The dreaded winter is much more than just cuddling under a blanket! As this cold season is approaching, many are beginning to suffer from muscle stiffness and joint pains are increasing. So, I felt there was an urgent need to share some great yoga poses that could help everyone around the world to get rid of their pains and enjoy the winter with no muscle stiffness. So, here I am, sharing the experiences so that everyone benefits from the simple, yet effective, yoga poses. Let’s get going…
1. Yoga Pose: Rear Arm Lift with Strap
This pose is for those with shoulder pains. Stand straight with your hips width apart. Hold a strap in both the hands. Sweep both the arms behind your back and pull the shoulders in to grasp the strap with your hands. Keep the hands drawn towards each other and create an opening in the chest allowing the shoulder blades to move toward one another. Breathe in and out as you adjust the shoulders to ease the tension.
2. Yoga Pose: Cobra
This one is for back pains. Just lie down with your face downwards and your forehead resting on the floor. Keep your hands on either side and draw the legs together, while pressing the top of the feet into the floor. Reach back slowly, while lengthening your legs. Then, press through your hands and draw the elbows close to the ribcage. Lift the head and chest using the strength of the back and slide the shoulder blades backwards. Take 5-10 deep breaths and then, gently release to the floor.
3. Yoga Pose: Supported Warrior
Now coming to the pose for the knee pains…Stand straight and place your hands against a wall in line with the shoulders. Step your right foot forward to touch the toes to the wall and bend your elbows as if trying to push the wall.
Step your left foot about 1 foot behind you, while slightly bending the left knee towards the floor. Hold for about 10 to 15 breaths and straighten the left leg slowly while bending the right knee. Hold for 10 to 15 breaths and then step the left foot in front of you to meet the right.
4. Yoga Pose: Wall Plank
This pose is good for relieving the pain and stiffness in the shoulders. Stand facing a wall with your feet hip-width apart. Keep your palms against the wall with your arms extended. Lean forward, slowly letting the body rest on the hands. Keep the arms and the body in a straight line and bend your elbows inching closer till the nose touches the wall. Then, push back slowly to the standing position.
5. Yoga Pose: Butterfly
Yoga has a pose for hip pains as well. Sit on a blanket on the floor and bring the soles of the feet together. Keep your knees wide apart so that the legs form a diamond. Your back should be straight and shoulders relaxed. Breathe in and out as you gently drop the weight of the legs, while allowing the knees to lower to the floor. You may place pillows beneath your knees for support.
Some of these poses may be difficult to practice for those having severe muscle stiffness. But, don’t be disheartened. Yoga has an answer for everything! Until you are fit enough to practise these poses, use the massage balls to eliminate the muscle knots through gentle massage using your own body weight. Just place these balls in the stiff areas and let the gravity take over. This self-healing tool allows you to feel the release of muscles and rejuvenates all areas of the body.
Nothing can be more simple than this! You may continue using the massage balls even after you are able to start practising the poses for added benefits and to say a permanent goodbye to muscle stiffness.