Standing yoga poses: Enhancing balance, strength and flexibility

Standing yoga asanas have provided several physical and mental health advantages over time. By adding these asanas to your daily life, you can improve your mental stability, strengthen your muscles, and maintain balance. The best part is that it does not matter if you are an expert Yogi or just a beginner; these standing poses are here to improve your overall well-being.

Standing yoga poses for balance, strength and flexibility

Below are 5 standing yoga asanas that, if practised regularly, will help you improve your strength and build balance. Take a look!

Konasana (sideways bending using both arms)

To do this, stand in a mountain pose (Tadasana), take a deep breath and relax. Raise both your arms above your head slowly, as you inhale deeply. Ensure to keep your fingers interlocked at this stage. While you exhale, slightly tilt towards your left side, and feel the stretch right from the base of your spine. Make sure you do not fold your elbows. Slowly, return to tadasana and repeat the same stretch towards your right side.

Benefits

• It helps in stretching the sides of your body

• It makes your spine flexible

• It tones your abdominal organs, arms, and hips

Hastapadasana (standing forward bend)

Stand in the mountain pose, look straight, and raise your arms to the sky. While breathing out, try touching the tip of your toes with your fingers by bending forward. Breathe in, and stretch up a little. Make sure you keep your spine straight. Relax, breathe out, and come back to your original position.

Benefits

• It makes your spine flexible

• It helps in increasing blood circulation

• It stretches your back muscles

Ardha Chakrasana (standing backward bend)

This asana requires you to stand straight. Make sure you balance equally on both legs. Next, take a deep breath and raise your arms over your head. Breathe out here, and start bending backward as much as you can. Breathe in, and revert to your original position. Repeat the same 3-4 times.

Benefits

• It tones your shoulder muscles and arms

• It stretches your upper body (torso)

• It makes your back stronger

Vrikshasana (tree posture)

To do this, stand straight and join your palms in front of your chest to form a Namaskara mudra. Next, fold your left leg and at the same time, try to place the heel against your right leg to the highest point. It is one of the best poses of standing yoga asanas. Concentrate your thoughts here and try to maintain that posture.

Benefits

• It strengthens your legs, arms, and back

• It improves your concentration

• It creates a balance between your mind and your body

Virabhadrasana (warrior pose)

Stand straight. Keep your legs around 3-4 feet apart. Next, turn your left foot in by 15° and right foot out by 90°. Raise both arms laterally to shoulder level with the palms facing upward. Exhale as you bend your right knee, simultaneously turning your head to the right. Apply gentle pressure to push your pelvis down. Take a deep breath and go back to your original position. Repeat the same on your left side.

Benefits

• It releases the stress on your shoulders

• It tones and strengthens your lower back and arms

• It boosts your stamina

Conclusion

To sum up, adding these standing yoga asanas into your practice can turn out to be an easy yet powerful method to improve your mental and physical well-being. That said, the next time you lay out your mat, don’t skip practising these standing poses for a well-rounded yoga session!