With Valentine’s Day behind us, we’d like to remind you that everyone deserves a safe and healthy relationship. Remember, love has many definitions, and should include fun things like trying some soothing yoga for two….No matter how you define Native Love, abuse isn’t included. If you or someone you know has a question about a relationship, healthy or unhealthy, visit loveisrespect.org or text “loveis” to 22522.
Flyin’ High
Life is short. Be swift to forgive! Make haste to be kind! –Henri F. Amiel
- Sit face-to-face, with knees bent and legs out in front of you.
- Press the balls of your feet against the balls of your partner’s feet.
- Both partners grasp the other’s hand firmly on the outside of their legs.
- Both partners press their feet together and slowly raise their legs.
- SMILE and take 5 deep breaths together.
- Have fun balancing!
Lovers’ Meditation
Finding Forgiveness
Use this silent meditation as an opportunity to practice forgiveness in your relationship. Start by setting up a meditation space: dim the lights limit distractions, and play some soft music. You can either lie or sit next to one another, but just focus on yourself for the first three parts. Close your eyes and spend at least 20 minutes on this silent meditation.
- Calm yourself. Breathe and relax until you feel some peace of mind. Begin to focus your thoughts on your relationship.
- Is there anything that you have done to your partner in the past that you feel bad about? Identify these interactions. Make a commitment to yourself to end the guilt or shame that you may be feeling.
- Is there anything about your partner that you don’t like? Focus on letting go of old judgements or resentments. Don’t let the past get in the way!
- To end this meditation, cuddle together with yoru partner. Just relax and hold each other with care.
Sweetheart Side Bends
Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. –Plato
- Stand back-to-back, your hands touching your partner’s hands.
- Bend your knees slightly and raise your arms up toward the sky together.
- Hold on to each other’s hands or forearms, depending on the difference in your height.
- Press you backs together and slowly stretch to one side.
- Don’t push it!
- Let your heads drop to the side.
- Hold for 5 deep breaths.
- When you’re ready, raise your upper bodies up and slowly repeat the stretch to the other side.
Partner Palm Play
Friendship needs no words. –Dag Hammarskjold
- 1)Flowing Hands
- Stand face-to-face, about 2 feet apart
- Gentry rest your palms against your partner’s palms.
- Feel the heat coming through his or her hands.
- Look into each other’s eyes, relax and breathe.
- Take 5 full deep breaths together.
- Reach for the Sky
- Press your palms firmly against your partner’s palms.
- Together, reach your arms straight up.
- If you are shorter than your partner, grab on to his or her forearms.
- Rise onto your tiptoes and stretch up.
Sideways Smile Stretch 
- Sit face to face, with your legs spread out wide, the soles of your feet touching your partner
- Grasp your partner’s left arm with your own
- Both reach your right arms overhead and stretch toward your left feet
- Pull your partner’s left arm to go farther into this stretch
- Drop your heads to the left and enjoy
- Release and repeat this stretch on the right side
“Healing” Massage Partner 1
- Have your partner sit up with his or her legs straight out in front
- Sit about 3 feet behind him or her, facing his or her back. Then, lie down and rest your feet on your partner’s back
- Walk your heels up and down and rub the sore spots in between his or her spine and shoulder blades
- Rest your heels on top of his or her shoulders and push down. For extra leverage, raise your pelvis off the ground
- This is a heavenly way to give a back massage without lifting a finger
Heavenly Pose Partner 1
- Sit comfortably behind your partner
- Place some pillows behind your back for support
- Let your partner’s body gently lie back on your chest
- Help him or her to completely relax
- Place one hand on the receiver’s heart and one hand on his or her forehead
- Breathe 10 or more times in unison
- Rest deeply together
- To end this pose, give your partner a tender scalp massage
Hip Bend
- Giver: sit with your legs crossed or straight Have the receiver lie on his or her back
- Cross the receiver’s left ankle in front of his or her right thigh
- Bend the receiver’s right leg and gently push it forward, asking how far he or she wants to be stretched
- Have the receiver take 10 or more deep breaths
- Slowly and gently release, then stretch the receiver’s other leg
Uplifting Leg Stretch
- Giver: Sit with your legs crossed or straight
- Have the receiver lie on his or her back with the legs down, resting on top of your legs
- Take hold of the receiver’s right leg and lift it straight up
- Place your left hand on the receiver’s right heel and push forward
- Brace the front of the receiver’s right knee with your right hand
- Make sure the receiver’s right knee is held straight, and push his or her leg forward to increase the stretch
- Have the receiver take five or more deep breaths
- Slowly and gently release, then stretch the receiver’s other leg
Adapted from Lovers’ Yoga: Soothing Stretches for Two written by Darrin Zeer
