Partner Yoga: A Heart-Felt Practice for Two
/Partner yoga, at the very least, is simply fun - and can be so much more. Communication is the most important tool during a couple’s practice. Unlike a traditional yoga class where you quietly focus on your breath and turn inward, in partner yoga you focus on the other. Each of you use your eyes, ears, voice, and heart to make sure your partner is getting what they need from you and you from them. Try these partner yoga poses:
Partner Tree
Stand facing the same direction with hips a few inches apart.
Loosely put your inside arm around your partner’s waist for support.
Bring the foot of the outside leg up, turn the knee outward, and place your outside foot on your opposite inner calf.
If possible, take advantage of the stability your partner provides and place the foot of the outside leg all the way up on the inside of your thigh.
Bring your hips level with the floor.
The taller person now can reach the inside arm straight to the ceiling with the shorter partner reaching up and around the taller arm and then gently holding on.
The outside arms grow into tall branches.
Hold for a few breaths, helping each other to balance.
When ready, bring the arms down and press your palm together with your partners at heart level.
Finally, bring the outside hand to your own heart and feel the love.
In all variations, feel your partner supporting you and you supporting he/she in a very stable partner tree pose.
Supported Downward Facing Dog
Stand facing each other. Place your hands on each other’s shoulders and slowly walk backwards.
As you walk back, open your chest towards the floor, hinging at your hips until your torso is parallel to the floor. (See photo).
Engage your core and gaze straight down at the floor.
Hold for three to five breaths with communicated small adjustments as you settle into this pose.
This is a good trust-builder and a great lengthening of your hamstrings, shoulders, and back.
Communication is key: Check in to make you are not moving too fast, going too deep, or holding the pose too long.
See if you can synchronize the breath while in this posture for a deeper connection with your partner.
Dave Johnson: Yoga is a family thing for the Johnsons. Dave found Sculpt Yoga in 2013 and developed a passion for it. He completed his RYT 200-hour training in 2017 and later that year earned a Yoga Sculpt 50-hour Certificate. His wife, Lisa, has been teaching since 2008, and all three of their adult children have earned their RYT 200-hour certificates.
