Sometimes we find it easy to love others - family, friends, pets, even beloved places and trinkets. But self-love can be a completely different ball game. Giving yourself the care, attention, indulgences and time that you deserve. How often do you give yourself a little me time?
There are so many ways you can introduce or elevate the quality of your self loving routine. A great way to start is to have a self-loving yoga practice. For days when a yoga asana is what the mind and body craves, here are some top self-love poses to get you started:
Savasana (Corpse Pose)
The sweet ending, or beginning, to any yoga practice. It is said to be the most important pose in the whole of yoga. Through movement, we find strength, release and often exhilaration. Through the stillness of Savasana, we allow ourselves to find relaxation and delve into the true essence of yoga - to find peace and connect our mind, body and breath into a calm oneness. Using props, pillows and blankets, indulge yourself into the comfiest Savasana, and allow the bliss to wash over you.
Viparita Karani (Legs Up Wall Pose)
A gentle inversion pose, where all you need is a wall and perhaps a blanket under the hips for a little pelvic tilt. Come into this pose by sitting with your right hip against the wall, then gently swinging your legs up using your hands to support, then come to lie down. Maybe a little shuffle forward to get your legs fully against the wall, tuck the folded blanket underneath the hips, then remain here for 5 - 7 mins.
This pose encourages blood circulation and a gentle boost to the upper body and head. This allows rebalancing to happen after standing/ sitting for a while. It is also refreshing for those feeling stress or fatigue, and helps to relieve headaches.
Virabhadrasana II (Warrior II)
A well known pose throughout Yoga styles, and like the title suggests, this pose makes us feel empowered. Standing with right toes facing the front, right knee bent and inline with the heel, and left leg long with foot inline with the back edge of the mat with a strong lunge. With hips squared to the long edge of the mat, arms are out wide and strong, gazing just beyond the middle finger.
As you completely open the body and breathe into the space you are making, this pose encourages you to feel strength and change the way you think about yourself. This so-called ‘power pose’ has been proven to help reinforce self-esteem and feel warrior-like!
Balasna (Child's Pose)
Most yoga teachers will tell the class that if the flow gets too much, come to Child’s Pose. And that’s true anytime when things get too much! Simply come to sit with your hips on your heels, toes untucked, and gently bow down with your arms reaching forward. Your forehead may reach the floor, if not, find a block to place underneath. Knees can come as wide as comfortable, and let your breath slow down.
By coming into Child’s Pose, you feel grounded with the third eye connecting to earth which instantly allows the mind to soothe. The hugging in effect allows us to feel comfort, while the gentle stretch in the back opens the back of the heart. By deepening the breath and allowing the belly to rest between the thighs, you are reminded to take a break and to calm down.
Utrasana (Camel Pose) - Beginner Variation
A heart-opening pose to energise our heart chakra - perfect for some self love! To come into this variation of Camel Pose, begin kneeling with knees hip distance apart, toes tucked under. Bring your hands to your lower back with fingers pointing up or down - whatever feels most comfortable to allow your elbows to draw to the midline. Inhale to lengthen the spine, exhale to engage the core and keep hips inline with the knees as you lean slightly back. Stay for 60 seconds breathing deeply. Then come out slowly in reverse with hands on lower back, chin to chest. Sit on untucked heels for 30 seconds to counter pose.
This pose allows your heart chakra to open wide! This encourages you to love yourself and your body, release out into the world, and feel powerful and reinvigorated.
Give these poses a go, take your time in each, and don’t forget to simply breathe. Breathe and settle into each pose and let the love wash over you!