Self-Love & Yoga

Courtesy Photo by Pexels-Tiffany Freeman

Self-love can be practiced through yoga by using mantras and opening the heart with specific poses. For example, the Knees-to-chest Pose is done by bringing your knees to your chest while wrapping your arms around your legs. This pose is also called the Pig Pose or the Wind Relieving Pose. This yoga pose is used for digestion, but it can also be used for developing self-compassion for yourself. Use a mat, a yoga pillow, and comfortable clothes while doing this pose lying down.

Another pose is the Eagle Pose where you wrap your arms and cross your legs. This pose helps you balance yourself while standing up. You can do the Eagle Pose on a chair for a comfortable position or as an alternative pose if you have problems with your balance. This pose helps your respiratory system and makes you focus more. You can also say a mantra or a positive affirmation.  

An additional yoga pose is the Rabbit Pose. This pose is done by bending your knees and touching the heels of your feet. This pose helps you to stretch your arms and your entire body. You bend your neck, and your head almost touches your knees. Another variation of this pose is by putting your arms up on your back with your hands folded.

Then, you can do a Lotus Pose by putting your hand on your chest and one hand on your stomach. After that do breathing exercises while you close your eyes or without closing your eyes. The Lotus Pose can be done by sitting down but you can also do the Lotus Pose by standing up. You can raise one leg and place it on top of your thigh while putting your hands in a Salutation Seal or Namaste position. The Salutation Seal is used for beginning and ending your Yoga session.

Namaste means “I bow to you”. But it can also mean “I bow to the divine in you.” This salutation is used to show respect and honor to someone in yoga classes. However, if you want to say hello in Hindi, it is best to say “Namaste Ji”. Furthermore, if you join a yoga class or practice yoga in school, you will learn to say “Namaste.”

Keep in mind that there are diverse types of yoga for physical, intellectual, social, and for spiritual health. It is good for your heart and for your overall health. It is not a religion although some people confuse yoga with religion. Yet, yoga is one common practice for calming down from the stress that is received from people and from our daily lifestyle. These are only a few examples of practicing self-love with yoga.

Self-love is a daily process that needs to be exercised and only you can achieve it. It is more difficult to do these days because of bitter people who try to make you feel less than. As well as people who are not happy with themselves try to make other people feel horrible and not enjoy the beauty of life. Whether those people have children or not, they are still bitter from the inside, which is obvious by their actions, mannerism, and with their facial expressions. Not everyone is like this but always practice self-love as an alternative to people’s bitterness.

Although, you do not know what these people are feeling from the inside while they look harsh from the outside; You can still sense their anger and bad attitude. Unfortunately, you cannot help these people even if you are a professional psychologist or a therapist. Yet, you can care for yourself by working on your self-love. This will help you with your mental health and for your happiness. Here are more resources about practicing self-love with yoga.

 

A Yoga Teacher & Yoga Student's Guide to Self-Love Through Yoga:

A Yoga Teacher & Yoga Student's Guide to Self-Love Through Yoga (beyogi.com)

Yoga for Self-Love- A 5 Pose Home Practice (Yoga Journal):

Yoga for Self-Love | A 5-Pose Home Practice (yogajournal.com)

8 Yoga Poses that Promote Self-Love-Life for Me:

8 Yoga Poses that Promote Self-Love (liforme.com)

* Courtesy Photo by Tiffany Freeman