Did you know that stretching improves blood flow, boosts oxygen levels and helps deliver nutrients to your muscles. It also removes metabolic waste such as carbon dioxide, ammonia and uric acid. This explains why since increasing my exercise intensity in the last couple of months I’ve been craving stretch sessions – my muscles need it to perform! So in this post I share my favourite yoga positions that will help stretch my muscles to in turn perform these vital functions and of course, to increase my flexibility. Many of the poses will also improve your balance the more you practice them. These are aimed at beginners, however if you haven’t stretched for a while some may still be difficult – but just give them a go, practice makes perfect! ALSO, if you like the leggings I’m wearing by We are Handsome and Vaalia, then you’re in luck – I have another pair to giveaway!
How long should I hold a yoga pose?
Aim to hold the Yoga pose for anywhere between 2-4 minutes each if you want to develop your flexibility and balance, the longer the better! In saying that, don’t be put off by this if you’re short on time, because something is better than nothing and if you can only hold for 1 minute, it is still beneficial (usually I only have time to hold for 1 minute each). The chances are you’ll get hooked and eventually want to increase the time of your practice because it feels so good!
1. Half moon pose
2. Hands on Feet
3. Awkward
Part 1 Awkward

Part 2 Awkward

Part 3 Awkward
4. Eagle

5. Standing Head to Knee
6. Standing Half Bow
7. Triangle
8. Tree
9. Toe Stand
10. Corpse
11. Wind Relieving
12. Spinal Rock back and forth
13.Cobra 
14. Single Leg Half Locust
15. Half Locust

16. Full Locust
17. Bow
18. Fixed Firm
19. Child
20. Camel
21. Head on Knee
22. Spine Twisting

We are Handsome & Vaalia Collaboration for the Charity ‘Look Good Feel Better’
These leggings (RRP$129) are a limited edition designed by We are Handsome in collaboration with Vaalia Yogurt. Generously, these companies are donating all the funds from the sales to Look Good Feel Better, an organisation dedicated to teaching cancer patients how to manage the appearance-related side-effects caused by cancer treatment. Women participate in a practical workshop leaving them empowered and ready to face their cancer diagnosis with confidence. So if you miss out on the giveaway below, it’s worth purchasing a pair…yes I just gave you another excuse to buy more activewear…you’re welcome 😜💙
The design meaning
The design on the tights is aimed to help women of all types express their vitality (definition: the state of being strong and active; energy), inspired by the fresh vibrancy of Vaalia. The leggings are inspired by the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, which were once the focal point of the largest and most vibrant city in the world. Designed for performance these leggings are perfect for yoga, pilates, running & helping you look good, and feel better.
Giveaway
Sorry, this giveaway has now closed, congratulations to the winner, Cherie S. !
To win a pair of these leggings valued at RRP$129, simply click here to visit Eat Pray Workout on Facebook, give us a like if you haven’t already and comment below on this blog post with three things you love about yourself and your vitality – because we don’t reflect on this enough!
Competition closes midnight 23 January 2017. Winners announced on this page and contacted via email.

Amy Darcy


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