June 21st is not only International Day of Yoga— it’s also National Smoothie Day! If you’re not coming to sunrise and sunset yoga at HCI, try out these two yoga poses we paired with two simple smoothie recipes to celebrate from home. Not only will you fuel your body with healthy fruits and veggies, you will also fuel your spirit on the yoga mat. Check out the recipes and photos of instructor Andrea Steimle demonstrating the poses below.

With only three main ingredients, this blueberry smoothie is as effortless as it gets. Blend together all the benefits of blueberries like antioxidants, vitamin C, vitamin K, and fiber into a delicious and refreshing drink that not only takes mere minutes to make but also is barely over 100 calories.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup blueberries (frozen or fresh)
• 1/4 cup of Greek yogurt
• 1/3 cup water and more to thin to your desired consistency
• 1 teaspoon honey (optional)
• 1 scoop of Vanilla protein powder (optional)

STEPS:

Pose:

Also known as Trikonasana, the triangle pose is a yoga move where you stand with you legs wide and knees straight, your back foot pointing parallel to the edge of the mat and front foot pointing perpendicular to the front of the mat. Then, you lean towards your front leg with your chest facing forward, raising your arm to the ceiling and your other arm to touch your calf. Try looking up at your hand if you have the balance!

GREEN SMOOTHIE + LOTUS POSE

Smoothies are not just a great way to get your daily source of fruits, but vegetables too! Spinach and other leafy greens can be easily slipped into any tasty fruit smoothie without sacrificing the fruity flavor. Use your favorite fruit in this recipe and add a pop of green to your meal.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup of raw, leafy greens like spinach, or 1/3 cup of frozen leafy greens
• 1 cup of frozen fruit, choose from: chopped pineapple, mango, banana, or cherries
• 1 cup juice or milk of choice, like coconut or almond
• Add a drizzle of honey or other sweetener to taste

STEPS:

• Put greens, frozen fruit, milk, and honey in blender.
• Blend at high speed until smooth.
• Pour into a glass, serve, and enjoy!

Original recipe found here.

POSE:

Lotus pose is a sitting meditation pose in which you place each foot on your opposite thigh, cross your legs, and hold your posture straight. The pose is named after the lotus flower plant which symbolizes purity, rebirth, and growth to enlightenment in many cultures around the world. Be careful not to overextend your knees or hips when trying this pose.