As the warm weather settles in, we'll be taking to the outdoors with our yoga mats to relish in some movement among the fresh air and chirping birds. Our makeshift home workout spaces have served us well over the past two years, but there's nothing quite like moving freely in nature (and without fear of knocking anything over).
(Danielle Moore sporting the LuxeLift Pullover Bra and HiTouch High Rise Short in Slate Blue)
Since YouTube fitness videos aren't quite as well suited to working out al fresco, we asked yogi and founder of Demi Yoga, Danielle Moore, to help us create an arsenal of yoga poses we can strike just about anywhere this summer. Recently, the Barbados-based yoga teacher led an on-location session for our fabulous Swim 2022 photoshoot cast.
Everyone came away from it feeling a little more limber and relaxed — a vibe we want to harness this season (and always). And with these accessible and grounding poses, you can find your inner zen, too.
Mountain Pose
(Deddeh Howard sporting the LuxeLift Pullover Bra and HiTouch High Rise Legging in Slate Blue)
Start your sequence at the top of your mat — or with your feet rooted in the sand — with this grounding pose. Stand tall with a bit of softness in your knees and feel the earth beneath you. Since most people tend to rock back into their heels, Moore recommends sinking deeper into this pose by rooting your toes into the ground.
At first glance, this pose may not appear the most active — but there's a lot going on. It's an opportunity to let go of any tightness, engage your core, focus on your breath, and tune into your environment. "You can have your arms at your sides or if you're feeling a connection, you can bring your palms together," says Moore.
From there, you can reach your arms above your head, hinge at the hips while allowing your spine to stay long, fold towards your legs and press your upper body towards your thighs in a Standing Forward Fold. You can reach your arms wide or press them together in prayer as you deepen into the fold and feel your back body truly lengthening.
High Lunge
(Deddeh Howard sporting the LuxeLift Pullover Bra and HiTouch High Rise Legging, Danielle Moore in the LuxeLift Pullover Bra and HiTouch High Rise Short in Slate Blue)
Start standing in a forward bend with your knees bent. When you're ready, step one leg backwards with the ball of the foot on the mat. Keep your back leg extended straight as your lean into your lunge with your hands stacked onto your knees.
This pose is great for strengthening the lower body, while stretching your hips and opening up your chest. It's also a great jumping off point for Warrior II pose, in which you rotate your upper body and back leg 90 degrees and extend your arms outwards, palms facing the ground. Take a few breaths here to feel the strength building in your legs and the sprawl of your upper body as it extends outwards.
Crosslegged Side Stretch
(Sarah Landry and Krystian Gabrielle flowing in the LuxeLift Pullover Bra in Axis and HiTouch High Rise Short in Slate Blue)
Coming down to your mat into a crosslegged Easy Pose, take a moment to root your sit bones firmly into the ground, align your spine, and roll your shoulders back. With one hand to the ground for stability, take a deep breath and exhale as your raise the other arm over your head into a side stretch.
As one arm reaches up and over for that side stretch, make sure to keep both sit bones rooted firmly, the chest broad, and face forward with your shoulders relaxed away from your ears. You can alternate, doing this a few times on each side. Revel in feeling the blades of grass under your hand as you linger in this side body stretch, taking each movement at your own pace.
Bridge Pose
Start laying on your back with your knees bent, soles of the feet planted firmly to lend support and arms down by your side palms facing down. Lengthen your neck and allow your gaze to remain up to the sky. Then, start to peel your back up one vertebrae at a time.
Imagine you're hugging your inner thighs towards your imaginary centre line, engaging your glutes as you press your hips higher and activate your core. You can repeat this flow as many times as you'd like, even closing your eyes to tune more deeply into each motion.
Seated Twist
(Sarah Landry and Krystian Gabrielle flowing in the LuxeLift Pullover Bra in Axis and HiTouch High Rise Short in Slate Blue, Hunter McGrady wearing the LuxeLift Pullover Bra and HiTouch High Rise Legging in Slate Blue)
With your legs extended long across your mat and your spine elongated, bend one knee and bring the sole of your foot inwards to the ground. On the same side, your hand should be firmly planted to the ground behind you as you exhale and twist your torso towards your bent knee, clutching it with the same arm.
Allow each exhale to deepen your twist as you gaze over your shoulder. Hold the pose for a few breaths before switching sides and evening out this sublime side body stretch.