Fitness

6 Relaxing Yoga Poses to Try at H(ommmm)e

For a quick breather -- try these calming yoga poses in your living room

by Lila Glick

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Legs Up the Wall Pose This is a simple way to relieve tired legs and feet from a long day at work. Since it's an inversion, this pose can "drain lymphatic fluid from the lower extremities, reduce swelling in the feet and ankles, and improve circulation," says yoga instructor Chrissy Carter.

Here are her steps:

1. Lie down with your hips close to a wall and stretch your legs up towards the ceiling.

2. If you feel any strain in your hamstrings, move your pelvis a few inches away from the wall.

3. For an even more relaxing stretch, place a looped belt around the outer edges of your feet, with your feet slightly wider than hip-width apart. The belt relieves your muscles from the effort to keep your legs up, and it also gently rolls the thighs in to create more space in your lower back.

SEE NEXT PAGE: Supine Bound Angle

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Older comments

Nice & relaxing!

by EricaC123 Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 04:36PM Report as inappropriate

love these poses! i practice yoga regularly but need the reminder that i can do these outside the studio too :)

by jenstar313 Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 10:45AM Report as inappropriate

yoga is fantastic for relaxation!

by venenumletalis Thursday, April 18, 2013 at 06:01PM Report as inappropriate

I'll be doing these more often, looks relaxing.

by Monique3 Wednesday, April 17, 2013 at 07:19PM Report as inappropriate

These look like fun and easy enough!

by yestfl Wednesday, April 17, 2013 at 07:13PM Report as inappropriate

Reminds me of ballet and dance classes many years ago--we wound do these beforehand. So RELAXING! I am motivated to try these immediately.

by GigiSD Wednesday, April 17, 2013 at 05:43PM Report as inappropriate

I studied Iyengar yoga for several years, and all of these poses are indeed relaxing and restorative. Supine bound angle pose (AKA supta baddha konasana) is also an excellent pose for relieving menstrual cramps. This is inspiration to to get back into some gentle yoga at home.

by purple9a Wednesday, April 17, 2013 at 03:30PM Report as inappropriate