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Do Yoga Warm Up

Edited by HealthNut, Eng, VisiHow

3 Parts:

What will you need to begin your warm-up?

How to warm-up step-by-step

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When warming up for yoga there are a number of sequences of moves you can use to get properly warmed up. You can use any of these positions in any sequence you desire to warm yourself up, but we would recommend you start with very basic moves and work your way up to some more complex ones in order to get through to every part of your body. There are also a number of good and relaxing songs you can listen to while doing your warm-up yoga sequence that will help ease your mind and energize your muscles.

Make sure you use gentle fluid movements and you synchronize this with slow and deep breaths. If you would like a deeper effect to your sequence, then feel free to hold each stretch or pose in the sequence for 1-2 breaths.

However, with the example sequence we are about to show you, it is advised that you do not attempt some of these poses or stretches if you have any recent or chronic injury in your arms, neck or back, as these can be aggravated during this sequence.

What will you need to begin your warm-up?

Although many of these stretches and poses can be performed on the floor with very little difficulty, it is recommended that you have a yoga mat you can use.
Stretch yoga trousers.
A baggy shirt or a vest that will allow you to move your arms as freely as possible.

How to warm-up step-by-step

1
Begin in a very basic pose such as the easy pose
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Take a few deep breaths in and out in order to relax your body as much as possible. Also make sure your shoulders are down and that your spine is stretched and your torso is as open as possible in order to warm up the most muscles.

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2
Breathe in again and as you are doing this raise your hands so that your fingers are pointing towards the sky
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While doing this keep your shoulders down again and try to keep your hips grounded, only reaching through your fingertips.

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3
On your out-breath, round yourself forward and place your palms on the floor in front of you
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Keep your arms perpendicular to the sides of your mat while you do this. Ensure you round the spine as much as you can and relax into the position, keeping your head and elbows down towards or onto the floor.
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4
Breathe in deeply again and raise your fingertips to the ceiling once again trying to keep your shoulders down as much as possible
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5
On your next exhale twist your body to the left
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This will help to warm up the center of the torso and your hips if done correctly. Place your left hand onto the opposite knee with your right hand placed behind your back. Then look over your right shoulder and try to look behind you. Keep your spine stretched and your shoulders down.
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6
Inhale again and stretch your fingertips towards the sky a third time
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7
On this out-breath, twist to the right instead of the left
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This time place your right hand over your left knee and lightly place your left hand behind your back. Then look past your left shoulder and look behind you as much as you can. Remember to keep your spinal column as long as possible and your shoulders down.

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8
Breathe in and stretch your fingertips towards the ceiling once again
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9
When you breathe out again, place your left hand onto the floor and make an arch facing left
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Try to stretch as much as possible through the right fingers while keeping your left elbow as close to the floor as it is comfortable for you. Do not try to push farther as this can cause injury. Keep your chin away from your chest and arch your right arm over your left ear.
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10
Inhale again and stretch your fingertips upwards
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11
When you exhale this time, place your right hand onto the floor and make a second arch, this time facing right
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Try to stretch as much as possible through your left fingers while trying to keep your right elbow as close to the floor as is comfortable for you. Keep your chin away from your torso and arch your right arm over your left ear.
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12
Breathe in and stretch your fingertips to the sky
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13
Exhale and stretch your hands in front of you, rounding your spine as you do so
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Stretch out your fingertips and drop your head between your shoulders as you stretch.
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14
Inhale and swing your arms back behind you, reaching back through your fingers again
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Press out your chest and look upwards towards the sky as you do so.
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15
When you finally exhale bring your spinal column back into a neutral position, put your shoulders down and back and open your chest again as you return to your starting position
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16
You can repeat this warm-up if you want or modify it if you so desire.
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