5 Ways Couples Yoga Strengthens Relationships

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Been looking for an activity you and your partner can try together? Why not try couples yoga?

The benefits of yoga are proven and abound. Research shows that it reduces stress, increases range of motion, relieves pain, and improves cardio and circulatory health. It does not only benefit your posture but it can also give you healthier skin and shinier hair. 

And as it turns out, yoga has relationship benefits too. Read on to learn about these benefits and couples yoga poses that can strengthen your relationship.

5 ways romantic couples yoga poses help

Couples yoga is by no means a sexual practice but it is an intimate one. Yoga for couples enhances romantic attraction as it heavily relies on trust, communication and chemistry to be in sync when doing couples yoga poses.

Related Reading: 6 Ways Yoga and Meditation Can Improve a Romantic Relationship

Partner yoga allows you and your partner to strengthen your relationship in the following powerful ways:  

1. Power of touch

Couples yoga requires couples to be in sync, coordinating their movement to match their poses and breathing. Mimicking each other’s movements make couples more conscious of each other, aware of each other’s needs. 

Relying and physically leaning on your partner allows you to be vulnerable and dependent, exercising your trust in one another.

Couples yoga allows partners to experience a different kind of intimacy with each other. They get to express their care and affection through the power of touch. And they get get to reap the benefits of enhanced intimacy and passion, which are closely connected as per research.

• Couples yoga pose to try: Seated twist

‘Seated twist’ couples yoga pose helps to stretch the spine and also improves digestion. You might also hear a crack as you twist but that’s completely normal.

Begin with you and your partner sitting cross-legged and back-to-back. Mimicking each other’s movements, you will twist and place your right hand on your partner’s left thigh while keeping your left hand on your right knee. Your partner should be in the same pose on the other side.

Feel the stretch in your spine as you inhale and lean deeper into the twist as you exhale. Stay in this pose for a few more breaths. Afterward, release and switch sides.

 2. Mindfulness

In yoga one practices mindfulness. It brings your attention to the present, where work and life stress do not divide your attention and focus. 

In couples yoga, the attention is on you and your partner. Your movement and breathing fall in sync and you feel an increased awareness of how to support one another through the movements.

Mindfulness allows you to notice new things about your partner and see changes you might have missed during the busy days. This also provides you with a greater appreciation of your partner and allows you to see your partner in a new light.  

Related Reading: Improve Your Relationship with Mindfulness and Meditation

• Couples yoga pose to try: Partner savasana

‘Savasana’ pose is simple and usually marks the end of a class.

You and your partner will lie on your back, holding hands. It is a pose that allows you to reap the benefits of a fulfilling practice, breathing and enjoying a few quiet moments simply holding your partner’s hands.

3. Communication

Couples yoga depends on verbal and non-verbal communication of a relationship. Tandem poses require partners to rely on each other to complete a pose and this can mean challenges of balance and strength. 

Trust, support, and communicating your needs to each other increases your bond and allows you to overcome obstacles as a team.  

• Couples yoga pose to try: Partner backbend-forward fold

‘Backend-forward fold’ pose combines the benefits of the backbend and forward fold. Sitting back-to-back once more, cross your legs. Decide between you and your partner who will fold forward and who will do a backbend.

For the one folding forward, stretch your hands before you on the floor and try, if you can, to rest your forehead on the floor or on a yoga block.

For the one doing a backbend, lean on your partner’s back. This will push them deeper into their forward fold and also allow you to open your chest. After a few breaths in this pose, switch positions.

Related Reading: 10 Effective Communication Skills in Relationships for Healthy Marriages

4. Quality time

Regularly setting aside time out of both your busy schedules, away from work and children, is an excellent way to strengthen your relationship with your partner. Quality time with your partner entails focusing on them and checking in on what their needs are. 

Couples yoga is a great way to spend quality time with your partner. Find out how they are, all the while getting away from the stress and reaping the relaxing benefits of a calming activity. 

The intimacy of yoga allows you to work closely with your partner and focus on attaining the same goal together.

• Couples yoga pose to try: Partner breathing

‘Partner breathing’ pose is an excellent beginning to a session. It allows for a calming and relaxing effect while practicing mindfulness and focusing on your connection with your partner. 

Sitting back-to-back once more, both you and your partner should be in a cross-legged position. Rest your hands on your knees and allow yourself to be aware of your connection with each other. 

Be aware of your breathing and how you can feel your partner breathing behind you. Enjoy this connection and moment of silence for a few minutes.

To learn more about how quality time with your partner can transform your relationship, watch this video:

5. Romantic attraction

Taking on activities that require physical touch as well as learning and growing together increases both the relationship quality and romantic attraction between a couple. 

The couples yoga benefits of quality time, increased support, enhanced trust, greater awareness, and addressing each other’s needs can be felt in the couple’s sex life too. 

Couples yoga allows partner to relax and have fun together, increasing romantic attraction. 

Couples can also join yoga lessons together. 

• Couples yoga pose to try: Partner forward fold

This time you and your partner will face each other in a seated position. Both legs should be extended to form a V shape. Keep your knees facing upwards and the soles of your feet touching. 

Reach towards each other to hold each other’s forearms. Inhale and exhale together. Decide between the two of you who will fold first.

To the one folding forward, fold forward from the hips. Your partner will lead you deeper into the stretch by sitting back, keeping their spine and arms straight. Go only as far as you are comfortable and communicate to your partner your limits. After a couple of breaths, switch positions.  

Related Reading: Signs of Romantic Attraction- How Is It Different from Physical Attraction

Conclusion

Couples yoga is a great workout and bonding experience you can enjoy with your partner. A relaxed and calm practice will allow you two to simply enjoy each other’s company, attention, and support.

Yoga partner poses strengthen your relationship in more ways than one, not only as a couple but also as a team.