Do you love Yoga? Or maybe Aqua aerobics? Or even better, both?! People from many backgrounds are attracted to Aqua Yoga, this gentle form of exercise and serene practice.
But where do you start? Is it as simple as practicing traditional land-based yoga in the pool? Well, lets consider this question a little deeper. Can you see yourself doing a downward facing dog in the pool? Mmmm, maybe not! Aqua yoga certainly has a lot of considerations including adaptations of traditional asanas, pool depth and water temperature. Finding a teacher or local class to join would be a good starting point to learn the basics.
Here I list a few simple aqua yoga practices to get you inspired...
1. Aqua Namaste
The water should ideally cover your shoulders. If the water is chest height, you can squat with the feet shoulder distance apart to achieve this.
Place your hands together at your heart centre or in front of the third eye chakra, directly between the eyebrows.
Close your eyes and bow the head.
This gesture symbolises gratitude and respect and can be performed at the beginning and end of your practice to set an intention or as an opportunity to take the time to centre yourself.
2. Aqua Cobra
The water should be chest height. Place your hands on the side of the pool wall (or hold on to the lip/bar of the pool if there is one) and bend your arms for support.
On your next inhalation, slowly lean backwards whilst pressing against the wall with your hands.
Press the tops of your feet and thighs against the pool wall at the same time. Breath evenly and hold for a few breaths. Distribute the backbend evenly throughout the entire spine, keeping the chin up. Release back to the floor with an exhalation.
3. Aqua Goddess Pose
Step the feet wide apart. Point your toes out and your heels inwards, creating a 45 degree angle with your feet.
As you inhale begin to bend your knees and squat so that your thighs are parallel with the ground.
Pay attention to your alignment, with your shoulders stacked over your hips, your hips in line with your knees and your knees stacked over your ankles.
Bring your hands together in to the namaste gesture or rest the backs of your hands on your knees with open palms.
Engage your core by lengthening your tailbone down towards the floor. Hold this pose for a few breaths. To come out of the pose, extend both legs back to standing, step your feet back together and lower your arms.
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