Chapters (5)

How to Easy Seated Side Bends | Yoga Movement Library with Tara Stiles

Tara Stiles: Soften. Breathe. Notice How You Feel. · 1:38

asana pranayama meditation

In this practice

Key teachings

Moving from your center
Nourishing movement over mechanical form
Letting gravity guide movement
Connecting with yourself and your body's sensations

Ideal for

Beginners
All levels seeking gentle movement
Individuals wanting to release tension
Those exploring mindful movement

Lesson

Instructions

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Steps

Easy Seated Side Bends
Mindful breathing during movement
Gentle spinal flexion

Benefits

Releases stress
Increases spinal flexibility
Improves body awareness and connection
Promotes ease in the body and mind

Seated Side Bend Block

Transcript

here's your easy side bend so start sitting here of course however you're comfortable cross-legged or any other way and before you lean to the side think about gently leaning slightly away to the other side just like a branch swaying in the breeze moving from your center as you fall over letting the rest of you open up here so not leading with your arms or your hands but leading from your middle and coming all the way back up just simply falling over letting gravity do what it does opening up breathing nice and big letting yourself feel into all those unique places on each side so the movement's much more nourishing than it is mechanical coming all the way back up same thing forward moving here from your center should feel like your back gently lowering you down so your hands and arms just go along for that ride crawling back up not from your hands because your center is moving you back and keep on going until your hands just happen to catch you breaking your fall there as you push down a lift up from your middle everything back toward your center little sway side to side to come toward a nice natural neutral balance place and simply notice how you feel when you're ready gently open your eyes and those are your easy seated side bends

Practice summary

Level: beginner
Duration: 3 minutes
Equipment: yoga matcomfortable cushion
Target areas: Sides of the torsoSpineObliquesRib cage
Energy: calming

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