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Partner Yoga Pose: Double Plow

FitSugar — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:30:00 -0700

If you're looking to increase flexibility in your spine and get an amazing neck stretch, Plow pose is just the thing. Sometimes doing it on your own can be a little too intense, so if you do this pose with a friend, you can help support the weight of each other's legs. There will also be less pressure on your neck so you can spend more time in this restorative position.

To find out how to do Double Plow,

Partner Yoga Pose: Grounded Backbend

FitSugar — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 10:00:00 -0700

Backbends are some of my favorite yoga poses. Since our bodies rarely have the opportunity to bend this way, not only is arching the spine a treat but it stretches the front part of your body quite nicely. Not only that, but increasing flexibility in your spine is a great way to stay healthy and avoid lower back pain. Since full backbends (Wheel pose) can be intimidating and challenging, give this variation a try. In it you use your partner's body as support, and be able to gently roll back into the pose.

For detailed instructions

Partner Yoga: Flying Whale

FitSugar — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 14:27:32 -0700

If you tried Forward Flying with a partner and loved it, then give this a try. It's a version of backwards flying called Flying Whale. The key is to move slowly to help the person on top stay balanced.

To learn how to do this partner yoga pose,

Partner Yoga Pose: Shoulderstand on Bridge

FitSugar — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 10:00:00 -0700

Some partner yoga poses are a little more challenging than others like this one — Shoulderstand on Bridge. It requires strength for the person on the bottom to hold the Half Wheel and it also requires balance for the person on top to hold Shoulderstand. Since this pose involves one person being upside down, it also requires trust and communication. I love that this video shows both the man and woman taking turns and switching positions. It's common to think the woman wouldn't be strong enough to be on the bottom, but she is!

For detailed instructions on how to give this pose a try

Partner Yoga Pose: Forward Flying

FitSugar — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 13:00:00 -0700

Soothing partner yoga poses such as Dog Hero, Massage Table, and Double Gate are great for connecting with someone or for a good stretch, but sometimes I'm in the mood for something a little more fun and challenging. You've probably done this flying move with your 2-year-old niece, but it's not just for kids. The reason it's so great when you're older is because the person on the top can utilize the force of gravity to feel deeper stretches, and the person on the bottom experiences an amazing lower-back release from the weight of his or her partner.

To find out how to fly with a partner

Partner Yoga Book: Contact — The Yoga of Relationship

FitSugar — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 03:00:00 -0700

I find practicing yoga regularly helps keep me feeling centered, both physically and mentally. But that doesn't mean you need to do yoga solo. Partner yoga can be often be twice as fun and more enriching. The book Contact: The Yoga of Relationship ($26) is a great way to learn how to make many poses work for two people.

This book is filled with gorgeous full size black and white photos of really creative partner poses, for both the beginner and the experienced yogi alike. The book is organized around seven points of contact yoga: trust, passion, commitment, love, communication, vision, and union. As you peruse through the pages, you'll see that there are several unique postures to try that are associated with each point. Trying these poses out with a partner is sure to strengthen your connection with that person, and leave you both smiling.

To see inside this book,

Partner Yoga Pose: Supported Flying Arch

FitSugar — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 16:00:00 -0700

I'm all for stretches that increase flexibility in my spine, so if you're the same way, grab a friend and give this pose a try. Not only will you feel like you're weightless, but your partner on the floor will feel a nice release in her lower back.

If you want to know how to get into it

Partner Yoga Pose: Seated Butterfly Lounge

FitSugar — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 13:00:00 -0700

Keeping your hips flexible helps prevent injury, and here's a great hip stretch you can do with a partner. It's similar to the Seated Straddle Lounge, but for this one, the person on the bottom is in Butterfly pose with her feet together and her knees out wide.

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Music: "Shiva Shambho" by Namaste

To see a detailed description of how to do this hip-opening partner pose

Partner Yoga Pose: Back-to-Back Butterfly

FitSugar — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 16:00:00 -0700

Butterfly pose is one of my favorite hip openers, and there are many Partner Yoga moves that involve this pose. There's the Butterfly Pull, Butterfly Supported Forward Bend, and Seated Butterfly Lounge is great way to stretch. If you have tight hips then you will appreciate trying Back-to-Back Butterfly with a partner since this variation deepens the stretch and it is only slightly hands-on compared to a couple of other partner poses.

To give it a try

Partner Yoga Pose: Massage Table

FitSugar — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 13:00:00 -0700

If your back is feeling sore or tight, you need to find someone to lean on and I mean that literally. Find a willing partner and give this double yoga pose a try. To be honest, when I first saw this pose, I thought it looked boring, but trust me – it feels amazing. Your spine and the muscles in your back will thank you.

There's much more to this pose than you think so for the details