double dog

Down Dog is a great pose for building strength in the upper body while also stretching out the shoulders and arms and the backs of the legs. To turn Down Dog into a fun partner pose, simply have one friend get into Down Dog. The partner will stand about 12 inches in front and go into a Forward Fold pose, placing her hands on the ground. Slowly raise one leg and place it gently onto the lower back of your partner. Take a good inhale and gently lift your other leg and place it onto your partner’s lower back alongside your other foot. It looks a lot harder than it is! So be sure to give it a try. Barking optional.

double tree

Tree is a great pose to work on your balance and ability to concentrate. However, we admit that striking your Double Tree pose with your BFF might lead to more giggles than focus. But, hey, yoga + fun = yay! Stand next to each other in Mountain pose, then each raise your outside leg, bend your knee and place the heel of your foot to rest on your standing leg. If you’re feeling shaky, start low and place your foot at the ankle of your standing leg. You can go higher with your bent leg as your stability allows. And as partners, you’re able to support each other by interlacing your arms, either at your heart or reaching them above your head for extra effort. Stay strong!

double boat

This is one of my favorite poses to strengthen the core. By practicing it with a friend, you get to develop your strength and your friendship at the same time! Start seated facing each other with your legs bent. Hold hands on the outside of your legs, then connect the soles of your feet and press into your feet to lift and extend one leg up at a time. Then extend the other leg. For an added degree of complexity, use your core to help you balance while slowly bringing each leg outside of your arms for a wide boat pose. Bon Voyage!

supported forward fold

A great, easy pose to help stretch out your arms, shoulders, and backside. Great for swimmers, tennis, volleyball and basketball players, or anyone with a tight upper body, lower back and hamstrings. Face each other and place your hands on each other’s shoulders. Take a step back and bend forward from the hips, getting as much distance as your muscles will allow (particularly those tight hamstrings). Breathe in, breathe out. With each exhale, see if you can release yourself a little more into the stretch.

elevator pose

A fun pose to see just how much you trust your bestie! Stand facing away from each other, as far apart as possible but close enough so that you can still reach out and hold hands. Then, still holding hands, start to lean back and begin bending your knees to slowly lower into Chair pose. Continue to lower down as far as you can while still supporting and holding onto each other (you can link your arms instead of holding hands). Then come back up together. This is a great pose to work on building leg strength together. You can enjoy going up and down in your elevator to build your yogi power.

lizard on a rock

This a great pose to open up the chest, lengthen the spine, and help develop your Wheel pose. The “rock” will start in Child’s pose, while the “lizard” will sit gently on the “base”—or low back of the “rock.” Then the lizard will slowly backbend over the rock, extending her arms over the rock. The rock can grab the lizard’s hands to help deepen the stretch. When the lizard is ready to come off, the rock can slowly arch her back to help the lizard roll up and off. Be sure to switch roles/poses so that everyone gets a chance to stretch. Rock on! (Ha, get it?)

Lolo’s Studio is New Orleans’ first youth-centered yoga studio. Through yoga, fitness, and art, Lolo’s is bringing body + mind together and helping youth tap into their internal power so they can better manage physical and mental stress. Learn more at lolosstudio.com or check out Lolo’s Studio on Instagram at @lolosyouthyoga.