Instead of spending Friday night watching Netflix and ordering takeout, why not try couples yoga to strengthen your relationship? Partner yoga involves supporting each other in various poses, which helps improve posture and communication. As social creatures, we all need connections with others to thrive and feel emotionally healthy.
However, fostering fulfilling relationships in today’s fast-paced, stressful world can seem challenging. Work, social media, and other distractions can distract from quality time with our partners. That’s where partner yoga comes in, which involves various yoga poses that require two people to work together to achieve a common goal.
Couples yoga provides physical benefits and can help improve communication, trust, and connection, ultimately strengthening relationships. Below, we’ll discuss a few yoga poses for couples to practice together to help build intimacy.
Couples Yoga Pose 1: Partner Breathing
To perform partner breathing, sit facing your partner and place your hands on each other’s chests. Take a deep breath in and exhale slowly. Feel your partner’s chest rise and fall with yours as you exhale. Synchronized breathing exercises can improve mindfulness and deepen communication with your significant other.
Studies show partner yoga can also enhance emotional intelligence and increase relationship satisfaction. So, if you can’t decide what to do for date night, try partner yoga and watch the magic happen!
Couples Yoga Pose 2: Seated Forward Fold
Seated forward fold, or Paschimottanasana in Sanskrit is a simple pose you can enjoy with a partner. Sit facing your partner and extend your legs forward. Reach forward and hold your partner’s hands. As you exhale, fold forward, and try to bring your chest to your thighs. Your partner should lean back and pull you closer to deepen the stretch.
This pose helps to release tension in the spine and provides a great hamstring stretch, which can help you relax and feel more connected to your partner. Seated forward fold also promotes trust and mutual support in a relationship since partners must rely on each other to stretch their bodies.
Pose 3: Double Tree Pose
The fun, challenging double tree pose, or Vrksasana, requires excellent balance and focus. Stand side-by-side and place the sole of your left foot against the inside of your right thigh or shin, depending on your flexibility. Your partner should place the opposite foot against their other thigh or shin.
Next, place the inside arm around each other’s waist and press the outer palm against your partner’s. Stand tall to find your balance, and hold for 10-15 seconds. This pose enhances teamwork since you must work together to maintain balance and concentration.
Couples Yoga Pose 4: Partner Twist
The spinal twist pose, or Ardha Matsyendrasana in Sanksrit, can help couples relieve stress and strengthen communication skills. To perform this pose:
- Sit facing each other with your legs crossed.
- Hold your partner’s hands and twist to one side while your partner twists in the opposite direction.
- Try to keep your spines straight and your shoulders down.
The partner twist not only helps to improve flexibility in the spine but also requires a lot of communication and trust between partners.
Pose 5: Temple Pose
Look no further than the temple pose if you want a heart opener that helps improve emotional connection and openness. Here’s how to do it:
- For this couples yoga posture, stand facing each other with your feet hip-width apart.
- Take a deep breath in and raise your arms above your head.
- As you exhale, bend your knees and lower your hips into a squat.
- Keep your thighs parallel to the ground and your feet turned out slightly.
- Next, perform Anjali Mudra by bringing your hands together in front of your heart and pressing your palms together firmly.
- Lean forward slightly and press your forearms against each other to balance and deepen the stretch.
- Stay in this pose for several breaths, closing your eyes and imagining you share the same energy and intention.
Pose 6: Double Downward Dog
Double downward dog, or Adho Mukha Svanasana, is a fun and challenging pose requiring strength and balance. For this posture, begin on your hands and knees, shoulder-width apart. Next, push your hips up and back to create an inverted V-shape, keeping your arms aligned with your spine. Your partner will stand in front of you in a mountain pose, facing away from you.
Once you’re comfortable in the inversion, your partner will place their hands on the mat and lift their feet onto your lower back to form an inverted L-shape. Keep your arms and legs straight and hold for a few breaths. This pose helps to strengthen the arms, shoulders, and core muscles and builds trust in a relationship.
Couples Yoga Pose 7: Double Bridge Pose
To begin the double bridge pose, or Setu Bandha Sarvangasana, lie on your backs facing each other with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground. Reach out and hold hands with your partner. Take a deep breath in and raise your hips towards the ceiling. As you exhale, lower your hips back down to the ground.
Next, raise your hips again on your partner’s inhale while they lower theirs. Your hips should meet in the middle, creating a double bridge. Hold this beginner’s backbend for a few breaths, focusing on how it encourages support and cooperation with your partner.
Pose 8: Partner Boat Pose
Partner Boat Pose, or Navasana, is excellent for building trust and core strength. Sit facing each other with your knees bent and your feet touching. Hold hands and lean back until your feet lift off the ground. Try to straighten your legs and let your feet touch your partner’s. This pose requires immense trust and can help couples build physical and emotional strength due to its intimate nature.
Couples Yoga Pose 9: Partner Camel Pose
Partner Camel Pose, or Ustrasana, is a beautiful pose that promotes openness and vulnerability. Much like the temple pose, it’s a great heart opener that helps foster emotional intimacy and affection in relationships. Sit facing each other with your knees bent and lower bodies touching.
Hold hands and lean back as far as you can, continuing to hold each other’s hands or forearms for support. Arch your back and lift your chest towards the ceiling. This pose helps to open up the chest and shoulders and can help you feel more connected to your partner.
Pose 10: Partner Savasana
For this beloved restorative yoga pose, lay down on your backs next to each other with your arms at your sides and palms facing up. Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths, focusing on relaxing your body. Partner Savasana is a great relaxation pose to release any tension or stress you may be holding onto. By doing this pose together, you can create a safe and comforting space for each other and rejuvenate your connection.
Final Thoughts of Couples Yoga for Relationship Building
Regularly practicing couples yoga can strengthen relationships by improving trust, communication, and intimacy. It requires unshakable faith in your partner to support you during these challenging poses, which helps increase openness and vulnerability. Plus, doing yoga together allows for bonding and enjoying a shared activity. Many couples have found success in deepening their connection and strengthening relationships through yoga. So, give it a try and have fun while watching your relationship flourish!
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