A short daily yoga and breathing practice

These restorative yoga poses allow you to explore your breath from different angles, says Liz Lowe

How often, when not in the water, do you pay attention to your breathing? A few minutes focused breathing each day can help reduce anxiety and boost concentration and energy levels.

These restorative yoga poses allow you to explore your breath from different angles. Stay in each pose for a few minutes if you can. As you breathe quietly through your nose, think about slowing and lengthening the breath, without forcing anything.

Reclining bound ankle pose

Lie on your back, knees opening to the sides, soles of feet together (adjustment options: prop knees up with cushions, place a bolster/pillow under back and head, place feet flat on the floor with knees up).

In this pose try abdominal breathing. Rest hands on the belly and slowly inhale and exhale, feeling the movement of the hands with each breath cycle.

Child’s pose

Kneel, sit back on heels (a cushion between calves and thighs can increase comfort) and lower torso to thighs, which can be together or wider apart. Rest your head on the mat (or cushion/folded blanket) with arms outstretched or by your sides, palms facing up.

From here, explore breathing into your back, thinking of your breath expanding your ribcage laterally.

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