Couples Yoga
Couples Yoga
Practicing yoga with your spouse, partner or friend can be a refreshing addition to your existing practice, or a totally invigorating way to learn yoga!
People often think that couples yoga, or partner yoga needs to involve fancy acrobatics (Acro Yoga), but it can be as simple as sitting in Sukhasana, back to back, and exploring your breath. You’d be surprised how different it can be to practice this way (as opposed to solo), and the myriad of ways in which your relationship with your partner will be strengthened.
When I teach couples who are beginners, even if they have very different bodies/injuries, we often start seated like this, legs crossed.
It can actually be easier to connect to your own breath when you can viscerally feel your partner’s back ribs rising and falling with yours.
I have found that this exercise really makes the intangible and ethereal concept of the ‘yoga breath’ real. It helps demystify something taken for granted as part of the autonomic nervous system, and students start to become more aware of how they are breathing, on and off their mat.
It’s really a wonderful teaching tool.
Other fun couples yoga poses for beginners are Twin Trees or Twin Forward Fold.
Couples who have a proficiency and confidence with the postures, can try Double Down Dog or Buddy Boat Pose.
There are just an infinite number of variations in which yoga can be adapted to the needs of two people, learning the postures and practicing together.
Even families can participate. I’ve had two parents and two children all practicing the same Twin Tree pose – and that is such a delight to see!
Regardless of your state of current health, fitness or injury, consider hiring a certified, private yoga instructor to teach you and your partner the magic of couples yoga.
As always, if you have any questions about my philosophy, approach or how to evaluate a potential private yoga instructor, feel free to contact me! My rates are the same for family groups of 1-4 and I look forward to meeting you soon:)
Blessings for good health!
Catherine
Catherine Tingey
Entrepreneur, yogini, designer, award-winning filmmaker, personal trainer and former marathon runner. She left a career in finance to start her own business and along the way, became a yoga teacher. She has been practicing yoga for 33 years and teaching privately for 13 years.
About the Author
Catherine Tingey+ Entrepreneur, yogini, designer, award-winning filmmaker, personal trainer and former marathon runner. She left a career in finance to start her own business and along the way, became a yoga teacher. She has been practicing yoga for 33 years and teaching privately for 13 years.
