How to Perform Yoga Pushups

Yoga pushups (YP's) are all about strength and balance. By using your own body weight to perform a variety of exercises – from the traditional plank pose to Chaturanga Dandasana – you can challenge your core, arms, shoulders, chest muscles, and even upper back. Plus, these poses offer incredible benefits like improved posture and stability in addition to strengthening your overall body.

Instructions

1. Position your hands shoulder-width apart and keep a neutral spine, with your core engaged and abs and glutes braced. This pose requires strong balance, stability, and core strength to master.

2. Prepare to challenge yourself mentally and physically by slowly lowering into the pushup. Keep your elbows tucked in and squeeze your shoulder blades together, like two coins dropping into back pockets.

3. On the way up, take it to the next level by pressing through your arms as you lift your hips towards the sky and drive your heels downward. You’ll feel a deep stretch in your lats, chest, calves and hamstrings as you work to build strength. Now that you’re ready, give it a go!

But YP's are no joke; they require focus, power and dedication! You need proper alignment for each pose in order to avoid any injury or death—so always remember to consult your physician before embarking on any new fitness program. You’ll also want some basic equipment like a yoga mat or resistance bands as well as blocks or bear blocks (if you don’t have access to a wall). And don't forget that slow burn feeling; it's essential when doing yoga-style pushups because it helps build strength faster over time.

Start out by attempting one of the most popular variations– the downward facing dog pose–which requires pushing off with both hands while lifting your abs and legs in the air. Then move on to a modified version of sun salutations by doing Dolphin Pushups, Chaturanga Dandasana (the classic yoga pushup), or Yogi Pushups.

For a more intense workout, try adding weights or medicine balls while performing these poses. You can also modify each move by placing your elbows on a stability ball or plank position to build shoulder strength, or perform slow and controlled pushups for better form. And don’t forget about the importance of proper alignment; if you’re not careful, you can injure yourself or strain your wrists!

If YP's are too challenging for beginners, there are plenty of classes that can help you start out slowly. From Body by Yoga to DDP Yoga and even Power Yoga, these exercise programs offer lots of variations to strengthen your upper body, abs and legs. Remembering to breathe correctly is key when practicing; always exhale as you move up and inhale as you move down.

Overall, yoga pushups offer a great way to build strength, improve balance and range of motion, and assess your fitness level. So try adding this challenging variation into your regular yoga practice or classes today. Who knows? You might just find yourself doing bear blocks in no time!