3 Asana Yoga Postures to Keep You Healthy, Warm, and Motivated This Winter in Kansas City

Practice these 3 asanas just a little bit longer.

When the temperatures drop, yoga has the ability to provide warmth from within. By engaging in a series of fluid movements and extended poses that target your main muscle groups, you can ignite your inner fire and rid yourself of the cold, leaving you with a heightened sense of energy and increased warmth.

Down dog, plank, and Warrior 2 heat the body from within helping the immune system and providing a sense of well-being. See our break down of these poses below!

ASANA #1
DOWNWARD FACING DOG
(ADHO MUKHA SVANASANA)

Translation from Sanskrit: Down Face Dog
Yoga Difficulty Level: Suitable for Beginners
Type of Pose: Standing and Inverted
Advantages: Engages your entire body, activating and energizing your muscles.
Reason for Practicing this Pose: Downward Facing Dog stimulates movement and generates warmth in the arms, legs, and core muscles.

Benefits
Lengthens the spine
Downward dog provides a deep stretch to the hamstrings, calves, and Achilles tendon, promoting flexibility and increased range of motion.
Improves blood circulation
The inverted nature of downward dog, with the head positioned below the heart, enhances circulation and blood flow throughout the body.
Alleviates tension and stress
By stretching and releasing tension from the neck and back, downward dog helps reduce stress levels. Additionally, the increased blood flow to the brain can alleviate headaches, mental fatigue, and mild depression.

ASANA #2
PLANK POSE (PHALAKASANA)

Translation from Sanskrit: Plank Pose
Yoga Difficulty Level: Suitable for Beginners
Type of Pose: Arm Support
Advantages: Engages your entire body, activating and energizing your muscles.
Reason for Practicing this Pose: To ignite the inner fire within you, try holding the Plank pose for a duration of one minute. Engage your abdominal muscles by softly pulling your belly button towards your spine.
Advantages of Plank Pose
Enhances core strength
Boosts arm and wrist strength
Promotes digestion stimulation

Plank pose is not only a popular exercise for the abs but also a fundamental element in the Ashtanga yoga sequences due to its ability to strengthen the shoulders and tone the spine.

ASANA #3
WARRIOR 2
(ADHO MUKHA SVANASANA)

Translation from Sanskrit: Warrior
Yoga Difficulty Level: Suitable for Beginners
Type of Pose: Standing
Advantages: Engages your entire body, activating and energizing your muscles.

Benefits
Opens the hips and shoulders.
Stretches the inner thighs, groin, and chest.
Strengthens the legs, abs, and arms.

Winter can be a chilly time, but incorporating yoga poses that generate heat can bring some much-needed warmth to the season. These poses not only help combat the cold by getting your blood flowing but also contribute to a cozy and comforting feeling. The physical activity involved in these poses increases your body temperature, making you feel more invigorated and ready to face the crisp winter air. Additionally, the mindful aspect of yoga helps to reduce stress and promote relaxation, creating a perfect balance of warmth and tranquility during the colder months. So, whether you're looking to stay active or just seeking a toasty escape from the winter blues, these warming yoga poses might just be the secret to keeping both your body and spirit warm all season long.