After spending a long day at work or school, it’s nice to relax with an easy activity that allows you to de-stress and decompress. Yoga is not only relaxing, but it also helps you connect with your inner child by bringing out a more playful side and aids in letting go of any tension that might have built up during the day.
Being able to show up to your mat, without expectation, is an excellent way to tap into your childlike wonder while giving you the opportunity to disconnect from the world around you. While it's important for children to have time for themselves when they're young, to activate creativity and otherwise - it becomes increasingly more difficult as we get older to prioritize time for restoration and fun activities. This can lead to chronic stress and illness, or simply leave you feeling disconnected from the joy of living. In this article, we go over the concept of activating your inner child with yoga poses. This is something we also explore further in our yoga offering in our Downtown Lincoln studio.
Practice Playful Yoga Poses
Many children find it easy to be playful and feel inner joy, but as adults, we're often pushed by our responsibilities or preconceived notions. Not only can yoga help you reconnect with that cheerful spirit, but it can also be a therapeutic practice for anxiety and stress relief. Try these three simple poses below. Practice each pose for 15-30 seconds at a time and see how it activates you.
(1) Lions Pose
From a seated position with hips on your heels and palms resting on the knees, inhale and reach the crown of the head up to lengthen the spine.
As you exhale, bring your palms to the floor in front of the knees, arch the spine, look up at the third eye point, stick out the tongue, and roar like a lion Haaa!
Inhale back to the starting position and repeat 2-5 times.
(2) Happy Baby Pose
Lie on your back
On your exhale, bend your knees into your belly.
Inhale, grip the outsides of your feet with your hands, or loop a strap or belt over each foot. Open your knees slightly wider than your torso, then bring them up toward your armpits.
Position each ankle directly over the knee, so your shins are perpendicular to the floor.
Flex your feet. Gently push your feet up into your hands (or the belts) as you pull your hands down to create resistance.
Rock your body gently from side to side.
(3) Butterfly Pose
From a seated position, bring the soles of your feet together, close to your pelvis, allowing your knees to fall out to the sides.
Ground your sitting bones and lengthen your spine.
Hold onto the outsides of your feet and press the soles of your feet towards each other.
If your body allows it, fold forward from the hips keeping your spine long and your collar bones spread.
Revisit Things That Bring You Joy
It is vital to make time to do things that bring you joy. Great examples of this would be revisiting activities you enjoyed when you were younger, like swimming outdoors, playing with bubbles, or playing tag. Getting outdoors can be a great resource when looking to connect with your inner child while also feeding your energetic spirit. By being in mother nature, the elements can be incredibly grounding, try moving your yoga session outdoors and see how you enjoy it! While yoga increases your lung capacity naturally with repetitive intentional repetition, being outside in fresh air aids easier deeply breathing and supports a gratitude mindset.
HEALTH TIP! Leave your phone inside or behind more often and see the impact it has on your ability to become more present in your activities. Like children whom freely explore, go ahead and make space for mistakes, get messy, and have fun! The more time you spend being kid-like and practicing carefree living, the more healing you provide to yourself; ultimately making it a priority to nourish your innocence and joy.
Join us for classes in our Lincoln CA Studio, explore class offerings here.