YOGA is a way of life. It is proven that Yoga helps you lead a healthier way of lifestyle, it enhances your senses, builds your immunity system and keeps you fit, physically and mentally. Imagine an activity that increases your flexibility, strengthens your muscles, centres your thoughts, and relaxes and calms you. Yoga does all that and more! Yoga is an ancient physical and spiritual discipline and branch of philosophy that originated in India reportedly more than 5,000 years ago. The word yoga comes from the Sanskrit word yuj, which means to yoke, join, or unite. Yoga uses asanas (postures), focused concentration on specific body parts, and pranayama (breathing techniques) to integrate the body with mind and mind with soul. Let's strive to be better versions of ourselves by doing these Yoga exercises every morning, even if just for half an hour, that will make big differences in your life!

1) Standing Side Bend

Stand tall with feet and legs together. Stretch your arms straight up, lower your right arm to your side and bend right with your left arm dropping on the right side as well.

2) Downward Dog (Adho Mukha Savasana)

Begin in a kneeling position on your mat with hands directly under shoulders, fingers spread wide. Tuck your toes under and engage your abdominals as you push your body up off the mat so only your hands and feet are on the mat. Press through your hands, moving your chest gently toward your thighs and your heels gently toward the floor.

3) Crescent Lunge

From a standing position, step the ball of your left foot to the back of the mat. Keep your feet slightly wider than one another like you're standing on railroad tracks. Reach both arms straight overhead and bend the right knee to 90 degrees. Relax your shoulders as you continue reaching up and lengthening the back leg. Hold 30 seconds and switch sides.

4) Wind Relieving Position

Lie down on your back and bend your knees to your chest. Keep your thighs close to your abdomen and chest. Wrap your arms around your legs and stay for 10 breaths.

5) Butterfly Pose

Sit up straight with your legs spread out and bend your legs so that the soles of your feet touch each other. Grab your feet tightly with both hands, bend forward with your arms bent to the side. Feel the stretch in the inner thighs and take long deep breaths while relaxing your muscles.

6) Plough Pose

Lie on the back with arms beside the body and palms downwards. Inhale and lift the feet off the floor with your core muscles, raising the legs vertically at a 90 degree angle. Support the hips and back with your hands and lift them off the ground. Sweep your legs in a 180 degree angle over the head until your toes touch the floor.

7) Child's Pose (Balasana)

From kneeling, bring your chest down onto your thighs and your forehead to the floor. Your arms lengthen by your side with your hands next to your feet; if it's more comfortable, stack your hands underneath your forehead.

8) Standing Forward Bend Pose (Uttanasana)

Walk your feet toward the hands and let the upper body hang. The neck and head are relaxed, the knees bent to start with. If there's no tension in your lower back you can start to straighten your legs. As you inhale find length through the spine, exhale and the head moves slowly towards the feet.

9) Triangle Pose (Trikonasana)

From a standing position, widen your leg stance to about a leg-length. Turn the right foot out to the side, ensuring the heel is aligning with the center arch of the left foot. Take the arms parallel to the ground and reach out to the right side, keeping both legs straight with the thighs engaged. When you can't reach any further, pivot the arms so they are in one line, moving in opposite directions. The chest remains open and the torso lengthens.

10) Cow & Cat Pose

Move into a tabletop position with the wrists directly beneath the shoulders and the knees beneath the hips. Press the palms into the mat to ensure your shoulder blades are broad. As you inhale, look forward, or up if it's comfortable for your neck, reaching the tailbone toward the sky. Exhale as you tuck the chin to the chest and reach the tailbone to the floor.

Happy International YOGA Day Everyone :D