Practicing yoga with a partner can be a fun and rewarding way to enhance your yoga practice.

Partner yoga poses help build trust, improve communication, and deepen stretches by using each other's bodies for support.

Here are some yoga moves that you can try with a partner:

1. Double Downward Dog

1. Partner 1: Start in Downward-Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana).
2. Partner 2: Stand facing away from Partner 1’s hips. Place your hands on the floor in front of Partner 1’s hands and walk your feet onto Partner 1’s lower back, coming into your own Downward-Facing Dog on top.
3. Hold: Both partners hold the pose, focusing on breathing deeply and maintaining stability.

2. Seated Forward Bend and Backbend

1. Partner 1: Sit on the mat with legs extended forward (Dandasana).
2. Partner 2: Sit behind Partner 1 with legs on either side of Partner 1’s hips, reaching forward to grasp Partner 1’s wrists or forearms.
3. Stretch: Partner 1 leans forward into a Seated Forward Bend (Paschimottanasana) while Partner 2 leans back, gently pulling Partner 1 and opening their chest in a seated backbend.

3. Partner Boat Pose (Navasana)

1. Sit Facing Each Other: Both partners sit facing each other with knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
2. Hold Hands: Reach forward and hold each other’s wrists or hands.
3. Lift Feet: Lift your feet off the floor, bringing the soles of your feet to touch your partner’s feet, and balance on your sitting bones.
4. Extend Legs: Slowly straighten your legs upward to form a V shape with your partner, balancing together in Boat Pose.

4. Double Tree Pose (Vrikshasana)

1. Stand Side by Side: Stand next to each other, shoulder to shoulder.
2. Ground Your Feet: Both partners ground the inside foot firmly on the floor.
3. Lift Outer Leg: Each partner lifts their outer leg and places the foot against the inner thigh or calf of the standing leg, avoiding the knee.
4. Hold Hands: Extend your arms and hold each other’s hand for balance, raising your other hand up into Tree Pose.

5. Partner Forward Fold

1. Sit Facing Each Other: Both partners sit facing each other with legs extended forward, feet touching.
2. Hold Hands: Reach forward and grasp each other’s hands or wrists.
3. Stretch Alternately: One partner leans back gently, pulling the other partner into a forward fold. Alternate the stretch between partners.

6. Partner Plank

1. Partner 1: Get into a Plank Pose (Phalakasana).
2. Partner 2: Stand facing Partner 1’s feet, place your hands on the floor, and step your feet onto Partner 1’s shoulders, coming into a plank position above them.
3. Hold: Both partners maintain the plank position, engaging the core and keeping the body in a straight line.

Tips for Practicing Partner Yoga

• Communication: Communicate clearly with your partner about how each pose feels and make adjustments as needed.
• Trust: Build trust by supporting each other and being mindful of each other’s comfort and limits.
• Warm-Up: Warm up your bodies with some individual stretches before moving into partner poses.
• Breathing: Synchronize your breathing to help maintain balance and connection.
• Have Fun: Enjoy the process and have fun exploring the poses together.

Practicing yoga with a partner can deepen your connection and enhance your yoga experience. Always approach partner poses with care, respect each other’s boundaries, and ensure both partners feel comfortable and supported.