Everyone has the same number of hours in a day. It just so happens that some of us are more efficient in managing these hours than others.
It could really depend on the work that they do, how they think, or the drive and motivation they have for that day. It’s relatively easier to accomplish your tasks for the day if you’re in the right headspace and you have the energy to do so.
Energy boosts can come from different sources. Most of us tend to rely on coffee for that caffeine kick, especially in the middle of the day. For others, moving their bodies help them in regaining their drive and giving the energy boost that they need.
This can be through stretching, walking around, or even doing a quick yoga session. This article lists 6 yoga swing poses for energy boosting you can do when you need to get your heart pumping.
Aerial Yoga Boosts Your Energy Levels
Aerial Yoga is not only good for calming the mind and relieving anxiety, but it is also best for pumping up your spirits when they seem a bit low. Having a clear and stress-free mind allows you to think and perform better.
Likewise, a good aerial yoga session can give you a surge of energy by introducing poses that clear out unnecessary thoughts that can be quite draining for you.
For Starters Set Your Intentions
At the start of every yoga session, it is important that you take the time to set your intentions for the whole sequence. This is a good starting point especially if you want to clear out your mind and eliminate any unwanted thoughts that could affect your whole yoga session.
You may either start your flow sitting down or standing up, whichever works best for you. Basically, what this does is flush out all the negative energy that had bundled up inside you, and start with a clean slate. This helps sustain the sequence and gives you better results.
To start, get behind your Aerial Yoga Swing and bring your shoulders through it. Your feet should maintain a good distance from each other. Ensure that they’re flat on the ground, soles firmly planted below.
Draw your energy from below. Slowly unlock your knees and tuck your pelvis under. Let it pass through your upper body– opening up your chest and spine. Roll your shoulders down and keep your arms beside you. Open up your palms, keeping them facing front.
After this comes to the breathing exercises. Slowly take deep breaths. You’ll slowly be more mindful of your breathing. Inhale and exhale. Then, take a deep inhale and let the air pass through your chest to the crown of your head. As you exhale, slowly push it down through your body to your feet.
Stay in this position and repeat the same cycle until you feel more centered and mindful.
Aerial Downward Dog
The first of the yoga swing poses for energy is the downward dog pose. You may do a mountain pose first to help you regain your center and stabilize your breathing. It’s important that you allow yourself to be mindful in between poses so you’re able to go deeper as you move through the flow.
To start with this position, make sure you’re in front of the swing so you can fully utilize it for support for this pose. You may adjust your yoga swing until it is aligned with your hips. Ideally, the base should sit right on your hip hinges, if you’re on tiptoes.
This is to ensure that it won’t move to your stomach once you do the fold.
Once you’re settled, let your upper body go through the swing, slowly folding it forward until your hands are firmly placed on the mat and you’re maintaining a good grounding.
After you’ve found your stability, slowly raise both of your legs and hook them around your yoga swing. Keep your head and gaze down. This way, you’ll be able to sink into the pose deeper.
Stretch your arms further, including your upper body. Lengthen your spine. You may also swing your hips side to side to relieve any built up tension there.
This inverted pose helps you increase blood flow and allow oxygen to flow through your body better. If you’re still not comfortable with raising your legs, feel free to do other variations that will be more comfortable.
Your swing should be able support you so you don’t have to worry about falling, however, your body builds tolerance. Try to practice as much as you can until you feel more comfortable doing said positions.
Aerial Locust Pose
From here, while the hammock is at your waist, we’ll come into the Locust position, one of the best yoga swing poses for energy.
This is a good pose that focuses on the back. It’s a common choice for those that are having back issues at it easily alleviates any discomfort and at the same time boosts your energy.
From your previous position, you can come into this pose by reaching back to hold on to the swing. Slowly fold your body into a table top position. Keep your head and gaze down. Your elbows should at least be aligned with your shoulders, not too high but not too low.
Then, lower down until the rest of your body is flat and you have released yourself from the floor, now floating and evenly balanced. Lift your head up and maintain a neutral gaze. This time, your arms should be above your head height behind you, as you hold on to the hammock.
Use this time to take some deep breaths. Inhale as you extend your body up into the full expression of your locust pose, and exhale while you ease into a more neutral lying position.
Do this slowly and intentionally. You may repeat this process several times, while maintaining your breathing. You want to release all the negative energy and allow oxygen to flow through your body.
Aerial Pyramid Pose
Next is the Pyramid Pose. You may take a couple of seconds to recompose yourself.
There are quite a few ways you can use the yoga hammock. You can keep the hammock in the same place as with the downward dog at your pelvic bone, or you can simply hold the hammock out in front for support.
We will place the yoga hammock through as you can see in the picture, using blocks as support instead.
Once settled, take a step forward and ensure that the space you’re creating is wider than your hips to accommodate your body and the next movements.
Place your hands on the yoga blocks as you lean forward until your upper body is parallel to the ground. Your legs should remain in a triangle position, with your right leg forward and the other at the back.
Your gaze should be downwards. The neck should remain kind of neutral to avoid straining it. Take a few deep breaths. As you exhale, fold your upper body more. Keep your back straight and hips engaged.
After this, slowly lift your body up through the chest. At this point, your feet should also be firmly placed on the ground. You may take a few deep breaths until satisfied.
Aerial Lunge Pose
Coming from your previous position, maintain the distance between your right and left leg.
This time, with the hammock behind you, raise both of your arms and hold on to the hammock, or wrap it, creating a wrist lock and to use for support.
Then, continue with a lunge pose by extending your left leg further, maintaining a wider distance between your right leg.
Stay in the position for a few breaths. Be more aware of your body. Tuck in your pelvis, straighten your back leg, and keep the ball of your left foot on the ground.
If you find your back leg folding a bit, soften your left knee then try to stretch it out further. Take a deep breath. As you exhale, slowly adjust and switch to the other leg. Repeat the same process for your right leg.
Aerial Warrior Pose
Warrior poses, even in regular yoga, are known for activating your muscles and getting you started. The aerial version will give you the same results and experience.
Begin by adjusting your yoga swing again. Height of the yoga swing should be aligned with your hips.
Then, once you’re in a comfortable position, put your right leg inside so that your thigh should sit on top of your silk.
Your left leg should remain flat on the mat, make sure you have stability. You may use a spotter if ever you’re finding a hard time stablizing yourself. Then, slowly push your body forward using your back leg.
Extended your arms out to the side and slowly twist your body to the side. Try to further stretch your back leg until you feel a stretch. Make sure to stop when you’re feeling discomfort.
Throughout the sequence, stabilize your breath. Free your mind from any anxiety and stress and just focus on the position. You’ll feel your chest open up more and your spine lengthen. You may repeat the same process for the opposite leg.
Extended Side Angle Pose
For the next of the yoga swing poses for energy boosting, your yoga swing is already in place, however bunch it up a bit under your knee. After which, slowly go back to the lunging position, with your right leg in front and your left leg straight at back.
Then, lower your upper body down to your thigh and reach your right arm down and your left arm up nice and high. You can place your left hand firmly on your foot for additional support. Your gaze could be kept down or towards your raised arm. Try to choose a direction that’s comfortable for you.
Take a couple of deep breaths. Take advantage of your position and release any tension from your body. Slowly inhale and exhale. As you breath out, slowly twist your body further and stretch your arm higher. You will feel a slight twist especially on your upper body. This is great to loosen up your shoulders, especially if you have been slouching all day.
Our shoulders and neck get tight very easily since most of us would sit in front of the computer all day, without even moving one bit. If your shoulders are feeling a bit tense, try to move into this position slowly to avoid straining anything. Once satisfied, repeat the same process on the other side.
Yoga Swing Poses for Energy
There are a lot of practices you may do to get the instant boost you need throughout the day. For instant fixes, you may rely on energy drinks and caffeine.
There is also the option of moving around, to wake up the muscles in your body and get your hear pumping. Aerial yoga exercises can be a good option for you if you have a good amount of time.
If you have an aerial yoga set up at home, or can make it to a class, then the yoga swing poses for energy boosting outlined above would be a good option since you’ll be free to do it on your own time, or in the middle of the day, while you take a break from work.
A quick boost will keep you motivated and alert throughout the remaining part of your day.
It’s very important to clear out your mind and keep your self motivated in order to operate more efficiently. You will think better, you’ll be more productive, and you’ll be able to analyze things with a clearer perspective.
Try to sustain your energy and not spread yourself out too thinly. In the event that you feel tired and a bit more drained, just move around and slowly remove yourself from the situation until you’re ready to go back in.
In the end, taking care of yourself should be your number one priority.