Aloha Self-Love Yoga Challenge

As we prepare to celebrate and honor love this Valentine’s Day,

we invite you to join us for our Aloha Self Love Yoga Challenge for 10 days.

Enter to win a "LOVE" Necklace,

made ofrhodochrosite, the stone of self love. 

The winner will be chosen LIVE ON INSTAGRAM 

on Sat, Feb. 15th at 11:11AM (HST).

Guidelines for the Self Love Yoga Challenge: 

• Follow @noelanilove @noelanihawaii @khilanayoga on IG
• Watch the video on Youtube
• Share your pictures of you exploring the #alohaselfloveyoga sequence on your IG feed and in IG stories.
• Tag us (all 3 above handles) + Hashtag #alohaselfloveyoga on each post.
• Share what this pose inspired or challenged in your heart.
• Follow along on IG to receive inspiration from each daily post between Feb. 6-Feb 15.

 We created the Aloha Self Love Yoga challenge because Valentine’s Day often centers around romantic love, leaving the most essential form of love—self love—overlooked. Yoga has transformational effects that extend far beyond increased flexibility and strength. It is a spiritual, physical and mental practice that can give us the tools we need to look inward and unite with our true selves. 

In order for us to radiate love out into the world, we must first cultivate a deep sense of love and appreciation for own unique self. The journey to fully loving and accepting ourselves is a dynamic one, and must be tended to daily for us to live our optimal lives.

As you move through the following poses during the next 10 days, focus on being mindful and present in each moment. Be a compassionate witness to any thoughts of negative self-talk or self doubt that arise without accepting them as the truth. Listen to your body and give it what it needs, whether that be modifying a pose or finding relaxation and grounding in Child’s Pose. And with every breath, recognize the truth of your being: ‘I AM LOVE.’

Anjaneyasana (Crescent Lunge):

The name for this pose comes from the Sanskrit word “Anjaneya,” which means “praise” or “salutation.” As you stand at the front of your mat, begin by taking a deep breath in and reaching your arms up, lifting the tips of your fingers towards the sky. Slowly releasing your breath, sweep your arms down and behind you as your step back onto the ball of your right foot. Interlacing the fingers behind you, squeeze your shoulder blades together, opening up your chest and your heart. Repeat on the opposite side.

Virabhadrasana 3 (Warrior 3): 

Named after the fierce warrior Virabhadra, this powerful pose can help remind us of our own inner strength. Beginning in a high lunge, lean forward into your left foot, pressing it firmly into the ground. Slowly lift your right leg, extending the ball mound of your right foot behind you. Keeping your chest forward and your left foot grounded, reach your arms out to your sides, palms facing down and fingertips outstretched. Repeat on the opposite side.

Garudasana (Eagle Pose):

This powerful balancing pose is named after Garuda, a fierce and majestic bird in Hindu mythology who was king of the birds. Eagles soar above us in the sky, keeping a watchful and protective eye over the earth below. Find stillness and strength in this pose by channeling your under Garuda and soaring on the flow of energy that Eagle Pose creates. Standing in tadasana, slightly bend your knees, shifting your weight onto your left foot and lifting your right foot up. Cross your right thigh over your left. As you point your right toes toward the mat, press your foot back, hooking the top of the foot behind your lower left calf. Cross your arms in front of you, with your left arm above your right and your elbows bent. Bring your elbows and the backs of the hands together. Raise your arms so that your forearms are perpendicular to the floor. Repeat on opposite side.

Ustrasana (Camel Pose): 

Camel pose can help us to open up and experience vulnerability as we expose parts of ourselves that are often kept closed off. By igniting the heart and throat chakras, this pose also helps us to feel and communicate our emotions. Standing at the front of your mat, sweep your arms up, bringing the palms of your hands together. Slowly lower your arms as you bend forward, placing your fingertips on your mat. Step your left foot back, lowering onto your left knee, followed by your right. Gently push your fingertips away from the mat, coming up onto your knees. As you inhale, tuck your tailbone under and lean back, placing your hands on your lower back and circling your toes under. Pressing into the balls of your feet, bring both of your hands to the soles of your feet. Allow your neck to relax, dropping it back and pushing your hips forward. Repeat on opposite side.

Eka Pada Rajakapotasana (Pidgeon Pose): 

This deep hip opener releases tension in the hips and helps foster sexual energy. Beginning in Downward Facing Dog, lift your left leg up, coming into a 3-legged dog. Slowly lower your leg, bringing your left knee forward to the floor just behind your left hand. Place your left foot toward the right side of your mat, keeping your shin on the mat. Lift lightly off your fingertips as you open your chest, rolling your shoulders back and gazing towards the horizon. Repeat on opposite side. 

Baddha Konasana (Bound Angle Pose):

As a restorative pose, Baddha Konasana is the perfect pose for meditation. It can also help activate your Root and Sacral Chakras, putting you in touch with your sexuality. Sitting on your mat with your legs outstretched, take a deep breath in and elongate your spine. As you exhale, bend the knees and bring your heels toward your pelvis. Pressing the soles of your feet together, slowly allow your knees to drop to the sides.

Setu Bandhasana (Bridge Pose):

Lying flat on your back with your knees bent and stacked over the heels, reach your hands to the back of each foot. Take a deep breath in, and press your upper arms into your mat as you lift your hips up. Keep your knees directly over the heels and lift the pubis towards your naval. As you physically create a bridge with your body, allow your mind to relax and your heart to open. 

Urdhva Danurasana (Full Wheel):

This deep back bend is an intense heart opener that increases energy and vitality. Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet hip’s width apart. Place your hands palms down beside your ears. Pressing evenly into your hands and feet, lift your tailbone and hips off the floor, squeezing your thighs toward each other. Straighten your arms and let your head gently fall back. 

Utkata Konasana (Goddess Pose): 

The name for this pose comes from the Sanskrit word “Utkata,” which means “powerful” or “fierce.” This is the perfect pose to ignite your inner goddess and connect with the divine feminine. Step your feet wide apart and angle them slightly outward so that your toes are pointing to the corners of your mat. As you exhale, bend your knees and lower your hips into a squat. Sweep your arms toward the sky, meeting your palms together. Tuck your tailbone in and press your hips forward, keeping your knees in line with your ankles. 

Vrksasana (Tree Pose): 

We end our challenge with this grounding pose that helps reconnect us to nature and to our own physical and mental being. Standing tall, imagine your feet connecting you to the ground like roots connecting a tree to the earth, giving it the foundation it needs to grow. Shifting your weight to your left foot, slowly lift your right leg. Place the sole of your right foot onto your left leg—on the calf, mid thigh, or upper thigh. Keep your core engaged and ensure that your right toes are pointing down and your knee is pointing out to the side. Repeat with opposite. 

Thank you for reading along. We hope you explore these poses with grace and ease in your body, and that you open up to loving yourself even more. Sign up for our email list to learn more.