Nature Yoga Poses that Invoke Positive Qualities within You

• 5 Nature Yoga Poses
• 1. Seated Mountain Pose (Parvatasana)
• 2. Crescent Moon Pose (Ardha Chandrasana)
• 3. Eagle Pose (Garudasana)
• 4. Locust Pose (Shalabhasana)
• 5. Fish Pose (Matsyasana)

Nature has inspired yogis since time immemorial. Besides practising yoga in nature, they spent several years living deep in the forest…closely observing birds, animals, fish, plants and even landforms. They found that each of them has inherent strengths. And by imitating their poses, we can invoke such qualities within us – both on the physical and mental levels. Do these 5 nature yoga poses and experience it for yourself!

5 Nature Yoga Poses

1. Seated Mountain Pose (Parvatasana)

The Seated Mountain pose makes you grounded, tall, steady and strong.

• Sit in Padmasana or Sukhasana with hands by your sides, palms facing upward. Keep your chest out and focus your eyes on a point straight ahead of you.
• Inhaling to the count of 3, raise both your hands to join your palms above your head. Give your hands and waist a good strectch while doing so.
• Hold your breath in this position for 6 counts.
• Exhaling to the count of 3, turn your palms outward and bring your hands down to the mat on either side.
• Repeat 3-4 times.

2. Crescent Moon Pose (Ardha Chandrasana)

The Crescent Moon pose makes your spine flexible, just like the moon that appears to easily change its shape.

• First, do the Standing Mountain pose.
• Inhaling to the count of 3, lift both your arms above your head. Interlock your fingers and keep your pointer fingers straight up. Stretch your body well.
• Exhaling to the count of 3, bend your waist to the right side and slightly point your hips to the left.
• Holding for 6 counts, lift your chin up and look straight ahead of you.
• Inhaling for 3 counts, bring your body back to the centre.
• Repeat for the other side.
• Exhaling for 3 counts, release the pose.

3. Eagle Pose (Garudasana)

The Eagle pose brings immense strength, confidence, balance and focus.

• Begin in Standing Mountain pose.
• Slightly bend your knees.
• Balancing on your right foot, wrap your left thigh around your right leg.
• Point your left foot to the floor and wrap it around your right calf.
• Raise your hands parallel to the ground and cross your them. Place the right one above the left.
• Bend both your elbows such that your palms are perpendicular to the floor.
• Face and press your palms towards each other.
• Hold the pose for 15 to 20 counts.
• Unwrap, switch sides and repeat.

4. Locust Pose (Shalabhasana)

The Locust pose improves the locomotor (also called the musculo skeletal) system, so that you can move as excellently as the the locust flies.

• Lie on your stomach with your face balanced on your chin. Keep your legs together and toes pointed outward. Place your hands by your sides with palms facing down.
• Inhale first.
• Exhaling to the count of 3, contract your lower back muscles and raise your right leg up as high as your a comfortable with. Keep your hips resting on the mat.
• Hold for 6 counts.
• Inhaling for 3 counts, bring your leg back down.
• Repeat with the left leg.
• Repeat with both legs.

5. Fish Pose (Matsyasana)

The Fish pose is wonderfully relaxing among the nature yoga poses. Moreover, it can *literally* make you float on water when you master the asana! However, try it only under the guidance of a trained professional.

• Sit in Padmasana or Sukhasana.
• Inhaling for 3 counts, bend your body backwards with the support of your elbows, until you lay on your mat.
• Then, hold your toes and push your chest upwards. Close your eyes.
• Breathing normally, hold the position for 2 minutes.
• Exhaling for 3 counts, straighten your back to return to the starting position.