Partner Yoga

Looking for a fun new activity to do with your partner? Why not give couples Yoga a try?!

Working together with your partner to move into various poses has many benefits for you both, such as strengthening communication, stretching levels of trust, reducing anxiety and stress, and can help to improve both intimacy and your sex life!

Whether you are an experienced Yoga practitioner or completely new to the practice, this can be a great way to spend quality time together, release some tension, and have a little fun. Couples Yoga can vary from very simple and easy poses, all the way to very difficult - such as performing Acro Yoga.

Check out the following six poses to get you started.

Easy Pose

Sit back to back with your partner with your legs crossed and hands resting in your lap or on your knees. Notice how your breath feels as you inhale and exhale. Can you match your breathing with your partner's?
Sit for 3-5 minutes before moving on to the next pose.

Seated Twist

Staying in the same position as Easy Pose, place your right hand on your left knee, and your left hand on your partner's right knee, gently twisting to your left and looking towards your left shoulder. Hold for a few breaths then switch sides; left hand to your right knee with your right hand on your partner's left knee, looking towards your right shoulder. 
​Again, hold for a few breaths.

Seated backbend and forward fold

Starting in Easy Pose, one partner will slowly fold forward, bringing their hands to the floor in front of them, while the other partner will slowly lower backwards onto their partner's back.
Hold for a few breaths and then switch positions.

Wide legged seated forward fold

Sit facing your partner with your legs stretched out wide. Press the soles of your feet together, holding hands with the arms straight. 
You can stay in this position, or take turns slowly pulling your partner towards you as you lean back.

Boat Pose

Sit facing your partner a few feet away from each other. Press the soles of your feet together and slowly start to lift your legs into the air as you lean backwards. This may take a bit of shifting to get the proper position. You can start by practicing with one leg at a time until you find the balance. It can be helpful to have something for you both to hold on to, such as a yoga strap, a belt or tie, or a scarf.
Hold for a few breaths and don't forget to look into each other's eyes and smile!

Gate Pose

Come up onto your knees facing the same direction, extending your outside leg away from each other. Grasp your partner's hand with the inner arm, extending the outer arm up overhead, reaching towards your partner. You can grasp each other's hand, place the palms together, or try to make a heart like we did here!
Look into your partner's eyes and enjoy being in this space together.

Remember that the key here is in the connection between you and your partner, not perfecting a pose. Couples Yoga is a great way to bring in new challenges to work on together, which can help increase the overall quality of your relationship.

Focus on your breath, take your time, and keep it lighthearted and fun!