The Perfect Yoga Routine for Your Student Apartment

Yoga is a great way to stay fit, improve your flexibility, and release the tension that builds up in your muscles after many hours sitting behind a desk. You can do a full workout or just a few stretches whenever you want a break from studying. The following routine is ideal for doing in your student apartment — all you need is enough space for a yoga mat.

1. Standing Prayer Pose

Standing prayer pose is great to start a yoga workout as well as for whenever you want to take a few moments to breathe while working on improving your standing posture. Simply stand with your feet at hips’ width distance apart and your hands in prayer position with your thumbs pointing toward your chest. Close your eyes and pay attention to your breathing.

2. Chair Pose

A great standing pose to tone your muscles is chair pose. With your legs together, bend at the knees and reach your arms above you. While keeping your upper body straight, create the sensation that you are about to sit into a chair.

3. Tree Pose

Next, take tree pose. Keep one foot planted on the ground and place the other against your standing leg. Once you’re settled, put your hands into prayer. Beginners who struggle to balance should put their foot against their ankle, perhaps even keeping their toes on the ground. As you progress, you should be able to move your foot higher up your inner thigh. Just make sure your foot is always against your leg and never against your knee. Repeat on the other side, holding the pose for the same amount of time.

4. Standing Forward Bend

Another great pose in which you’ll keep seeing improvements if you practice regularly is standing forward bend. Keep your legs straight and reach down to try to touch your toes. As you gain flexibility, you’ll find it easier to reach the ground — you may even be able to place your hands down flat against the floor. The pose releases tightness in the hamstrings, hips, and lower back, all of which are common areas of tension for students.

5. Seated Forward Bend

You’ll gain a similar stretch as in a standing forward bend with a seated forward bend. Stretch your legs out in front of you and lean forward. The aim is to be able to grab your feet with your hands and lower your whole torso down to your legs. However, it doesn’t matter how flexible you are — you’ll see benefits.

6. Upward-Facing Dog

For a deeper stretch for your lower back as well as for your chest and abs, try upward-facing dog. Start by lying face down on your mat with your hands directly under your shoulders. Then, use your hands to push yourself up until your arms are straight.

7. Child’s Pose

Use child’s pose near the end of every session to relax and have a final stretch. You can also come into child’s pose during a longer yoga or bodyweight workout for a quick breather. Sit back on your heels with your big toes together but your knees apart. Lower your body down to meet your thighs and stretch your arms in front of you.

8. Lotus Pose

Take lotus pose both to conclude your yoga practice and whenever you want to meditate. The cross-legged position involves putting each foot on the opposite thigh to stretch out your thighs and ankles. If you’re not flexible enough to do this, try a half lotus pose: put just one foot on top of one thigh.

You’ll have much more space to practice yoga if you live at 17Hundred. A great alternative to Ontario Tech University residence, we’ll provide you with your own bedroom in a spacious suite. Plus, you’ll have access to our yoga studio and other fitness facilities 24 hours a day. Book a tour to check out all the great amenities before you sign a lease.