Yoga has many health benefits, whether you’re practicing alone or with a partner. The poses you do while practicing can help to strengthen both your body and mind. Two-person poses take this incentive even further by encouraging couples or friends to engage in yoga with one another.
Butterfly
Begin by sitting cross-legged in a yoga pose, facing each other. Take your left foot and place it over your partner’s right knee and do the same with the other foot. Interlock your fingers together. Complete in taking deep breaths and hold the pose for 30 seconds.
This two-person pose is great for hip-opening and stretching. It’s a great way to relieve stress and tension, while bringing the focus back to the breath while bonding with your partner.
King and Queen
An asymmetrical pose, the two-person King and Queen pose encourages communication and coordination. Begin by both partners sitting cross-legged, facing each other. Release your torso back while both arms reach forward and interlock in the middle. As you inhale, both partners lift their torso and bring their elbows in closer together. Hold for one minute, keeping important communication, laughter, and love all throughout.
This bond-building pose is great for trust, stability, and balance. Focus on your shared breaths and strengthen your relationship with this two-person pose. You can even try to move the pose while still interlocked in the middle.
Airplane
Begin in a wide-legged straddle, facing your partner. Then, slowly reach your arms forward and back, keeping the elbows and upper arms attached. The other partner will do the same while back-bending as far as they can. Interlock your arms in the middle and hold for 2 minutes as your synchronization increases.
The airplane pose emphasizes team work and the importance of communication to the practice of yoga. Enjoy the support of your partner and the increased flexibility you’re feeling from this pose.
Seated Forehead-to-Knee
Begin by sitting in a cross-legged position and facing each other. The right arm of one partner will be leaning against the right shoulder of the other partner. Extend your left arm and make sure the tips of your fingers touch. Maintain this balance and synchronize with the breath.
The seated forehead-to-knee pose is great for strengthening both abdominal muscles and the areas around the shoulder. It’s also great for stretching the spine and shoulders, reducing stress and fatigue. Board with your partner while you both complete this pose.
No matter which two-person pose or yoga pose you choose to do, there’s no doubt that it’s a fun way to get moving with your partner. Whether you decide to go for beginner poses or more complex poses, make sure to always put safety first. Grab the mat and your partner — it’s time to get your yoga on!
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