Fitness mantra: Take your yoga under water with these simple and fun aasanas

But did you know that yoga doesn’t necessarily have to be performed on a solid ground? Aquatic yoga, the practice of doing yoga underwater, has been gaining increasing popularity in our city and across the country.

While underwater yoga may sound intense, it actually is even easier than performing yoga on the ground, because water makes your body feel more buoyant. Your body tends to feel lighter and you are more inclined to take on poses that you would normally keep away from on the ground. This is what makes underwater yoga a perfect exercise even for those healing from injuries. Here are some easy poses that you begin with, to get used to performing yoga under water. If you don’t have a private pool, don’t fret, as you can perform these aasanas at any community swimming pool in your neighbourhood as well.

Sweep your arms up and out of the water and stretch them toward the sky as you stand firm with your legs on the floor of the pool. The difference between performing this move in water and on your mat is the resistance that water provides for your chest and shoulders. Keep your tummy firm, arms straight and shoulders drawn back and down for best results.

Begin this pose with an upward salute. On your next exhale, sweep your arms forward and down and bend your knees, dropping into a low squat with your arms by your sides. On your inhale, raise your arms forward and up to return to upward salute. Depending on how deep the water is, your head may submerge completely when you drop into the pose.

The pose enhances one’s balance and works the muscles of glutes, hamstrings and the back. Shift your weight onto your right foot and lift your left heel towards your left buttock as you bend the knee. Hold the knee in place with your left hand for eight to 10 breaths. Repeat the pose on both sides.

Begin the pose by squatting down into a chair pose. On an exhale, hop up and back so you end up on top of water. Quickly bend your knees, reach back and grasp hold of your ankles. Draw your shoulders back and kick your feet into your hands and hold the pose.

No yoga practice is complete without the resting corpse pose. Try to balance yourself on the water surface and lie flat. You can either use pool noodles or a raft to rest above water for three to five minutes before ending your exercise.