8 Couple Yoga Poses To Try This Valentine's Day

‘Couples who play together stay together’ 

Yoga is traditionally done solo – a time for self-reflection, for being quiet and achieving inner peace. Practicing yoga with a partner, however, requires a different set of skills: communication, awareness of others and a sense of cooperation.

Couples yoga may seem intimidating, especially if you’re new to yoga. But everyone can benefit from grabbing a loved one or buddy to practice with a partner!

There are many benefits to couples yoga that can help both your relationship and your practice.

Improves trust and communication. Couples yoga requires cooperation and trust. You have to be fully engaged in the practice and rely on one another to create different poses. You learn to let go, improve communication, be open, and fully rely on the other for support. As you learn to trust your partner, you are also able to trust yourself. 

Improves focus and self-awareness. You need to concentrate and be fully focused to do the different poses correctly. You will not want to let down your partner in the practice therefore you will need to be more focused and aware of what you are doing. Being self-aware means that you will be able to recognize your feelings at the moment and how your body and your mind are reacting and responding to the practice.

Supports and deepens your yoga experience. Couples yoga encourages you to focus on the alignment of the poses. You will both be able to assist and point out what you can improve to ensure that the pose is achieved. You can use each other's weight to help you move deeper into yoga stretches, and you can support each other in poses where you may feel weak.

Reduces stress and anxiety. Yoga helps you to relax and clear your mind. Couples yoga helps you to create a powerful connection with your loved one or friend, which helps you forget about day-to-day stresses. Practicing with a partner also brings the aspect of touch, which reduces stress and anxiety as it makes you feel loved, supported, and cared for.

Increases intimacy and sex life. Couples yoga allows individuals to have an intense bonding time as they practice. Practicing yoga with a partner creates a strong physical and emotional connection. The practice makes you more attuned to your partner’s body, breath, and physical responses. These experiences help improve intimacy, which in turn can improve one’s sex life.

Encourages playfulness and fun. Couples yoga is playful and fun. It encourages you to let go and not take things too seriously, but rather have fun in the challenges. As they say "Couples that play together, stay together!"

Here are a few fun poses to try with your partner or buddy:

1.Twin Tree Pose

Improves balance, increases awareness of your body, and your partner's! 👩🏼‍❤️‍💋‍👨🏽

2. Temple Pose

Opens the shoulders and chest to all that love! Bonus romance if you stare into eachother eyes 😍

3. Back-To-Back Chair Pose

Strengthen your trust and quads simultaneously. Those who suffer chair together, stay together! 👩🏻‍🤝‍👨🏼 

4. Double Downward Dog

Communication is key! In order for both parties to fully reap the amazing arm/back benefits, some discussion and coordination will be needed! 🐕

5. Double Forward Fold

Great for those tight hamstrings! (and you get to hold hands, cute!) 🤝 

6. Standing Forward Fold

Just another way you bring balance to eachother's lives! Bonus points if you make upside-down faces at each other through your legs 😜

7. Double Plank 

Build those muscles, and that trust! This one ups the communication skills, and trust. Be sure you're balanced, you dont want to put your partner in a cast this Valentine's Day! 💪🏻

8. Boat Pose

A great stretching/balancng pose, with options for movement! The only time rocking the boat is acceptable 😋