Partner yoga is a unique opportunity to connect more deeply or intimately with a friend or lover. Experiencing poses with someone you trust fosters openness and awareness as well as an opportunity to explore this poses more deeply in your physical body.
You are able to have your own experience within a couples’ experience, exploring not only your breath and body but your partner’s as well. Here are a few recommended partner poses to experiment with:
Seated Spinal Twist
Both partners will sit in a comfortable seated position. Inhale, lengthen through the spine and then exhale to twist. Both partners will place their right hand on their partner’s left thigh while placing their left hand on their own right thigh. Inhale and lengthen further, exhale and twist more deeply. When you are ready, switch sides.
Downward Facing Dog/ Backbend
Have one partner get into the downward facing dog. The other partner should place their feet in between their partner’s planted hands (they can be slightly in front of them if needed). The standing partner can use their hands to gently place their bum on their partner’s upper back and then release their spine onto their partner’s back. The standing partner can bring their arms overhead for a deeply gratifying backbend stretch. This should feel great for both partners. Take a few breaths here and then switch. (If this is uncomfortable, try a backbend over a seated forward bend with the same idea.)
Standing Forward Bend
Both partners stand back-to-back, feet hip-width apart and allow your bums to touch (leave a 6-12 in the gap between your heels). From here, lengthen your spine and then slowly release both of your torsos over your thighs. Reach and hold your partner’s forearm, elbow or shoulder. This is an incredible hamstring release and an opportunity for connection as you can see your partner through your legs. Experience a few rounds of breath and release when you are both ready.
Bound Angle
Both partners will sit back-to-back with soles touching and releasing the knees outward onto the mat (or cross-legged). Spend a moment experiencing breath here. When you are ready, both inhale and lengthen then exhale and have one partner lean back over the other partner’s back in a forward bound angle bend. Breath deeply here for several rounds and then switch.
Seated Wide
Leg Forward Bend- Both partners will come to a seated wide-leg forward bend. Have your soles touch and grasp hands. Take turns gently pulling your partner toward you. Allow them to experience the pose as far as you can comfortably assist them. Take a few rounds of breath with them and then allow them to release back to a neutral spine.
Now, it’s your turn to enjoy!