Norfolk

Ahhh January, so full of promise, with its fresh starts and a whole year of fabulousness to look forward to, yet sooo depressing. The short, dark days, foul weather and empty pockets after the Christmas spend, throw dry and Veganuary into the mix and what is there to live for? Stay strong, sister, and resist the urge to hibernate until spring by giving these certified (and simple) mood-boosting yoga poses a whirl courtesy of Norfolk&#8217;s wellness wonder woman, <a href="https://norfolk.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/yoga-with-lucy-various-norfolk-locations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yoga with Lucy</a>. 



Lucy has long been our go to for, well, everything wellness. Offering gorgeous <a href="https://norfolk.muddystilettos.co.uk/lifestyle/wellbeing-lifestyle/ohmmm-muddy-takes-a-break-with-norfolks-wellness-wonder-woman/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">day and weekend yoga retreats</a> around the county which encompass everything from meditation, reiki and massage to crystal healing, sound bathing, astrology journalling and more. It&#8217;s safe to say she knows a thing or two about health and wellbeing. So pop your positive (yoga) pants on and smile, you&#8217;re in safe hands. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-tadasana-mountain-pose-nbsp">1. Tadasana (mountain pose) &nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/01/mountain.png" alt="" class="wp-image-61970" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/01/mountain.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/01/mountain-533x800.png 533w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/01/mountain-667x1000.png 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/01/mountain-768x1152.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Pose: Stand with your big toes touching and heels slightly apart. Arms hang by your sides, palms facing slightly forward, lift your chest and draw your shoulder blades together and down your back. Bring your pelvis to a neutral position, pull in your belly, gaze forward and lengthen the crown of your head to the sky. Inhale and exhale through your nose for 10 breaths.



Benefits: Though it might look like you’re just standing on your mat, this is a deceptively powerful pose which improves your posture, gives your circulation a boost, tones your core muscles, strengthening your back, hips and legs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-uttanasana-forward-fold-nbsp">2. Uttanasana (forward fold)&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="671" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/01/forward-fold-1000x671.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-61974" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/01/forward-fold-1000x671.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/01/forward-fold-800x537.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/01/forward-fold-768x515.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/01/forward-fold.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Pose: A forward fold, or bend, can be done seated or standing. Simply take a nice, big inhale and, as you exhale, hinge forward at the hips to lengthen the front of your torso and fold all the way down. Let your head hang. If you&#8217;re standing, you can grab each elbow with the opposite hand, or rest on the floor. Inhale and exhale through your nose for 10 breaths before rolling up slowly to stand.



Benefits: When you fold forward, you compress your abdomen, stimulating organs like your liver, spleen and kidneys. This compression enhances blood circulation to these organs, promoting better digestion and detoxification. Practicing forward folds regularly may alleviate digestive issues and promote a healthier gut.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-urdhva-mukha-svanasana-upward-facing-dog">3. Urdhva Mukha Svanasana (upward facing dog ) </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="891" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/01/upward-dog.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-61973" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/01/upward-dog.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/01/upward-dog-800x713.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/01/upward-dog-768x684.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Pose: Lay down on your belly, while inhaling, press into your hands and feet, straighten your arms and lift your chest and legs off the floor. Engage your lower belly and knit your lower ribs. Draw the shoulder blades onto your back and lift your breastbone. You can look straight ahead or up towards the ceiling. Take a couple of nice, deep breaths in the pose, before slowly lowering down and repeating. &nbsp;



Benefits: This pose strengthens the hands, wrists, shoulders, thighs and glutes, it is a great stretch for your hip flexors, abs and chest and improves spinal mobility.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-nbsp-virabhadrasana-warrior-1-nbsp">4. &nbsp;Virabhadrasana (warrior 1)&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="799" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/01/warrior-799x1000.png" alt="" class="wp-image-61972" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/01/warrior-799x1000.png 799w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/01/warrior-639x800.png 639w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/01/warrior-768x962.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/01/warrior.png 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 799px) 100vw, 799px" /></figure>



Pose: Begin standing, before stepping one foot back. Keep your upper body facing the front edge of the mat and your shoulders level. Bend the front knee, so your front thigh is parallel to the floor, keeping the weight in the front heel and big toe. Press the back foot down and lift from the inner arch.&nbsp;Inhale and exhale through your nose for 10 breaths, repeat on the other side.



Benefits: Hello energy boost! This pose helps fight fatigue, improves balance and posture counteracting the effects of prolonged sitting and being hunched over a computer. An empowering pose which builds confidence.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5-balasana-child-s-pose-nbsp">5. Balasana (child’s pose)&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="799" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/01/childs-799x1000.png" alt="" class="wp-image-61971" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/01/childs-799x1000.png 799w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/01/childs-639x800.png 639w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/01/childs-768x961.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/01/childs.png 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 799px) 100vw, 799px" /></figure>



Pose: Come to your hands and knees on your yoga mat. Bring your big toes together and bring your knees apart. On your exhale, fold forward, lowering your belly between your thighs, root your forehead to the floor (or use a block/book if you can’t reach the floor). Stretch your arms out in front of you, palms on the floor. Hold the position for ten, deep breaths. &nbsp;&nbsp;



Benefits: Child&#8217;s post provides a gentle stretch for your shoulders, back, hips, thighs and neck. It can relieve back pain, promote mindfulness, lower blood pressure and improve lung function and respiratory fitness.



Want to learn more? Check out where you can join Yoga with Lucy around the county <a href="https://yogawithlucy.co.uk/about/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>. Psst if you&#8217;re quick you could win a place on her February Yoga Spa Day, <a href="https://norfolk.muddystilettos.co.uk/reader-treats/namaste-this-way-win-a-heavenly-yoga-spa-day-worth-141/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">enter here</a>.

On the up! 5 mood-boosting yoga poses

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