Day 5 | Get Started | Beginner Yoga Challenge

Welcome to Day 5 of the Get Started beginner yoga challenge! 

This yoga challenge is for you, if you’ve wanted to get started, but feel intimidated, unsure exactly where to start. 

Or would like to know what the hell is going on when you go to your first group yoga lesson? 

This yoga challenge is super easy! So no matter how inflexible you think you may be, this ‘Get Started’ yoga challenge is for you.

I won’t be sneaking you to get you into the splits (not yet, joking) I promise! 

You don’t have the time to start yoga. I know its super easy to get off track, you’re busy, I get it! 

So I’ve created a cheatsheet, that you can download straight onto your phone or computer and check each day off. So if you forget, you have this to refer back to. Sign up below: 

Day 5

‘Get Started’ Beginner Yoga Challenge

Day 5’s pose is Forward Fold, or Uttanasana in Sanskrit.

This is another very common pose, which I love to do but I somewhat find challenging. 

My hamstrings aren’t the most flexible part of my body, so I have to bend my knees in order to do this pose and for it to feel nice. 

The other part I find challenging in this pose, is that it’s supposed to be restful. 

Yet personally I feel like it puts a lot of pressure onto my thighs, this could be because they’re bent though. 

So I must listen to my own advice, that I tell to yoga beginners, the more practice and patience you have with yourself the easier this pose will get. 

This pose is usually used in between sun salutations, or in between poses, so that you can rest. 

In the video above I show you how to modify the pose, so if you’re like me, you’ll have to bend those knees when you do this pose. So that your things and stomach are gently touching each other. 

Another thing I love about this pose, is that it is really easy to do when you’re overwhelmed, whether you’re at work or somewhere in public, find a quiet room or a toilet (depending how much space there is in there, in Japan they’re very clean!).

You can do this pose, take a few breaths and hang with your head upside down for a moment, you can even hug the back of your legs. Then slowly get back up, it should give you a little bit of energy and a sense of clarity.  

Here’s the list of the benefits of Forward Fold pose:

• • Forward fold actively stretches your hips, hamstrings, and calves.
  • Forward fold, provides strength to your thighs and knees
  • Regular practice relieves stiffness of your spine, neck, and back
  • By allowing direct blood flow into the head, it creates a fresh influx of blood cells and rejuvenates the mind
  • Uttanasana activates your abdominal muscles
  • Forward fold results in an elongated, flexible, and sturdy spine
  • It improves posture and improves bodily balance and co-ordination
  • Forward fold can help with digestion.
  • It has the qualities to reduce high blood pressure.
  • This pose can alleviate symptoms of stress, anxiety, mild depression, and fatigue of the body and mind.

So now you know the benefits and you’ve learnt a little more about this pose. Give the video above a try and if you enjoyed it, let me know!

Don’t forget to #getstartedyogachallenge if you post this on instagram, so I can see your progress.

Any comments, or questions, let me know in the comments below!