We all have days when nothing seems to be going the right. Often, both mind and body can feel the effects of that hard day. Your shoulders begin to hunch and your hips begin to feel tight. It feels impossible to make small decisions.

 

Yoga is one of the easiest and healthiest ways to remind yourself that you are strong and capable when days get hard. Whether you do an hour yoga practice or just have time for a few poses, yoga will release the stress you are holding in your body and allow your mind to clear.

When you feel stuck in a hard day, try these 6 yoga poses to help empower you:  

1. Warrior II (Virabhadrasana)

 

Warrior II uses all parts of the body. From feet, through legs, and out through arms and head. It will ignite your passion, stamina, and confidence. The name, Warrior II, shows how empowering this pose is. As you hold Warrior II, take deep breaths feeling your inner strength.  

2. Upward-Facing Dog (Urdhva Mukha Svanasana)

 

Upward Facing Dog helps keep your back healthy while also opening up your shoulders, chest, and core. As a backbend, it will energize and expand your heart. Continue to pull your shoulders away from your ears in Upward-Facing Dog. As you hold this pose, lengthen your breath and feeling the release through the front of your body.

 

 

         

 3. Big Toe Pose (Padangusthasan

 

Toe Stand opens up an often forgotten part of the body, the bottom of the foot. It is a grounding pose that activates your root chakra. By activating your root chakra, you are pulling yourself back to your core self. As you pull focus within, you will be able to make the decisions that are best for you. As you settle into Toe   pose notice how your mind begins to quiet and focus on the body.

4. Dancer’s Pose (Natarasana)

 

Dancer’s pose is an energizing pose that uses the whole body. As a balancing pose, it helps center your mind. As you focus on balancing and breathing, you find that you cannot focus on anything else, giving you a few powerful moments of ultimate presence in yourself.

 

 5. Dolphin Pose (Catur Svanasana)

 

Dolphin Pose strengthens your arms, core, and legs while also opening up your shoulders. It helps calm the brain and relieve stress and mild depression. As you breathe in dolphin pose, take note of both your strength and your ability to let go. Find your Dolphin Pose when you want to connect with both your strong self and your soft self.

 

6. Wheel Pose (Chakrasana)

 

Wheel Pose is a deep, intense backbend that challenges your sense of up and down. As mentioned before, backbends open up the chest and expand your heart. This will leave you feeling renewed. Wheel Pose is an awakening pose. Meaning, if you sitting at your desk feeling lethargic, finding a Wheel Pose can help bring some energy back into your mind-body.

 

Yoga is one of the purest ways to cultivate confidence and inner strength. It shows you how strong and adaptable your body is. It helps you slow down your mind and quiet any racing thoughts. So, when you feel like you cannot make it through your day, take a moment, and do these 6 yoga poses to remind you that you can overcome it.