Partner yoga is all about play, breath, touch, movement, and most crucially – intimacy.
Yoga is a fantastic medium for building stronger intimacy and communication in a relationship, whether it’s with a loved one, a friend, or a family member.
The flow of sequences and postures is created in such a way that it not only nurtures, but also builds trust, strengthens communication, and encourages light-heartedness.
So, if you’re interested to learn more, we’ve come up with an incredible list of benefits and beginner poses to help build your relationship. Without further ado, let’s jump right into it.
Benefits of Partner Yoga
1. Amplify and Encourage Physical And Emotional Support in Relationships
To get started, let’s establish the fact that both partners have to be fully engaged in the experience to benefit from partner yoga. This also includes relying on each other when you’re creating the poses, maintaining balance, focus, and alignment.
In other words, this is a great form of enhancing your communication and the special connection you have with your partner as you both learn to let go. It also pushes you both to be more open and start having more faith and support in each other as you attempt each of the poses.
You can visit websites like https://yogic-experience.com/ to learn more about partner yoga and yoga in general.
2. Creating and Sharing Moments
Always keep in mind that partner yoga is about giving and receiving and not flying and basing. It’s the intention that matters, not the size. Shed the idea that it’s only about the bigger person picking up the smaller one because in a relationship it has to work both ways.
Concentrate and think about two people moving in motion together. Try giving yourself the chance to let your partner receive your weight. Don’t be afraid to take the opportunity for someone to create a beautiful shared movement with you.
There’s nothing sexier than creating a bond and beautiful memories together while practicing some intimate yoga poses.
3. The Power is in Letting Go
Life can get too serious sometimes and unfortunately, some of us get tempted to let it out on our partner. This is where partner yoga can help both of you. The idea is to learn about letting go and enjoying life together.
It’s the power to create a space for that childlike wonder we all have within ourselves and to learn to love the life you’ve built.
4. Room for Intimacy
It’s no secret at this point that practicing partner yoga will bring you closer to your partner. All relationships go through rough patches or lulls when the going gets tough and the key is to work on them together.
Partner yoga can help to create a fantastic sense of fun. As a result, you and your partner will be able to take each other and the challenges you’re experiencing more seriously.
5. Self-Awareness And Trust
When you learn to trust another person, you also grow your ability to trust yourself. Partner yoga helps to reveal the beauty of interdependence.
You’ll notice that when you’re taking the risk of being vulnerable in the presence of your partner, you’re allowing yourself to go much deeper with minimal effort.
This can be true in life as well. We can accomplish so much more, with so much peace and delight when we learn to support each other.
6. The Power of Touch
Touch is a vital part of partner yoga, as it is in a relationship. Kinesthetic awareness and leverage can heighten your body’s ability to perform. Not to mention make it possible to go deeper into the poses with minimal effort.
By using the power of the touch that you receive, you can increase your awareness of each other as well. And this helps to open yourself to reach greater depths in both your mind and body.
7. Finding a Sense of Balance
There’s a particular tendency we all have when it comes to relational patterns. On one hand, you may be overly sensitive and yield to others more quickly, and lose touch with creating a healthy boundary for yourself.
On the other hand, you might be very guarded, both emotionally and in terms of energy. This can make it hard to establish authentic connections with others.
In partner yoga poses, there’s no giver or receiver. Both partners have to be fully engaged in their own experience, each with a transparent role of support for the other. And all these help to create a perfect sense of balance.
3 Partner Yoga Poses to Get You Started
Now, it’s time to move on to the 5 partner yoga poses. Get ready to strengthen your core muscles, calm your nervous system, boost your libido, extend your hamstrings and your heart. All of which makes for a fun date!
1. The Key is Breathing, Partner Breathing
It’s always a good idea to start with some breathing exercises. Start by being in a comfortable seated position. Your back should be resting against your partner’s back.
Next, breathe alternately with your spouse, inhaling first and exhaling second. Continue to do this for 3-5 minutes and that’s it! That’s the first and the easiest position to start with.
2. A Fun Game of Twist?
For this position, start by sitting with your legs crossed and once again, with your backs to each other. Inhale and reach your arms overhead.
Then, as you exhale, twist to the right bringing your right hand to the inside of your partner’s left knee. Your left hand should be on the outside of your right knee. The key is for your partner to mirror the movement.
Hold this position for 5 breaths and then repeat on the opposite side.
3. Bringing Stability Through the Double Downward Dog
For this pose, both of you have to start in a downward dog position, one in front of the other. Your partner can be at the back and you at the front.
Walk your feet and hands backward until you’re able to land your feet on the outside of your partner’s lower back. Find the back of their hips and come to a stable and comfortable position.
Remember, it helps to keep talking as you move through the pose. Hold the position for 5-7 breaths. When it’s done, ask your partner to bend their knees and lower their hips to the tabletop. Finally, come down to Child’s pose as you release your feet to the floor.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a way to increase your yoga practice while deepening your connection with your significant other, then consider giving partner yoga a try.
Not only is it beneficial for your physical fitness, but it is also great for your emotional health. We hope the benefits of partner yoga and the various poses we mentioned inspire you to grab a partner and a mat. Best of luck!