Yoga for Couples at Home: Strengthen Your Bond with Partner Poses

Yoga is Karma, Dharma, and Sadhana.

Yoga is karma, dharma, and sadhana, meaning the union of the soul with the Supreme. Yoga is a natural therapy that holds the solution to even the most severe problems. Studying and practicing various yoga asanas is a fundamental right of a healthy human life. Yoga not only strengthens the body but also nurtures social and family relationships, making it undeniable that yoga plays a significant role in human well-being.

Yes, many of you must have heard about the definition of yoga and its asanas, which help individuals maintain good health. Often, it is observed that people either practice yoga alone or learn under the guidance of yoga instructors.

So today, let's talk about a yoga method that is gaining immense popularity in today’s era—Couple Yoga, also known as Partner Yoga in English. In this technique, two individuals practice yoga asanas together. Just as regular yoga practice helps us master yoga and understand ourselves better, couple yoga allows us to understand not only ourselves but also our partners on a deeper level.

Practicing yoga together fosters respect, honesty, trust, love, acceptance, and a strong emotional, mental, social, practical, and familial bond between partners. Both individuals feel positive vibes and optimism for each other.

In couple yoga, both partners sometimes perform the same asana together, while at other times, they practice different asanas simultaneously. As a pair, when two individuals perform yoga together, it enhances not just their physical and mental well-being but also their emotional and intellectual growth. This strengthens their relationship, enabling them to understand each other's thoughts without the need for words. In simple terms, the synchronized practice of yoga postures by both individuals can also be called teamwork.

Compared to practicing alone, teamwork in yoga always yields superior results, as it promotes emotions like compassion, relaxation, self-awareness, and mutual understanding.

Couple Yoga Asanas

There are several yoga asanas that couples can easily study and practice in the initial days of their couple yoga journey. These are as follows:

1. Meditation for Concentration

Before practicing yoga asanas daily, both partners should first sit in a clean and quiet environment on a yoga mat in Padmasana posture. This asana should be performed while chanting 'Om.' Doing so will help both partners move toward spirituality. It is a simple way to focus the body and mind in one direction. This yoga practice generates positive energy and thoughts in both partners, eliminating negative thoughts.

Method:

To perform this asana, both partners should sit facing each other in the Padmasana position. Both should place one hand on their partner’s knee. Keep the body straight without any bending. Finally, both partners should close their eyes while looking at each other and concentrate on their breath. Take deep breaths and practice this asana for 5-10 minutes.

2. Couple Vrikshasana

It means the Tree Pose. This asana is widely practiced to improve overall body balance. It strengthens the spine and leg bones while also improving blood circulation. Practicing this asana helps eliminate heart-related diseases.

Method:

Begin by standing straight on a yoga mat in a calm environment while taking a deep breath. Both partners should face forward while practicing this pose. During yoga practice, focus only on yoga and avoid any other distractions.

3. Couple Utkatasana

During this asana, the body's posture resembles sitting on a chair, which is why it is called Chair Pose in English and 'Kursi Mudra' in simple terms. Although this asana can be done alone, when two partners practice it together, they provide support to each other and feel a deeper connection. This asana enhances body stability and strengthens the neck, back, thighs, knees, and toe muscles.

Method:

For this asana, both partners should stand straight on a yoga mat with their backs against each other. They should keep their backs firmly pressed together, take a deep breath, and slowly lower their bodies while bending their knees slightly. Maintain an appropriate distance between both feet, forming a posture similar to sitting on a chair. Keep the body completely straight without any bending. Both partners should keep their heads stable and avoid twisting their bodies in any direction. The entire body's weight will be on the feet. This asana helps partners understand the fatigue or relief experienced by each other's bodies during practice. Hold this posture for 3 to 5 minutes, then stand straight and relax. Both partners should practice this asana five times. Always perform yoga poses in a relaxed state and avoid any unnecessary strain on the body.

4. Utkata Konasana

During this asana, the body appears similar to the shape of a temple, which is why it is also called the Temple Pose in simple language. It is a very easy yoga practice that has been performed in childhood in various play activities. This asana creates a stretch in the body, making the shoulders, waist, and spine more flexible and strong. It also helps in reducing mental stress.

Method:

Both partners should stand straight on the yoga mat like Tadasana, facing each other while taking deep breaths. The partner standing on the right should look at the partner on the left, slightly bow their head, and extend their hands towards the left partner, aiming to hold their shoulders. Similarly, the left partner should follow the same process. As both partners lower their heads, they will be able to see each other easily while holding each other's shoulders. Hold this pose for three minutes and practice as per convenience.

5. Ardha Matsyendrasana

This asana involves twisting or half-turning the body. It enhances digestion, refreshes the skin, and reduces unnecessary stress, keeping energy levels balanced.

Method:

This is a seated pose. Both partners should sit back-to-back in Padmasana or Sukhasana, making sure they are not facing each other. Take a deep breath, and the first partner should place their right hand on their left knee. While exhaling, keep the spine straight and twist the body to the left, finally placing their left hand on their partner's right knee. Both partners should practice this asana in the same manner. Close the eyes and enjoy the stretch. Repeat the asana five times.

6. Couple Naukasana (Boat Pose)

This asana, also known as Navasana, strengthens abdominal muscles and helps in curing digestive problems. It is highly beneficial for bones as well. Practice this asana daily for five minutes on an empty stomach.

Method:

To perform this asana, both partners should sit on the yoga mat with their legs extended straight so that their hands can easily touch their toes. Both partners should practice this asana together while sitting face-to-face. Looking into each other's eyes, they should keep their backs straight, take deep breaths, and lift their legs towards the sky. Both partners should extend their arms towards each other, bringing their hands near their knees. When observed completely, this asana forms the shape of the English alphabet 'W' with two partners, and if viewed partially, it resembles the letter 'A'.

7. Yugal Ushtrasana

This asana is very easy to perform. It enhances flexibility in muscles from head to toe and reduces both physical and mental stress. During the practice of this asana, a stretch is felt throughout the body, preventing stiffness and keeping the body refreshed.

Method:

First, sit on your heels in Vajrasana, placing pressure on the knees. Both partners should sit facing each other, positioned side by side. Close your eyes and slightly connect your waists, then lean backward while raising your hands toward the sky. Slowly lower your hands and try to grasp your heels while tilting your neck backward. A strong stretch will be felt in the body, so avoid rushing through the pose. If you feel any discomfort, return to a normal posture and rest in Shavasana for a while.

8. Couple in Shavasana

Lie down like a corpse. This is the simplest and most beneficial asana, as it is performed at the end of yoga practice to relax the body completely. If any stiffness or tension has built up in the body during the session, this asana helps release it. It improves blood circulation, normalizes heart rate, and relaxes the eyes.

Method:

Lie down where you are practicing yoga, close your eyes, take deep breaths, and feel relaxed. Stay in this position for 2 to 5 minutes. Ensure that this asana is performed at the end of all yoga sessions, or whenever the body feels heavy during any asana.

Benefits of Couple Yoga

• -Practicing yoga together strengthens the bond between two partners. When a couple practices the same asanas at the same time in the same place, their focus naturally shifts more towards each other, deepening and strengthening their existing relationship.
• -Some asanas involve physical connection for a certain period, which fosters a sense of attachment between the partners.
• -Practicing yoga together makes partners more aware of each other's health concerns and important aspects of well-being, leading to increased attentiveness toward each other.
• -When couples take time out for yoga, disagreements diminish, and communication becomes more harmonious. Yoga is a natural therapy that eliminates negative energy from the body and creates a positive aura all around. It strengthens physical, mental, and emotional well-being to such an extent that no confusion arises in the relationship.
• -Regularly practicing yoga together ensures that partners dedicate time to each other. In today's world, couples are often so occupied with their work that they struggle to find quality time together. In such cases, practicing yoga using nature’s techniques is the best approach, providing a peaceful, pure, and serene environment without any external interference. Nowadays, people spend excessive time on smartphones, but if you practice couple yoga daily, your life partner will naturally spend more time with you. They will also become more aware of the negative impact of excessive smartphone usage on health and relationships.
• -Health will become stronger—by consistently practicing yoga together, couples will develop a fit and robust body. As a result, they will be less prone to illnesses, and issues like premature fatigue, weakness, and other diseases will not affect them. A healthy body is always attractive to everyone.

Important Considerations

Keep in mind that before practicing yoga, if you are suffering from any kind of illness, be sure to consult a doctor and do not make the mistake of practicing yoga on your own. Always seek advice from a yoga expert. In the initial days, practice only very simple asanas. As you continue regularly, gradually start practicing new asanas and increase the duration as well.