Yoga with a Partner: 10 Asanas to Build Relationships and Awaken Feelings

The close interaction that this type of yoga implies develops trust in a couple, because some postures require full attention and involvement. By tuning in to close contact, we learn to see and feel a partner, to open up and accept each other.

Mutual help and support teaches you to find balance in unstable forms on the mat and in life.

Even those who have never practiced yoga can try to perform paired exercises. The task is to support each other, help the partner perform asanas without unnecessary tension and make the poses more stable. If one of the partners is more experienced, he can take on more difficult asanas and guide the beginner.

Before you start doing the following contact yoga exercises, remember three general rules:

1. Pay attention to the warm-up before performing the poses. You can remember any well-known warm-up or actively dance to the music for a couple of minutes.
2. Try to hold the asanas for at least six breaths. But if you became uncomfortable earlier, you need to get out of the asana.
3. Communicate with each other throughout the practice. Do not perform poses if it is difficult for you or your partner or some positions seem too difficult.

1. Setting

Sit facing each other and hold hands. Such a beginning will help to establish close contact, to feel joint breathing, to tune in. Look into your partner’s eyes and smile.

2. Balance “Outside the tree”

Get on the mat. In a standing position, join your feet and palms. Hold the balance and then repeat with the other leg.

3. Pose “Warrior”

Stand facing each other, take a step back with your left foot, leaving your right foot in front. Bend the knee of the right leg at a right angle, keep the left leg in good shape, the foot on the toe. Distribute your weight evenly on both feet.

Raise your hands and, joining your palms, feel the support in the hands of a partner, and then gently bend in your back.

Repeat the pose by switching legs.

4. Downward-Facing Dog Tilt

The main task of the pose is to help the partner stretch the spine. After he lies on his back, place your feet on his shins. Make sure he is comfortable. Join your palms, tightly clasping your fingers.

Your partner’s job is to maintain a steady effort, helping you extend your arms and achieve ultimate back extension.

5. Deflection “Dog face up”

Make a transition from the previous position – bend along the entire length of the back and stretch up, taking the chest forward. The hands of the partner lying on the floor are a support for the balance of the one who is on top. Fix the position of the deflection with support on the partner’s hands.

6. Twisting

In a sitting position, make a wrist lock by connecting your right hand with the partner’s left hand, the left with his partner’s right hand. Stretch the top of your head up, lengthening your spine, and then perform a comfortable twist, helping each other create the necessary leverage to rotate the torso.

Repeat on the other side.

7. Tilt “Angle Pose”

Sit with your legs wide apart so that your feet feel supported. Help your partner descend into a slope, using your hands to move his body lower until a comfortable feeling of stretching in the legs and groin area. It is important to try to keep your back straight.

8. Balance “Boat”

Connect the feet, straighten the legs at the knees, gently moving them up. Hold each other’s hands. Try to keep your back straight.

9. Deflection “Camel”

Stand with your thighs tightly together, keeping your knees hip-width apart. Grab each other’s forearms and try to gently and evenly go into the deflection together.

10. Rest “Child’s Pose”

One of the partners assumes the position of a child: from a kneeling position, he leans forward, relaxing, and, if possible, lowers his head to the floor, while trying to touch his heels with his buttocks.

The second one first sits next to him, back to back, and then gently leans back, straightening his legs. The partner from above is in a deflection and creates a soft uniform pressure with his weight on the partner from below.

Yoga with a partner is a way to turn an ordinary practice into a game. Be bolder, open to experiments, invent new poses. Let your imagination know no bounds!