| Looking for an instant energy boost? Yoga can help. | | | | 3. Downward Facing Dog |
| Yoga can smooth out your moods, energizing you | | | | Dogs know how to stretch. If you've ever watched |
| when you're tired, and relaxing you when you're | | | | a dog waking up, the first thing he does is downward |
| stressed. Make time for yoga during your busy day: | | | | facing dog pose. This pose stretches his muscles and |
| you can even do yoga at work -- just close your | | | | gets his entire body ready for action. |
| office door. | | | | As with all the forward bending poses, this pose |
| Here are four poses which will give you an instant | | | | gives you a new perspective. |
| energy boost. | | | | From mountain pose, get down on your hands and |
| 1. Mountain Pose | | | | knees, and then go into downward facing dog pose. |
| When you're standing in mountain pose, you're | | | | Maintain the pose for five breaths, lifting your hips |
| focusing on your body's alignment and on your | | | | towards the ceiling. Then walk your feet forward until |
| breathing. Your everyday concerns drop away and | | | | they're between your hands, and get up into |
| within a couple of moments you're relaxed and | | | | mountain pose again. |
| focused. Practice mountain pose for a minute or two | | | | 4. Cobra |
| every hour when you have a busy day. You'll be | | | | Cobra pose stretches out your back and is a great |
| amazed at how this very simple pose revitalizes your | | | | corrective if you've been sitting in an office chair for |
| mind and body: it gives you an instant shot of energy | | | | several hours. |
| and helps you see everything more clearly. | | | | Just maintain the pose for five breaths, and come |
| 2. Forward Bend | | | | out of the pose into downward facing dog, and from |
| There are several popular forward bend poses which | | | | there walk your feet forward and come back up into |
| you can do. All of them help to relieve stress. Just | | | | mountain pose. |
| pick your favorite forward bend pose, and maintain | | | | Try these four poses, they'll give you an instant |
| the pose for at least five slow breaths. Inhale deeply | | | | energy boost during your busy day. They're |
| before you come up, this helps to prevent dizziness. | | | | especially useful when you come home from work, |
| You can create a sequence with forward bends. | | | | and then have to go out again. You'll find afterward |
| After standing in mountain pose for five breaths, | | | | you get your second wind and you're more relaxed |
| bend your body from your hips with a straight back | | | | too. |
| and maintain the forward bend pose for five breaths. | | | | If you've been confining your yoga to weekly yoga |
| Then come back up into mountain pose. | | | | classes, try these simple poses which help you to |
| After this sequence, you'll find that you're totally | | | | integrate yoga into your daily life. |
| relaxed, and energized too. | | | | |