International Yoga Day 2023: Stress and anxiety often become unwanted companions in the hustle and bustle of our busy working lives. However, even a little yoga can be a powerful tool in helping us deal with these challenges and find balance amidst the chaos.
As we celebrate International Yoga Day, it is an opportune time for beginners to begin their yoga journey and experience the benefits of this ancient practice.
Here are some of the top Moj yogis, makers of the Moj app that you can follow to start your yoga journey in a simple way.
Downward-facing Dog (Downward-Facing Svanasana)
Begin by pressing the palms firmly into the mat. Lift your hips up toward the ceiling, creating a mountain shape with your body. Elongate your spine, relax your head and neck, allowing them to hang freely. Moj creator Pooja Agnihotri recommended this asana. This pose stretches the entire body, especially the shoulders, hamstrings and calves. It also helps strengthen the muscles of the arms, legs and core, while promoting a feeling of calmness and rejuvenation.
child’s pose (balasana)
Kneel on the mat, sit back on your heels. Lower your torso forward, placing it between your thighs. You can extend your arms in front of you or keep them alongside your body. Breathe deeply, surrender, and relax in this gentle pose. Moj’s creator Vineet Tripathi recommends this yoga pose. Child’s pose is a restorative asana that promotes relaxation, relieves tension in the back, neck and shoulders, and helps calm the mind. This is a great pose for releasing tension and restoring energy.
Virabhadrasana II – Warrior II
Step one foot back and align it with the front heel. Extend your arms parallel to the ground, reaching in opposite directions. Leaning down with both feet, focus on the front fingers. Preeti Kohli, creator of Moj, recommends this yoga position. Warrior II pose strengthens the legs, improves balance and opens the hips and chest. It also promotes concentration, endurance and a sense of empowerment.
Tree pose (Vrikshasana)
Stand straight and shift your weight to one leg. Keeping the sole of your other foot from the knee joint, place it on the inner thigh. Bring your hands to your heart center or extend them overhead. Find your balance and embrace the strength and stability of a tree. Tree pose improves balance, coordination, and concentration. Yash Shah, the creator of Moj, recommends this final yoga asana. It strengthens the muscles of the legs and core while promoting a sense of grounding and inner peace.
Remember, as a beginner, it is essential to listen to your body and practice at your own pace. Yoga is a personal journey and each person’s experience will be unique.
Start with these basic asanas, and gradually explore and expand your practice. With regular dedication and patience, yoga can become a transformative and lifelong practice that nurtures your physical, mental and emotional well-being.
For this International Yoga Day, we strongly recommend following these yogis on the Moj app to experience peace and increase your flexibility, as yoga is the key to unlocking inner peace.