Yoga has been around for thousands of years. It is a practice that started in India, and is now very popular in the United States and around the world. Yoga has gained a lot of attention lately – maybe because it is a fun and easy way for both adults and kids to feel healthy and happy. For children, yoga is about exploring and learning in a fun, safe and playful way. Yoga and kids are a perfect match. Here is what children (and adults!) can learn from yoga.
Yoga teaches us about:
• Body movement – to move more freely and with greater ease and awareness. Postures help our bodies become strong and flexible.
• How to breathe better – to breathe deeply and fully and become more aware.
• How to use our energy more effectively – we feel more relaxed, focused, or motivated.
• How to quiet the mind – we learn how to be still. This helps us to listen with attention and make good decisions.
• Balance – we learn to be aware about the need for balance in our lives and making sure we balance our very busy time with equal quiet time and relaxation.
• To be the “boss” of our bodies – to listen to our bodies by modifying or changing poses that are too hard.
• Taking care of ourselves – Yoga is a great way to move our bodies, feel healthy and support a good night’s sleep!

Next, I’m on a Bikram Yoga kick, and got these great poses from

https://www.doyouyoga.com/the-26-poses-of-bikram-yoga-64644/

The 26 Poses of Bikram Yoga

Erin Duffin

Bikram yoga is one of the most popular styles of yoga in the world. Founded by Bikram Choudhury in the 1970s, Bikram yoga consists of 26 yoga asanas and two pranayama exercises that never change. The class is done in a “hot room” which is heated to 105°F (40°C), in order to replicate the temperatures in India.

People who practice Bikram yoga practice these postures and pranayamas in order to stretch and strengthen their bodies, and the heated room helps to go deeper into the posture and sweat out toxins. Specifically, Bikram Yoga is often referred to as the 26+2 which makes up the 26 same poses and 2 breathing exercises. Most poses are performed twice and they’re typically held between 6-60 seconds depending on the pose.

Below, you’ll find the 26 poses of Bikram yoga, so you can try it out for yourself at home!

Standing Deep Breathing: Pranayama

Image credit: Bikram yoga

A Bikram yoga sequence starts out in a standing position, with a pranayama breathing exercise. Utilizing optimal lung capacity, a deep inhale and a deep exhale is practiced to provide the body with oxygen, increase circulation, and improve focus.

Half Moon Pose

The next posture is Ardha Chandrasana, or Half Moon Pose. The name is different in Bikram yoga than in other yoga styles, where this pose is called Standing Side Stretch.

This pose strengthens the abdominal muscles and the spine, and stimulates organs necessary for digestion.

Awkward Pose

Image credit: Andrea Taylor

Next up is Utkatasana, or Awkaward Pose. Often referred to as Chair Pose in other lineages of yoga, this pose strengthens the lower body while increasing blood circulation.

Learn how to properly practice Awkward Pose (along with a few other benefits) here.

Eagle Pose

Challenge your balance with Garudasana, or Eagle Pose. This is the only posture that taps into all major joints of the body by strengthen, stretching, and providing greater mobility. Learn more about it here.

Standing Head-to-Knee Pose

Image credit: Alissa Yoga

This posture, Dandayamana Janusirsana, or Standing Head-to-Knee Pose, is a highly challenging balance posture that engages the entire body. Specifically, this posture strengthens and stretches the legs, core, and arms while boosting concentration.

Just make sure to work into the pose slowly. It’s not a race, and the last thing you want is an injury.

Standing Bow-Pulling Pose

Continuing with balancing, the next transition is into Dandayamana-Dhanurasana, or Standing Bow-Pulling Pose. This pose improves strength and flexibility throughout the body and increases attention and patience. In addition, the Bikram style touts this pose as being the only posture that has a circulation effect of flowing blood from one side of the body to to the other, equalizing circulation.

A very similar posture called Dancer’s Pose is taught and practiced in other forms of yoga. Here are some great instructions on how to do it.

Balancing Stick Pose

The next pose in the Bikram sequence is Tuladandasana, or Balancing Stick Pose. Once again requiring balance, determination, and core strength, this pose also increases circulation (especially to the heart and brain).

This pose is commonly practiced in other styles of yoga by the name of Warrior 3. Here’s how to do it.

Standing Separate Leg Stretching Pose

Take a break from balancing with Dandayamana-Bibhaktapada-Paschimotthanasana (what a mouthful!), also called standing Separate Leg Stretching Pose. This pose stretches the legs, spinal muscles, and specifically the sciatic nerve. It’s believed to improve the functioning of the abdominal organs and their associated functions.

You may have heard of this pose in other yoga classes as Wide-Legged Standing Forward Fold. Find out how to do it here.

Triangle Pose

Trikonasana, or Triangle Pose, is practiced next in Bikram series to revitalize, strengthen, and stretch the body and mind. Of focus in this pose would be the hips, legs, and core.

This version of Triangle pose practiced in Bikram yoga is very different from the norm in other styles. Specifically, this pose would be called Extended Side Angle in other various yoga classes- it’s a great stretch for your side body, and you can find out more about it here.

Standing Separate Leg Head to Knee Pose

Image credit: Sanàa Jaman

Translated from Sanskrit to Standing Separate Leg Head to Knee Pose, Dandayamana Bibhaktapada Janushirasana is an intense stretch in the legs and opens the shoulders. The posture is practiced for the benefits of massaging the internal organs and increasing metabolism.

If you aren’t a Bikram student, you may have practiced a similar version of this pose called Intense Side Stretch. Check it out here!

Tree Pose

Tree Pose, or Tadasana in Bikram gets you back to balancing. This pose improves posture while strengthening the joints of the ankles, knees, and hips.

Here’s how to do the Bikram version of this asana.

Toe Stand

Finish off the standing series with Toe Stand, or Padangustasana. Important for strengthening feet, this pose expands range of motion in the ankles, knees, and hips. It also requires and builds mental stamina and focus.

Here are some tips on how to work into this advanced balance.

Corpse Pose

Everyone’s favorite yoga, Corpse Pose (Savasana) comes between the standing and seated series in Bikram yoga.

Beyond being highly relaxing and increasing mindfulness, here’s why you should always practice this pose for it’s awesome benefits.

Wind Removing Pose

Before moving to the seated series, take a minute to open your hips with Wind Removing Pose (Pavanamuktasana). This pose is beneficial for relieving lower back pain by gently stretching. In addition, this posture engages the core and increases hip flexibility.

In other yoga styles, a variation of this pose called Knees-to-Chest is practiced. Here’s how.

Sit Up

Image credit: Bikram yoga

This pose, Sit Up ( Pada-Hasthasana) in Bikram yoga, is great for centering your mind, energizing the body, and stretching your legs.

Head-to-Knee Pose is a variation of this pose that often practiced in other styles of yoga. Here’s how to do it.

Cobra Pose

Everyone loves a good Cobra Pose, or Bhujangasana, and Bikram is no exception. Great for stretching and strengthening the core, this pose can prevent back pain.

Here’s how to do this simple backbend.

Locust Pose

Image credit: Bikram yoga

Locust Pose, or Salabhasana, is another great backbend that strengthens while stretching. This pose actually engages the entire body and tones the buttocks, hips, and legs.

Learn more about Locust Pose here.

Full Locust Pose

Image credit: Bikram yoga

Building from the previous pose, Full Locust Pose (Poorna Salabhasana) works the mid-body.

Bow Pose

Bow Pose, or Dhanurasana, continues on with backbends, and is a great pose to open through your chest and shoulders. Invigorating in nature, this posture increases mobility of the spine.

Here’s how to do it.

Fixed Firm Pose

Giving yourself a little release from backbends, next up is Fixed Firm Pose (Supta Vajrasana). With this posture, you’ll stretch the leg muscles, knee joint, ankles, lower back, and hips.

Reclining Hero’s Pose is an alternate version of this pose that is practiced in other forms of yoga. Here’s a great how-to.

Half Tortoise Pose

Half Tortoise (Ardha Kurmasana) in Bikram yoga, is an awesome, relaxing asana. Find release in the neck and shoulders while gentle stretching the hips in this posture.

Often called Child’s Pose in other forms of yoga, here’s how to do it, along with some of the benefits.