Get That Yoga Glow With These 7 Moves

Enhance your body and your beauty with these easy yoga poses — one for each day this week!

By Denise Austin, creator of DeniseAustin.com

Yoga Poses for a Healthy Glow

Yoga is one of my favorite ways to relieve tension and revitalize my body. Practicing yoga not only helps calm your mind and strengthen your muscles, it can also give your appearance a boost! The deep breathing and stretching exercises can increase oxygen flow and blood circulation, which helps give your complexion a youthful, rosy glow. Try to wake up earlier each day this week and practice one of the following seven yoga moves right when you get out of bed — the glow you get may even save you a step in your morning makeup routine!

Cobra Stretch

Step 1: Lie on your tummy on a mat, your legs extended behind you. Place your palms on the floor under your shoulders.

Step 2: Exhale as you push your nose forward slightly, and then press into your palms to pull your chest forward and up, arching your back. Feel your chest open and your ribs lengthen away from your hips as you lift your head and shoulders, creating a long arch in your back. You should feel no pinching in your spine. If you do, you haven't created enough length by pulling forward as you lift. Hold for 2 to 3 breaths, then lower; repeat if you wish.

Cat Cow

Step 1: Get on all fours with your wrists directly under your shoulders and your knees under your hips. Inhale and lengthen from your hips up to your armpits. Push away from the floor to engage your arms and bring your shoulder blades down your back.

Step 2: Exhale and press your hands into the floor as you round your spine up toward the ceiling. Tilt your pelvis under and hollow your lower belly. Inhale and bring your spine down, making an arch in your back. Imagine you are reaching the crown of your head back to meet your tailbone. Repeat 4 to 8 times.

Chaturanga

Step 1: Begin in Plank position, with your hands directly under your shoulders and your legs extended behind you. Balance on your hands and the balls of your feet.

Step 2: Maintaining the Plank position, exhale and slowly lower your body until your upper arms are parallel with the floor. Hold for 2 to 3 breaths, then either lower to the floor or press back up into the Plank position.

Pigeon

Step 1: Get on all fours. Bring your left knee forward between your hands, just to the inside of your left wrist, placing your left foot closer to your right hand.

Step 2: Exhale and extend back through your right leg, sinking deeper into the stretch. Hold, breathing normally for 3 to 5 breaths, then release and repeat with the other leg.

Pose of the Dancer

Step 1: Stand with your feet aligned under your hips. Bend your right leg up and hold your right foot on the inside. Inhale and reach your left arm up to the ceiling.

Step 2: Exhale and, bending forward from the hips, take your right leg back, pressing your right foot into your hand. Attempt to bring your torso parallel to the floor and to extend your right leg to the ceiling. Hold for 3 to 5 breaths, then release and repeat on the other side.

Side Angle

Step 1: Stand with your feet about 3 feet apart. Inhale and extend your arms out to the sides. Ideally, your ankles should be under your wrists. Turn your left foot out 90 degrees and slide your right heel back slightly. Put your left elbow on your left thigh for support.

Step 2: If you feel strong enough, keeping your legs engaged, exhale as you bend your left knee 90 degrees and place the fingertips of your left hand on the floor, outside your left ankle. Extend your right arm up to the ceiling, then slowly overhead by your ear, lengthening the spine. Look up under your arm as you hold the position for 3 to 5 breaths, breathing normally. Return to standing and repeat on the other side.

Warrior

Step 1: Start with your feet aligned under your hips. Inhale as you slightly bend your knees and take a large step back with your right foot, spreading your feet about 3 1⁄2 to 4 feet apart. Turn out your right foot 45 to 90 degrees and allow the outside or your right foot to reach toward the floor. Exhale and sink into a deep lunge, with your left knee bent at a 90-degree angle and your right leg extended. You'll be looking out over your left knee. Your right foot should be pointed to the right, and your left foot will be pointed to the front and bent at a 90-degree angle. Inhale and extend your arms overhead. Reach your tailbone to the floor and stretch through your fingertips, creating length in your arms and upper back.

Step 2: Keeping your legs engaged, place your hands on your hips and square them off to the front. Inhale and extend your arms overhead. Reach your tailbone to the floor and stretch through your fingertips, creating length in your arms and upper back. Hold for 3 to 5 breaths, remaining active through the entire body. On the next exhale, release your arms and step forward. Repeat on the other side.