3 Yoga Poses for Healthy Holidays

Yoga teachers understand a thing or two about calm. So we asked one of our favorites, internationally known yoga teacher and founder of Aim True Yoga, Kathryn Budig, for calmful holiday advice. Guess what? She didn’t say you have to awake with the sun and do an hour of yoga each day!

For Budig, getting her calm on during the holidays means taking some time for herself—even if it’s quick. “It’s important to find personal space to recharge during the holiday season, since there is so much festivity going on,” she says. “I always make sure to slip away for at least a few minutes to practice a few poses, do a short meditation, or even step outside for a short walk. These small ‘me’ moments recharge me and make me fully present amongst all of the holiday craziness!

Here, Budig shares three poses perfect for boosts in key areas that often require extra attention during the holidays: Energy, Digestion and Calm. See if you can take a few minutes before festivities—or after—to choose a pose that best suits your body’s need in that moment.

Camel Pose: Begin on your shinbones with your knees and feet hip width apart. Place your hands onto your hips as you lift your heart and roll your shoulders back to open your chest. Keep your hips stacking over your knees with the chest lifting as you gently release your head back and reach your hands down to grab your heels. Hold for 8 breaths. Roll up one vertebra at a time, chin stacking last. Repeat 2 more times.

Simple Reclined Spinal Twist: Lie on your back and draw both of your knees into your chest. Give yourself a big squeeze for a few deep breaths. Drop both of your knees over to the right, keeping them stacked. Release your opposite shoulder toward the ground. Hold for 8 breaths and switch sides.

Legs up the Wall: Start seated with your side against a wall. Swing onto your back as you pivot and bring your legs up the wall. Wiggle in so that your legs are flush with the wall and touching. Relax your arms next to your sides or on your belly. Cover your eyes with a towel or lavender pillow.

Feeling inspired to do more yoga? Check out Yoga Glo. This website offers online classes for every type of yoga from some of the world’s best instructors, including Kathryn Budig; so you can get your yoga on anytime, anywhere.

Download the Calmful Holiday eBook