Hip Opening
These postures primarily open up the joints and muscles in the hip area. This offers greater mobility and easier movement of the legs, hips and spine. Hip opening poses can relieve lower back pain and increase bloodflow to the pelvis and reproductive organs.
Standing
Standing poses are often easier for beginners than other categories of poses. Standing postures work on strengthening the feet, ankles, legs and hips. They also help improve overall posture. These poses are often good for practicing alignment and finding your center. Standing postures also offer a sense of grounding and stability.
Balance
Balancing postures can include standing balance poses, arm balance poses, and others. Balancing can improve your focus and concentration as you block out all else while trying not to fall. They can also improve strength and overall balancing skills.
Backbends
Backbends open up the front body while strengthening the muscles in the back and shoulders. These heart-opening postures are energizing and cultivate a sense of courage and lightness. By activating the adrenal glands, backbends can promote feelings of happiness and wellbeing.
Forward Bends
Forward bends stretch the entire backside of the body and can improve flexibility in the hamstrings, buttocks and lower back. These postures also bring attention to the abdominal organs. Forward bends bring awreness inward and instill a sense of calm and are soothing to the nervous system.
Arm Balance
Arm balance postures strengthen the hands, wrists, arms, shoulders and upper back. They also help tone the abdominal muscles. Arm balances are often empowering and cultivate focus and concentration.
Inversions
Inversion poses imply that the head is lower to the ground than the heart. This means an increased bloodflow to the brain and a strengthened circulatory system. These poses can also have a soothing effect on nerves and may relieve headaches.
Twists
Twists are a great way to detox the entire body. By squeezing and constricting internal organs, releasing the twist allows for an abundance of new bloodflow. Twists can aid in digestion by toning internal organs. These poses also help create a symmetry and balance of the body.