For those couples who are seeking to
enhance their complicity and improve communication
and bond in general, yoga may be an option.
Yoga is an ancient discipline born in India that unites the spiritual, the physical and the mental, and its great objective is
to integrate the being
, that is, to unite (from Sanskrit
yuj
) the mind, body and spirit.
Although it is practiced individually, some yoga postures
can be practiced as a couple
and even, when doing so, the concentration that comes with doing them with another generates
additional benefits
.
Of Vietnamese origin but born in France,
Xuan Lan
is a yoga and meditation instructor, author of books such as
My Yoga Diary
(Grijalbo) and, based in Spain, a reference for these practices on social networks such as Instagram or YouTube, where she is followed thousands of people.
Xuan Lan is a yoga and meditation instructor.
She began practicing yoga twenty years ago, trained in various styles, such as vinyasa yoga and ashtanga yoga, and
defends an active and urban style of yoga
, brought down to the reality of those of us who live in cities, with obligations and multiple tasks.
In an interview with this newspaper, he said a few years ago about the lack of time, one of the main obstacles when practicing: “Just five minutes of meditation or
practicing three sun salutations in the morning
can already be considered
a session.” of yoga
, it doesn't have to be a one-hour session every day.
We all have five minutes
, there is no excuse.
When these five minutes become an essential habit to start your day, it is very easy to go to ten minutes.”
According to Xuan Lan, “just five minutes of meditation or practicing three sun salutations in the morning can already be considered a yoga session.”
In his book
Yoga for my well-being
he includes a chapter especially dedicated to
balance postures as a couple
, so we consulted him about this practice.
“Although it is normally practiced individually, to get out in this classic way,
have a good time and connect
with our partner or friends, we can try doing yoga as a couple.
It is fun!"
More than acrobatic postures
The instructor says that although in classes several people follow a teacher, in the end
the practice is individual
.
However, there are positions that, when done with another person, require a
complicity
that few activities provide.
And this, as Xuan says, added to the physical benefits of yoga, which include strengthening leg muscles, increasing flexibility and relieving back pain, among others.
Acroyoga requires a lot of practice and technique.
Photo: courtesy Xuan Lan.
“There is a type of partner yoga inspired by the circus called AcroYoga and that we see a lot on social networks because they are very beautiful acrobatic movements, but it is a technique that involves a third person for safety,” mentions the founder of XLY. Studio, from where he spreads the practice of yoga and meditation in online mode.
Since acroyoga requires a lot of practice and technique, and is a fairly physical exercise, it is not recommended for those who are beginners.
There are postures that, when done with another person, require a complicity that few activities provide.
Photo: Shutterstock illustration.
The key to carrying out asanas with another person is trust and security.
Xuan Lan says: “When we practice yoga as a couple, we work as a team and focus on collaborating with the other, on leaning on that person and giving ourselves with total confidence.
Only in this way can we execute the asanas.
It is like an act of faith towards the person
.”
Why do yoga in pairs
“Whenever I propose this type of dynamics to my students I like to observe their reactions.
At first, everyone is shy and laughs out of embarrassment for touching a person they don't know,” the reference describes to Clarín, who on Instagram (@xuanlanyoga) has more than 700 thousand people who follow her publications.
“When we practice yoga as a couple, we work as a team,” says the instructor. Photo: courtesy of Xuan Lan.
“Couples who have never done yoga investigate a new physical communication and laughter transforms into words of conscious communication, smiles, knowing looks and hugs and they end up asking for more,” he says.
Along these lines, Xuan Lan delves into the benefits of practicing yoga as a couple.
In principle, she explains, it gives us the same benefits as individual practice, that is, concentration, flexibility, agility and strength, mental calm, more well-being in our daily lives.
Couples yoga improves the bond with your partner and communication.
Photo: Shutterstock illustration.
But, he adds, as a couple it also provides other benefits, such as improving the bond with your partner and communication, gaining confidence and enjoying different physical contact.
“We know that when there is positive human contact, the brain releases oxytocin and helps develop bonds, while reducing anxiety and fear.
All this, in addition to spending quality time together,” he tells
Clarín
.
"Practicing yoga as a couple can help improve sexuality," says Xuan Lan.
Photo: Shutterstock illustration.
In this sense, he says that practicing yoga as a couple can contribute to
improving sexuality
, specifically by working on the bond, communication and physical contact, which generates said “hormone of love and calm.”
Yoga as a couple can help you have a more fulfilling couple and sexual life.”
Yoga postures to do as a couple
So, what postures are the most recommended to practice as a couple?
“ Stretching
asanas
on the floor are the safest and can be maintained for the longest time.
Balance
games
can be a lot of fun, although somewhat challenging.
In any case, you have to
trust
that the other person will help you delve deeper into certain asanas or support you so you don't fall,” she says.
Balancing poses can be a lot of fun, although somewhat challenging.
Photo: Shutterstock illustration.
“One that I really like is
vrikshasana, the tree posture
, where both balance, each one raises the opposite leg.
That is, one raises the right and the other raises the left while we remain together in balance and the palms of the hands touch above the head.”
Here, vrikshasana, the tree pose, where both balance.
Photo: courtesy Xuan Lan.
Another asana for a partner - more passive and relaxing that I really appreciate - is a
combination of complementary postures
: one flexes in the child's pose and the other extends his body, opens his chest and relaxes on top of his partner's back.
Xuan Lan recommends this combination of complementary postures to do in pairs.
Photo: courtesy Xuan Lan.
The author comments that, “after certain asanas, the couple can do a
small massage
on the back, neck or in the area that has been worked on to relax tensions.
If you are a romantic couple who does yoga together, you can lengthen this moment and do it with a more personal and intimate physical touch to release oxytocin that stimulates sexual desire.”