Yoga- Sun salutations

Its been almost a year since I first started doing yoga. I never thought I’d become a yoga-convert; I used to scoff at the thought of leggings and downward-dogs, painful stretches and pretentious instructors. I first tried yoga in the Bahamas, and fell in love. Sure, the yoga studio, where we met each morning, with ocean views and tropical sunlight filtering through might have helped, but there was something so relaxing about it, something spiritual. Since then, I’ve joined a weekly yoga class, and tried it alongside surfing in Portugal and even had a private instructor when I stayed in India.

I think I’ve improved a lot in the time, from being barely able to touch my toes! I’ve tried a few kinds of yoga and think that my favourite is simple relaxation yoga, which does just what it says on the tin and is perfect for beginners. I thought I’d share one of my favourite yoga things- Sun salutations. Known as Surya Namaskar in Sanskrit, this flowing series of postures has been done for centuries early morning as a way of greeting the sun (so obviously I would enjoy this). It has many health benefits, including stretching all the muscle groups as well as helping you focus your breathing. You can do as many rounds as you like, I think between 5 and 10 is a good number. It will take no more than 10 minutes, but is a great way to start the day.

Start any yoga session, no matter how long, with a few minutes to wind down, to focus on your breathing and not your thoughts. Each time your mind drifts, bring it back to your breath. You can sit in half lotus, full lotus, kneel, or even lie down, whatever works for you to start.

Once you feel suitably calm, its time to begin. The dogs and I will demonstrate:

1. Start with your hands together in prayer position, your feet together, standing at the front of the mat. This is mountain pose.

2. Inhale as you back-bend, reaching your arms above your head at the same time.

3. Exhale as you forward-fold, bringing your hands down on to the mat next to your feet. Bend your knees if you need to.

4. Inhale as you take your right leg back, so you are in a low lunge.

5. Bring your left foot back so that you are in plank position. Keep your breath in.

6. Exhale as you bring your knees, chin and chest to the floor. Keep your hands underneath you.

7. Inhale as you push up into cobra.

8. Exhale as you lift your tailbone up into downward dog.

9. Inhale as you bring your right forward forward, back into a lunge.

10. Exhale as you bring your left foot forward and forward-fold.

11. Inhale as you join your palms together, lift your arms up and back-bend.

12. Exhale and release back into mountain.

Now you repeat the whole sequence, using your left foot to lead this time. Once you have completed one circuit with each foot leading, you have completed one round. You can do as many rounds as you like, and you can hold each pose for a few breaths too if you prefer.

A few more yoga tips: Make sure you use a thick mat, thin ones are no fun. I like doing yoga barefoot, but you can wear socks if you want (although you might slip). Don’t forget to end with a few minutes of relaxation, the best bit of yoga! Lie on your mat, close your eyes, breathe and forget about the world for five minutes. Its like nap time for adults.

I guess I’ve turned into one of those leggings-clad downward-doggers, oops. But honestly, yoga is for everyone and my instructors so far have never been pretentious or intimidating and have made me enjoy every session. And besides, the dogs seem to love yoga almost as much as I do…

Just to prove that no photo shoot can ever be perfect!

All photos my own