Are you looking for a fun new approach to exercise and relaxation?

Water yoga might be for you! Yoga is practiced by people all around the world who are looking to de-stress and relax, all while toning and strengthening their bodies simultaneously. All you need is a pool, bathing suit, bottle of water, and some of your favorite yoga moves. Before we take you through a few of our favorite yoga positions, let’s take a closer look at water yoga and some of the amazing benefits it can have on your health and overall quality of life.

What is Water Yoga?

Yoga is a physical practice that dates back thousands of years. This discipline is utilized to help the yogi (male) or yogini (female) achieve a state of enlightenment and utter relaxation. During a session, the practitioner will focus on deep breathing, toning their bodies, relaxation, and posture. There are different kinds of yoga. Some focus on holding a pose for a certain amount of time, while others have a lot more movement involved.

Water yoga is exactly how it sounds: yoga poses that are performed in the water. Of course, these poses may have to be tweaked a little depending on your comfortability, expertise, and competency in the water. The poses you choose to add to your water yoga routine must keep your head well above the water to ensure your best safety.

Benefits of Water Yoga

According to WebMD, yoga offers many amazing benefits, including:

  • An improvement in flexibility
  • Strengthened muscles
  • Boosted cardiovascular health
  • Improved mental awareness
  • Reduced stress and anxiety
  • Improved sleep patterns
  • Weight control
  • Reduced risk of injury
  • Improved symptoms of arthritis[i]

Aside from the benefits that yoga on its own offers, the water only adds to it! The buoyancy of the water lifts added weight and pressure from muscles and joints, leading to a more comfortable and effective workout.

Creating Your Own Routine

Utilize a variation of the following poses based on your level of expertise.

Beginner

  • Bharadvaja’s Twist
  • Bridge
  • Cat
  • Cow
  • Corpse
  • Cobra
  • Child
  • Chair

Intermediate

  • Warrior I
  • Boat
  • Camel
  • Bow
  • Eagle
  • Dolphin Plank
  • Extended Hand-to-Big-Toe

Advanced

  • Lord of the Dance
  • Lotus
  • Warrior II
  • Side-Reclining Leg Lift
  • Shoulder-Pressing Pose

Many yoga poses that are performed on dry land can easily be adapted for the pool. As we mentioned earlier, it’s important that you chose to incorporate poses that don’t put your health at risk by putting your head too close to the water.

At All Seasons Pools & Spas, your best health is one of our top priorities. During any recreational or physical activity, we always recommend that you keep a bottle of water nearby to stay hydrated. We also highly suggest that you speak with a physician first before starting any new fitness regimen.

What will your water yoga routine look like?

Backyard Living in California

Did you find this article informative? For more information regarding backyard living and how pools and hot tubs can contribute to a healthy lifestyle, visit our blog. To learn more about our wide selection of above-ground pools, in-ground pools, and hot tubs for sale in California, please visit your closest All Seasons Pools & Spas backyard living dealership. We have locations in Granite Bay, Shingle Springs, Grass Valley, North Auburn, and Roseville.

 

[i] “Yoga | WebMD” [Online]. Available: https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/a-z/yoga-workouts. [Accessed:2018-03-21].