As the temperature rises, people  go outdoors to care for their gardens and take their exercise programs to the streets. An easy, effective way to help your body adapt to increased activity is by doing yoga. Yoga positions stretch muscles that are tight and help strengthen weak muscles, creating better overall muscle balance and reducing the risk of injury. Yoga improves endurance and balance, increasing awareness of the distinction between muscular fatigue and pain, before it can lead to injury. It also heightens quality of breath. This helps in calming stress and improving clarity of thought.
The six poses in the sequence below have been selected so that active people can keep on doing what they enjoy doing. Remember to warm up before doing these postures! Ease into each position until you feel a gentle pulling and are able to breath in a comfortable way. Focus on feeling comfortable and breathing smoothly, making sure not to force your body to a point where you feel pain. If you are not certain about how to do a pose, speak to an experienced yoga teacher who can give you pointers on form, breathing and on how to modify poses to suit your body.
 

Warrior 1 Pose
This pose stretches the muscles that cross in front of the hip. Keep the front knee over the heel and balance on the toes of the back foot. As you inhale, lift your arms out to the sides and over your head. Lower them back down to your sides as you exhale

 

Dancer's Pose
Stretches the muscles in the front of the thigh and shin. The standing leg should be slightly bent. For better balance, hold on to something or look at a stationary object in front of you. Mentally focus on relaxed and deep rhythmic breathing.

 

Extended Side Angle Pose
A good stretch for hips, groin, and torso. Keep the front knee over the heel and press the ground with the outer edge of the back foot, while reaching  your arm over your head. Feel your ribs as they lift up and outwards.

 

Downward Dog Pose
A full body stretch that opens your shoulders and chest and stretches the back of the legs and ankles. Press the palms of your hands flat and keep your knees slightly bent.

 

Reclining Pigeon Pose
Stretches groin, hips and buttocks. Flex the foot of the crossed ankle and gently pull with your hands on the back of your thighs. Remember that you should always breathe easily.

 

Reclining Twist
Good for stretching your lower back and the outside of your thighs. Let gravity pull your legs down into a gentle stretch.

Inspiration 

Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod