Mood-Boosting Yoga Flow
Boost your mood with this easy-to-follow yoga sequence from Sarah Highfield
With winter just around the corner and colder days on the horizon, keep your spirits high and your body in balance with this easy-to-follow mood-boosting yoga sequence, which can be done from the comfort of your home. In this sequence, I have picked a few of my favourite poses, which invite joy and playfulness into our lives, and provide a well-rounded mix of stretches, heart openers, strengtheners and passive relaxation to help you feel your best as you enter the cooler months.
Hold all the poses for 10 deep breaths and then repeat them on the second side.
Toe Balance Variation
Balance on your left foot while extending your right leg to the side for support, then lightly engage your core and lift your arms up. This pose will help to strengthen your ankles and core as well as develop your sense of balance. It is a fun and uplifting pose, guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
Spine Twist
Lie on your back, bend your knees to one side, extend both your arms out to the sides and then turn your head away from your knees. This relaxing, passive stretch feels amazing and requires very little effort. This pose is especially soothing for anyone with lower back pain, it also calms your nervous system and increases endorphins.
Revolved Head-to-Knee Variation
From a seated position, extend your left leg out to the side and fold your right leg toward yourself. Slide your left hand down your left leg so you feel a stretch in your hamstring, then rotate and open your chest up towards the ceiling and reach up through your right hand. This pose helps to release stored up emotions and clear your mind, bringing a sense of joy and happiness.
Heart & Chest Opener
Start lying on your front with your right arm extended out to the side. Lift up your left leg, bend your knee and place your left foot on the floor behind you. Rest your left finger tips on the floor to help support yourself. This deep feel-good chest stretch will free up tension and help to loosen your shoulders, another area where we tend to store stress.
Low Lunge
Step your right foot forward and rest your left knee on the floor. Sink your hips down towards the floor and place blocks under your hands for added support. Let gravity do the work for you and enjoy the deep hip and thigh stretch. Many people store stress in their hips, so this pose will release built up tension in the area.
Born in Hong Kong and based in London, Sarah Highfield is a leading international yoga teacher and the founder of Yogagise Yoga (yogagise.com). Follow her on Instagram @yogagise
Om Magazine
First published in November 2009, OM Yoga magazine has become the most popular yoga title in the UK. Available from all major supermarkets, independents and newsstands across the UK. Also available on all digital platforms.
