Yoga is a form of physical and mental exercise that is ever increasing in popularity. There are a wide variety of types of yoga, all designed to balance the mind, body and spirit. The most popular in the western world is hatha yoga, which concentrates on physical poses or asanas, and breathing control or pranayana.

Asanas are individual poses designed to increase your flexibility, strengthen your muscles, and often have the welcome effect of limiting the build up of fat. Each asana focuses on a particular area of the body by increasing blood flow to that area and improving function of certain organs. Each individual requires a specific program of asanas to address their own personal needs.

In addition to the physical benefits of yoga asanas, they can bring psychological rewards. They are designed to promote relaxation, and to reduce stress levels. They teach concentration without tension and calmness of mind.

Although most people think of yoga as a solitary activity, many yoga schools now offer classes for partner yoga. Generally your partner will be someone you already know such as your spouse or friend. Partner yoga can help to deepen your relationship with this person and create new levels of intimacy. However, many people prefer go to partner yoga classes alone and meet up with a new partner each time.

During a partner yoga class a number of asanas are performed. These can involve both people doing the same pose at the same time, the two partners intertwining to create one pose, or one partner supporting the other in their pose. They focus on building trust and sensitivity to your partner's needs.

Most of the asanas used in partner yoga are traditional poses with some adaptations to make them suitable for two people. Performing asanas with a partner can create more of a challenge than performing them alone, as the partners may differ in ability, flexibility, weight, height and experience. A certain amount of creativity and exploration may be necessary to make the asana work.

On the other hand, the support provided by their partner can help people to tackle more complex and demanding asanas. This can enhance the effects of the asana, increasing blood flow and energy into the targeted body area.

Partner yoga has some other advantages over traditional individual yoga in that it promotes fun, laughter and creativity as well as relaxation, concentration and balance. It can be very rewarding to share your yoga experience with another person, particularly if that person is your partner in life as well as yoga.

Depending on the asanas used, partner yoga can be very intimate and loving and is ideal for couple trying to reconnect and regain closeness in their relationship. A partner yoga workshop makes a great romantic gift for a birthday or anniversary, or can just be a fun alternative to the usual night in front of the television.