending of the knee and sitting on our feet has become a great challenge to most of us. Malasana brings back the most simple way of using the lower back and the knees to squat on the floor which otherwise should come naturally.

Garland Pose works wonders on the digestive organs and this is done by the simple method of sending apana (one of the five vital Vayus as per Yoga) downwards and thus bringing a strong Muladhara (one of the Chakras in the human body as per Yoga Sutras), which is the root of the spine.

Garland Pose is considered a base pose as garland pose variations can be derived from this pose. Garland Pose helps boost energy in the body and hence can be included in flow yoga sequences.

Reclining Bound Angle Pose or Supta Baddha Konasana in Sanskrit (‘supta’=’reclined’, ‘baddha’= ‘bound’, ‘kona' = ‘angle’ or ‘split’ and ‘asana’=’posture’. This pose comes under the category of restorative yoga poses, where while practicing yoga practitioner is more conscious of the body in order to renew energy and calm the nervous system. Generally, this pose concludes a yoga session to end in a beautifully relaxing way to gain control over the body and the mind. The supine position gives rest to the back and the hips and hence this pose is a must as part of every yoga session. Most relaxing yoga poses look easy but they require tremendous effort to bring the mind to focus on the body while the body is relaxed. This only comes through practice. Reclining Bound Angle Pose is considered a base pose as reclining bound angle pose variations can be derived from this pose. Reclining Bound Angle Pose helps boost energy in the body and hence can be included in flow yoga sequences.

Bridge pose, also known as Setu Bandhasana or Setu Bandha Sarvangasana in Sanskrit ('setu' means 'bridge', 'bandha' means 'bind' or 'lock', 'sarvanga' means 'all limbs' or 'the whole body', and 'asana' means 'pose'), is a yoga pose that strengthens the legs, hips, and back muscles, as well as opens up the chest and shoulders. Here in Setu Bandhasana the entire spine is so beautifully curved and away from the floor/mat, which looks like a bridge. This asana is rather multifaceted. It combines the elements of a backbend, inversion, supine neck flexion, and a heart opener. Simultaneously, it brings focus to the lower body, strengthening ankles, thighs, glutes, and hips. Additionally, it stretches and tones the abdominal muscles, which in turn results in a more stable core and improved digestion. Considering the plethora of benefits it provides, it would be a wise choice to include it in your daily practice. Setu Bandha Sarvangasana is a beginner-level backbending yoga pose. It is considered a base pose as bridge pose variations can be derived from this pose. Bridge Pose helps boost energy in the body and hence can be included in different yoga sequences.

Child’s Pose in Sanskrit (‘Bala’, means ‘child’, 'asana' means 'pose'). Balasana or Child’s Pose is generally practiced at the end of an intense yoga sequence where the connection of the breath and the movement of the body would have been lost. The practice of Balasana concluding such a sequence, allows one to come to peace with the body with the connection of the breath. No doubt all yoga poses should lead to the connection of the breath and the body, but certain poses are challenging where the chest and the abdomen are compressed or pulled, creating uneasiness with the breathing. With Balasana, the spine remains relaxed in a forward fold and forces one to focus on breathing with the compressing of the abdomen and the chest towards the tummy. On the other hand, Balasana can be used purely as a restorative pose to heal patients with severe backaches, and insomnia, treat blood pressure, or just simply bring stress levels down. Child Pose is considered a base pose as child pose variations can be derived from this pose. Child Pose helps boost energy in the body and hence can be included in different yoga sequences. Child Pose is considered a warm-up and restorative yoga pose to prepare or restore the body before or after more intense yoga poses.

Legs Up the Wall Pose or Viparita Karani in Sanskrit (term that refers to the ‘action of inverting’). Thus it is more of a general action rather than an asana and hence the name does not end with ‘asana’. Viparita Karani is an inversion under the category of shoulderstand poses, but is easier to hold for extended periods of time. It is also considered as a restorative pose and hence releases tension in the body and mind.

Legs Up The Wall Pose is considered a base pose as legs up the wall pose variations can be derived from this pose.