The Essential Yoga Poses for Beginners, According to an Instructor

Mountain Pose (Tadasana): Strengthen various parts of your body including the ankles, feet, thighs, calves, abs, and spine by practicing this foundational yoga pose. Stand tall with feet hip-width apart, distributing weight evenly through the soles.

Downward Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana): Build arm, core, and glute strength while stretching the calves and hamstrings with this classic yoga pose. Begin in a table-top position, then lift your hips toward the ceiling.

Warrior II (Virabhadrasana II): Loosen up your hips, calves, and shoulders while strengthening the shoulders, quads, and hamstrings by practicing Warrior II. Stand with feet wide apart, turn your left foot out 90 degrees, extend your arms out to the sides.

Tree Pose (Vrksasana): Stretch your hips, ankles, and feet while strengthening your ankles, calves, quads, and abs with Tree Pose. Shift your weight onto your left leg, place the sole of your right foot inside your left thigh.

Triangle Pose (Trikonasana): Strengthen your ankles, legs, and core while stretching your obliques, shoulders, and hamstrings with Triangle Pose. Stand with feet about 3 feet apart, extend your arms out to the sides, hinge at the hips to lower your torso to the left leg.

High Lunge: Loosen up your hip flexors, chest, and quads with High Lunge. Step your right foot back until your right leg is fully extended, bend your left knee slightly, lift your arms above your head, and gaze forward for 5 breaths on each side.

Bridge Pose: Counteract the effects of sitting at a desk all day by building strength in your core, hips, quads, calves, and ankles while stretching your chest and shoulders with Bridge Pose. Lie faceup with knees bent, press feet into the floor to lift hips.

Seated Spinal Twist: Start your day with a feel-good stretch throughout your spine, shoulders, and neck by practicing Seated Spinal Twist. Sit tall in a cross-legged position, twist to the left, place your right hand on your left knee.

Baby Cobra: Open up your chest, shoulders, abs, and neck with Baby Cobra. Lie facedown with thumbs under shoulders, lift your chest off the mat, press shoulders down, and inhale for 5 breaths.

Child's Pose (Balasana): Stretch your spine, shoulders, ankles, hips, and neck while releasing tension, stress, and anxiety with Child's Pose. Start in a table-top position, sink your butt back to your heels, and rest your forehead on the mat for relaxation.