Yoga Alignment: Tips For A Safer Yoga Practice

Safe yoga alignment establishes a safe basis for a great yoga practice. Proper alignment allows the body to stretch and open while minimizing the risk of injury to the body. Better alignment can also enable you to become more aware of your body and practice acceptance. Correct posturing also keeps the body happy and healthy. Alignment also adds ease and grace to a yoga practice.

Why is Alignment Important in Yoga?

Alignment establishes a stable basis for a safe yoga practice. Correct alignment enables the body to stretch and open while minimizing wear and tear on the joints and tissues. As well as keeping your body happy and healthy, alignment also adds ease and grace to a yoga practice.

Yoga Alignment Principles

1. Align from the base: Before moving up through your body, ensure that you are first aligning the base of a posture. This might involve positioning your feet on the mat or pressing your feet into the ground for stability and support. Having a solid base is essential for a healthy and invigorating yoga practice, so it’s worth giving your feet some attention.

2. Stack the joints: This is essential in all yoga asanas, as it keeps your body stable. For example, in cat/cow position, your shoulders should be stacked over your wrists, while your hips are stacked over your knees.

3. Stabilize the core: Throughout your entire practice, make sure that your core is stable and engaged. Almost all yoga poses involve core strength, from inversions to twists. And stabilizing your core helps to support your body, protect your spine, and strengthen your abdominal muscles. Core strength also helps in back poses. For standing postures, firm up your inner thighs and pelvic floor, creating a stable foundation for your spine to lengthen. Next, lengthen your tailbone down and then pull your belly button in towards your spine.

4. The neck is an extension of the spine: To reduce the risk of neck strain, think of your neck as an extension of your spine. By keeping your neck aligned with your spine at all times, you will lessen the risk of damaging your upper vertebrae. Knowing how long to hold a yoga pose is also essential to keep the spine and body safe.

5. Use your breath: Always use your breath when moving in and out of poses. In yoga, you are most likely to injure yourself during transitions. When we hold our breath, it creates tension in the body. So don’t forget to exhale deeply, which will release any tension and allow your body to flow into the next pose.