5 Challenging Yoga Poses To Do With A Friend When You're Bored With Your Solo Flow
You've probably seen loads of partner yoga photos sprinkled all over your Instagram feed. Those acrobatic poses are impressive AF, but they also look low-key insanely intimidating. Take it from me, though, you really don't have to be the next star of Cirque Du Soleil to be good at partner yoga. All you really need are a few simple yoga poses for two beginners to get you started on your quest to having fun and getting bendy with your significant other, BFF, or even a complete stranger (I'm here merely to inform, not to judge).
Fun fact: Yoga means "union" in Sanskrit, and that's why the ancient practice can make you feel so in touch with your mind, body, and surroundings.
When you add another person to the equation, the connection and energy that you form through the asanas will truly make it a uniquely awesome experience by cultivating trust, communication, and self-awareness.
And if you think you need to be in a relationship to strike these poses, think again. Honestly, trying out a buddied up boat pose with your BFF could turn out to be the most fun you've had all year.
So roll out a couple of mats, and prop up your phone to record the whole ordeal (trust me, the bloopers will be priceless). Here are five beginner yoga poses for two that are sure to bring you and your partner closer together.
01Partner Twist
Twists help cleanse and detoxify your body of any toxins, so on the real, if you and your yoga partner took one too many tequila shots last night, this pose was basically made for you.
Even if a hangover isn't getting the best of you, though, this pose will still feel so rejuvenating and allow you to connect with your friend or your bae by feeling their breathing come into a rhythm with your own.
Sit with your backs flat against each other, and begin inhaling and exhaling deeply. Make sure to repeat the twist on both sides for a nice, juicy sense of balance.
02Double Downward Dog
If you've been practicing yoga for a while, you might think that downward dog is getting a little boring. Adding a partner to the mix is a surefire way to spice things up and encourage all the lengthening and strengthening of the spine.
Communication is key in this fun and friendly pose, so make sure you're being verbal with your partner about what feels comfortable and what doesn't. Plus, always remember to signal when you're ready to come down from the pose. As fun as this is, you guys can't be chillin' like that all damn day, you know?
03Buddy Boat Pose
Buddy boat pose is a playful twist on an already awesome core-sculptor. This bad boy will stretch you and your partner's hamstrings all the way out, while encouraging support and strength overall.
You might not be able to fully straighten your legs in this pose, but that's totally OK. In fact, you can use it as an incentive to keep on working on this asana with you partner 'til your legs straighten all the way out.
Fair warning: It might take a little while to fully figure out how to balance and breathe through this pose with one another, but it'll surely teach you both to laugh it off when you fall out of it, and to always get up and try again, no matter how many times it takes to nail the pose.
04Double Tree Pose
Some days, balancing poses are so freaking hard. But when you have a buddy to lean on, it's a total game-changer, and you feel like you could honestly stand on one leg for days with your partner's support. Together, you'll feel unstoppable AF.
Remember to breathe evenly and consistently as you both root yourselves into the ground. Focus on feeling present and grateful for the bodies that you have.
For an extra challenge, try closing your eyes. But if you topple over onto each other, don't say I didn't warn you.
05Partner Dancer's Pose
Doing dancer's pose with a partner will probably require a bit of flexibility, a touch of balance, and a lot of focus.
Holding hands and using your bud to balance on will be challenging at first, but once you really communicate with one another and instill a sense of trust, you'll find yourselves nailing this pose like pros.
Once you've got this partner pose down, be sure to hunt down a third-party photographer, because that moment is seriously going to look cute and graceful AF.
