Yoga poses to boost your self-confidence
Yoga is a complete discipline, combining breathing, philosophy and body practice, which allows you to refocus and become aware of your intrinsic strength. Strength is not limited to physical capacity alone, but also to self-control and mental power. Certain postures, breaths, and sacred mantras strengthen our muscles, but are also ideal for increasing our concentration and confidence in our potential. These postures can be practiced at home, which is why it is good to have your yoga mat at home.
1. Virabhadrasana, warrior pose I, II and III
Warriors are postures in which the legs are strong and firmly anchored in the ground, serving as the foundation for the entire body. In the warrior pose (whether warrior I, II or III) your gaze, drishti , is fixed on the horizon. In practice as in life, the gaze indicates our direction. In the warrior pose, the gaze is determined and serene; this is the intention of the posture. When you practice Warrior consciously, focus your attention on this energy, and feel your own energetic radiance.
2. Utkatasana, Chair pose
In the chair pose, the feet together and the legs in contact form a solid base. The whole body is organically engaged for the manifestation of the posture. Become aware of your feet in the ground and feel the power of the leg muscles. Relax your lower back while opening your heart and shoulders. Breathing should be slow and continuous in order to oxygenate the whole body. Utkata means not only the chair but also "powerful, fierce": this alignment position requires rigor and reinforces solidity.
3. Ganesha Mudra
To perform this mudra, bring together all the fingers of each hand and bend them, as if to form eagle talons. The fingers of the hand grip those of the right hand; the palm of the left hand is turned towards you at first, with the thumb facing the sky. Inhale to relax the muscles of your body; on the exhale, both hands pull each to its side, the elbows bent outwards. Perform the movement seven to ten times following your breathing, then remain silent for a moment in observation, before repeating the movement on the other side. Linked to the god Ganesh, this mudra is supposed to remove difficulties from your path, and give you strength and confidence in your abilities.
4. Mantra of abundance
The mantra for abundance and prosperity is probably: Om Shrim Shriyei Namaha . This mantra is addressed to the goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth, fortune, abundance and beauty. Mantras are powerful invocations to chant when you feel the need. You can recite it as many times as you wish, the ideal being 108 times, 108 being a sacred number in Hinduism.
You can use these body and mental techniques one to several times a day, in the morning as a daily practice or before an important exam or a job interview.
