We all seek peace of mind and yoga can help you get it! Malaika Arora recently shared her favorite calming yoga poses that improve mental clarity.
Malaika Arora, a famous Bollywood celebrity and fitness enthusiast, is widely known for her commitment to yoga and health. Known as a ‘yogini’, she actively shares her fitness journey on social media, inspiring her fans to live a healthy lifestyle. Her Instagram account is a treasure trove of workout tips and motivational content, showing her dedication to her yoga practice. After her father’s death, Malaika recently shared a calming yoga pose that is known to promote mental peace and calm which will calm the mind. If you are someone who has a stressful lifestyle or is facing challenges, these poses can be done gently to promote relaxation and emotional balance.
Malaika Arora shares relaxing yoga poses
In the Instagram reel, he is seen doing an eagle pose and a cow face pose and he captioned the video, “This part of my life is called PEACE!” Not just B-town divas, these poses offer several benefits and promote a sense of calm and peace.
See the post here:
Find your Zen with these yoga poses approved by Malaika Arora:
1. Eagle pose (Garudasana)
Eagle Pose (Garudasana) is a standing balance pose that involves rotating one hand over the other and one foot over the other. This pose offers many benefits as it targets the muscles of the calves, ankles, thighs, and hips, helping to improve balance and core strength. Additionally, it stretches the hips, thighs, and shoulders, increasing flexibility and promoting a wider range of motion. This pose encourages mindfulness and deep breathing which can help reduce mental health problems such as stress and anxiety. It also stimulates blood circulation throughout the body, allowing organs to function properly. Even more? Eagle pose helps improve posture by aligning the spine and strengthening the lower body.
Also read: Malaika Arora reveals how meditation brought changes in her life
How to do eagle pose?
Here are 8 simple steps to do eagle pose at home and get all the benefits it has to offer you:
- Stand straight with your feet hip-width apart. Distribute your weight evenly on both feet and engage your core.
- Bend your knees slightly, keeping your back straight. This will help you find balance and prepare for the pose.
- Lift your right leg and cross it to the left. If possible, hook your right foot behind your left calf. If that’s too challenging, just lean on your calves.
- Extend your arms forward at shoulder level. Cross your left arm over your right at the elbow, then bend your elbow and wrap your right arm around your left, touching your palms together if you can.
- Focus on a point in front of you to help maintain balance. Engage your core and keep your shoulders low and relaxed.
- As you begin the pose, raise your elbows to shoulder height and take a deep breath.
Stay in this position for 15-20 seconds, focus on breathing and maintaining balance. - To return to the starting position, slowly release your arms and legs. Repeat this pose on the opposite side, crossing your left leg over your right and your right arm over your left.
2. Cow face pose (Gomukhasana)
Cow face pose (Gomukhasana) is a seated yoga pose in which you stack your knees and stretch your arms behind you. If done regularly, this pose helps increase flexibility and release tension in the hips and shoulders. This pose provides many benefits, including stretching the hip and chest muscles, improving body posture, reducing stress and anxiety, and improving blood circulation throughout the body. While this exercise primarily stretches the hip flexors, buttocks, and chest, it also targets the shoulders, triceps, and lower back. Overall, this is a great way to increase flexibility and promote relaxation.
How to do cow face pose?
Following these 7 simple steps can help you do the cow face pose easily without any tension:
- Start sitting on a yoga mat with your legs extended in front of you.
- Bend your knees, moving your feet towards your hips. Cross your right knee over your left knee to sit in Sukhasana pose. Your feet should be positioned outside your hips.
- Make sure your right foot is behind your left hip and your left foot is behind your right hip. Keep both legs bent.
- Sit up straight, keep your back straight. Engage your core to maintain the pose.
- Extend your right arm straight up, then bend your elbow, extending your hand under your back. With your left arm, reach behind your back and try to grasp your right finger. If you can’t reach it, use a rope or towel to hold it in place.
- Take a few deep breaths, letting your shoulders relax and your chest open. Stay in this pose for 30 seconds to a minute.
- Release your arms, straighten your legs, and switch to the other side, repeating the same steps.
Who should avoid these poses?
Cow face pose and eagle pose improve flexibility and endurance, but may not be suitable for everyone. People with knee injuries, hip problems, or serious shoulder problems should avoid these poses, as deep joint flexion and rotation can worsen these conditions. In addition, pregnant women, especially in the later stages, should avoid these poses because of the pressure on the stomach. It’s best to consult a health professional or yoga instructor to determine if this pose is safe for you.