A regular yoga practice is one of life’s quiet gifts. Beyond the stretch and the strength, there’s something restorative about returning to the mat — a sense of steadiness, ease, and vitality that ripples through the rest of our days. Like Ayurveda, yoga offers a rich tradition of practices for feeling grounded, energized, and resilient as the seasons turn.
In this little guide, I’d love to share three of my favourites: Eagle Pose, Lion’s Breath, and Breath of Fire. Each is simple, accessible, and — in its own way — wonderfully enlivening.
A Word on Yoga and Wellbeing
Yoga has always understood the body and mind as one. The gentle movement of asana (physical postures), the rhythm of conscious breathing, and the stillness of meditation work together to help us feel calmer, more present, and more at home in ourselves. Many people simply notice they feel better — lighter, steadier, more alive — and that quiet sense of vitality is the heart of why we practice.
Eagle Pose
Eagle Pose — Garudasana in Sanskrit — is a beautifully focused balancing posture that opens the hips, thighs, shoulders, ankles, and upper back. It asks for steadiness and concentration, and many people find it grounding and clarifying. Because of its deep twist, it’s traditionally practiced in the morning on an empty stomach.
How to find Eagle Pose:
- Begin standing in tadasana (Mountain Pose).
- Bend your knees slightly and shift your weight into your right foot.
- Lift the left leg and cross your left thigh over the right.
- Point the left toes toward the floor — or use them as a “kickstand” for balance.
- If your body allows, hook the top of your left foot behind your right calf.
- Reach your arms up, then cross the right arm under the left, resting your left elbow in the crook of your right.
- Your elbows bend at about 90 degrees in front of your face, palms reaching toward each other.
- Hold for 15–30 seconds, release, and repeat on the other side.
Lion’s Breath
Lion’s Breath is a playful pranayama practice that many people find wonderfully releasing — a way to let go of tension and shake off heavy energy. It might make you feel a little silly (and if it makes you laugh, all the better!). It can be paired with Lion Pose or practiced in almost any comfortable seat.
How to practice Lion’s Breath:
- Sit back on your heels, hands resting on your thighs, palms down.
- Relax your whole body and stay soft throughout.
- Inhale through your nose, then exhale powerfully through an open mouth with a “ha” sound.
- As you exhale, stretch your tongue out as far as it will go.
- Return to a neutral face on the inhale.
- For a little extra focus, gaze gently toward the space between your eyebrows.
- Repeat at least 3 times.
This one is lovely in the morning to warm up and feel awake, though it’s a treat any time of day.
Breath of Fire
Breath of Fire is a rapid, rhythmic pranayama practice often found in Kundalini Yoga. Like many breathing practices, many people find it leaves them feeling calmer, clearer, and more focused. It’s done by using the diaphragm to draw the navel briskly in on the exhale and release it on the inhale. Please note: this practice is traditionally set aside during pregnancy and menstruation.
How to practice Breath of Fire:
- Sit tall, spine long, palms resting on your thighs.
- Relax and tune into your natural breath, feeling the belly expand and contract.
- To find the rhythm, try panting gently with your tongue out (like a happy dog), then close the mouth and breathe through the nose.
- Draw the navel in with each exhale; release on the inhale. Keep the inhale and exhale equal in length, and stay relaxed.
- Practice for 1–3 minutes. If you ever feel lightheaded, slow your pace and even out the breath.
Yoga is for everyone, and even a single practice can leave us feeling more settled and alive. But its deepest gifts unfold gently, over time. By returning again and again — to the breath, to the body, to a moment of stillness — we cultivate a quiet, steady vitality that carries us beautifully through every season. These three simple practices are a lovely place to begin.
This article is wellness education rooted in Ayurvedic and yogic tradition, not medical advice. Vedazon offers wellness sessions and constitutional readings; we do not diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition. If you have a health concern, please consult a qualified healthcare provider.