Yes, Your Zodiac Sign Can Help Find Your Perfect Yoga Posture—Here’s How

You swore you’d do more yoga this year because its benefits—like reducing stress, boosting brain health, improving range of motion—are unmatched. If you’re not sure which type of yoga you’re in the mood for, or just want to try something different, let astrology help guide you.

That’s right, the stars can help determine which yoga poses are best for you, depending on your zodiac sign. To learn more about the relationship between yoga and astrology, plus which postures align with your sun, moon, and rising signs, we chatted with yoga teacher and astrologer Mary Clare Sweet, founder of Lotus House of Yoga. So keep this list handy as you roll out your mat and get ready for the perfect personalized flow.

The connection between yoga and astrology 

Yoga and astrology are two totally distinct systems, Sweet explains. “Yoga is a science for living your life—so, tools and techniques to live your life by,” she says. “Astrology is math and astronomy, and it can provide context for the way you experience life.”

Translation: Yoga is more of a practice, and it aims to bring you back to your center, according to Sweet. At your center, you’ll feel a sense of calm or balance. Astrology, on the other hand, is a way to fully accept who you are and trust the way life is going for you.

It’s helpful to take astrology into account when practicing yoga because all the zodiac signs are in an elemental category: fire, earth, air, and water. When you have strong placements in one of those elements, you're going to become drawn to that element in yoga, too, Sweet explains. 

For instance, fire signs (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius) have an intensity about them that draws them to a hot power flow that’s all about athleticism. Earth signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) may resonate with a more grounded, foundational practice, like a deep stretch or a yin class. If you’re an air sign (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius), you might be really drawn to Kundalini classes or classes that focus on breath. And if you're a water sign (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces), you'll probably be more drawn to classes that give you space to process emotions in a really safe and deep way, like a slow flow or restorative class. 

Knowing this information “gives you the wisdom to say, ‘Okay, once a week I need to take a restorative yoga class to balance out all that fire,’” Sweet says. “When you know your astrology, you really can use yoga to bring you back into balance and to your center. That doesn't mean you'll never do things that are aligned with your powerful placements, but you'll use the wisdom of astrology to help curate a yoga practice that fits you perfectly," she adds.

The best yoga pose for your sun, moon, and rising signs

Before we dive in, here’s a quick refresher on sun, moon, and rising signs: Your sun sign represents your core personality traits, your moon sign represents your inner world and emotions, and your rising sign represents the way others see you. (If you don’t know your signs, here’s how to read and understand your natal chart.)

Based on that info, let's get into the real reason you're here—to find which yoga pose is best for you and your zodiac sign. Drum roll, please...

Aries

Here are some poses that are sure to turn up your inner fire, Aries.

Sun: Warrior I (Virabhadrasana I)

“Warrior I will embody the essence of the warrior spirit of Aries, but it will ground that energy,” Sweet says. “It will make the Aries sun slow down, be patient, and pause so they can see truly and clearly the next right step.” This pose is achieved by doing a deep lunge with hips facing toward the front of the mat and arms raised vertically above your head.

Moon: 4-7-8 breath

The 4-7-8 breath exercise involves inhaling for four counts, holding your breath for seven counts, and exhaling for eight counts. “This is a breath that helps to activate the parasympathetic nervous system (i.e., the system that facilitates rest) and helps to bring regulation into a nervous system that might be fueled by 'go, go, go' or adrenaline,” Sweet says.

Rising: Dancer’s pose (Natarajasana)

“Aries does everything from the heart, and is a leader,” Sweet says. This is why dancer's pose is perfect for Aries rising: It's a balanced posture that leads with an open heart and accesses that athletic, fiery spirit, too, she adds. The pose involves balancing on one leg while holding your other leg behind you in a curved position.

Taurus

As an earth sign, you'll want to try out these grounding poses, Taurus.

Sun: Garland pose (Malasana)

Garland pose (aka yogi squat) is a deep squat that's going to “help the Taurus feel grounded, but it's also going to be a hip opener,” Sweet says. “Taurus sometimes likes to stuff their feelings down a little bit, so this Malasana pose will help a Taurus get in touch with their feelings, get in touch with that water element inside," and serve as a safe space for them to feel grounded, she adds.

Moon: Three-part breath (Dirgha Pranayama)

This exercise involves inhaling and exhaling through three different parts of the body: the belly, the ribcage, and the chest. Visualizing the rise and fall of these three parts can help promote deeper, more relaxing breaths. "Durga Pranayama really helps you feel centered, grounded, and stable in your body,” Sweet says. “A Taurus moon is very determined and persevering. Durga Pranayama will help open up some stagnant energy that tends to happen when a Taurus starts to feel a lot of big feelings.”

Rising: Mountain pose (Tadasana)

“You can't get more grounded, powerful, and steady than mountain pose for Taurus rising,” Sweet says. “This is going to help them feel in their power and their body, as well as steady, grounded, and ready to take on what the world is bringing to them.” All you have to do is stand tall at the front of your mat with your arms at your sides.

Gemini

Get out of your head and into your body with these poses for air signs, Gemini.

Sun: Downward-facing dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana)

Gemini is a talker and an overthinker who sometimes gets into analysis paralysis, Sweet explains. “When you do downward-facing dog, you’re grounded,” she says. “But this pose is also an inversion, so it's getting the heart and the gut higher than the head, which is going to help Gemini get out of their head, but also feel kind of distracted because the posture is challenging.”

To do this pose, start in a plank position on your mat and then slowly raise your hips toward the sky until your body makes somewhat of a triangle shape.

Moon: Box breath

Box breath is where you breathe four, six, or eight counts on the way in, hold for four, six, or eight counts, exhale out for four, six, or eight counts, then empty your breath for four, six, or eight counts. “Gemini thinks in black or white—it's on or off, it's thoughts or feelings,” Sweet says. “This box breath is really going to bring them into their center so they can think more clearly and communicate their truth.”

Rising: Cat-cow pose (Bitilasana Marjaryasana)

“I chose the cat-cow pose because Gemini is the twin,” Sweet says. “So again, there's that binary. Cat-cow pose shows their body that they can move between two things with harmony. It doesn't have to be so abrupt.” To do this pose, place your hands and knees on the mat and alternate between arching and doming your back.

Cancer

As a water sign, you'll want to try these flowy poses, Cancer.

Sun: Low lunge B (Anjaneyasana B)

“This low lunge is really going to help the Cancer open up their hips and get in touch with their feelings, which they love to do, but it’s also very grounding and stabilizing,” Sweet says. “It's close to the earth, and so it feels steady. It's also a heart opener, and if held long enough, it can be kind of challenging. So it's going to activate that heat inside them that they need.”

Get into this pose by starting in a high lunge, then placing your back knee on the mat for a deeper stretch.

Moon: Quantum breath

Quantum breath is a combination of breathing and visualization: After you inhale, you immediately smooth out the transition to your exhale and vice versa, Sweet explains. The goal? You want the spaces between the inhale and the exhale to become seamless. “A Cancer moon is always up in their feelings, so this is going to help transcend the body and move up into that third eye space,” Sweet says.

Rising: Crescent pose (Anjaneyasana)

Cancer rising is ruled by the moon, so making a crescent moon shape with your body is exactly what this rising sign needs to “tune into the entirety of their being and notice that things are always changing,” Sweet says. “We're always in a cycle, and when we lean from one side to the other, it helps to open up that awareness.”

This pose is similar to the low lunge except your back is slightly more arched as your arms reach above your head, toward the back of the mat.

Leo

Fan or cool your inner fire with these exercises, Leo.

Sun: Goddess pose (Utkata Konasana)

“This pose is fiery, but it’s also helping to create a humbled nature for a Leo sun that really is unapologetic and unafraid,” Sweet says. “It also helps bring the attention to the fire and heat within them, so they can see that their inner essence is so powerful.” To do this pose, start with your feet far apart on the mat, and then bend your knees until your thighs are parallel to the ground. Hold your arms out to the sides or in a prayer pose.

Moon: Cooling breath (Sheetali Pranayama)

To do this exercise, smile as you breathe in, and then exhale like you're blowing out of a straw. “It’s a really cooling breath, so it's going to help cool all of that passionate, fiery, emotional energy,” Sweet says.

Rising: Warrior II (Virabhadrasana II)

“This pose really embodies the creative energy of the Leo sign—this artistry and passion that Leo loves to lead with life,” Sweet says. “Warrior II is also mythologically, in yoga, a posture of action, of making a choice and then acting on it. I want Leo rising to have confidence and faith in their ability to choose and step forward.”

Similar to Warrior I, this pose involves taking a deep lunge, but instead of your hips facing toward the front of the mat, they are in line with your legs. Also, one arm is stretched out in front of you and the other behind, like the length of the mat.

Virgo

Take time to ground to the earth, as this is your primary element, Virgo.

Sun: Child’s pose (Balasana)

“This is a very safe and earthy pose,” Sweet says. “There's a part of the Virgo nature that tends toward anxiety because they are our healers and fixers. Virgo is devoted to helping everybody out and fixing everything. So when they take child's pose, it really helps them to turn that calm, steady energy within and soothe any feelings of anxiety.”

Try this pose by starting on your hands and knees, then slowly lowering your bum down to your feet until your chest is pressed against your legs and your forehead touches the mat.

Moon: Bumblebee breath (Bhramari Pranayama)

For this type of breathing, place your hands on the sides of your head, close your eyes, and make a humming sound three to five times through. “This is the best breathwork for calming an overactive mind,” Sweet says.

Rising: Eagle pose (Garudasana)

“Virgo loves detail—it loves to stay focused, and it loves to figure out a problem and fix it,” Sweet says. “Eagle pose is the posture of focus. It’s the posture of determination and of solving problems.” This pose is achieved by slightly bending both knees while standing, then crossing your legs and arms around each other and finding your balance.

Libra

Find balance as an air sign with these poses, Libra.

Sun: Scale pose (Tolasana)

“Libra is all about balance, so I chose this posture called Tolasana, which is scale pose,” Sweet says. “You're balancing one side of your body with another, and it's also extremely hard-core work. That’s so important for Libra because Libras don't love to make decisions. But when they really tune into their inner power, they make decisions that are beneficial for the group at large.”

This is an arm balance pose where you cross your legs in a seated position and then lift your bum in the air by pressing your hands into the mat beneath you.

Moon: Alternate nostril breathing (Nadi Shodhana)

“This creates such balance inside the body, and that's going to really help with that overactive Libra mind that sometimes could be weighing two sides, pros and cons, or this versus that,” Sweet says. “Alternate nostril breathing will help bring them back into focus.” To do this exercise, plug one nostril with your thumb while inhaling and then switch to plugging your other nostril with your middle or ring finger to exhale. Continue to switch until you find a rhythm.

Rising: Warrior III (Virabhadrasana III)

“Libra is a leader, and this Warrior III pose creates balance in the body, but also is a strong announcement that you’re here to start something, to lead something,” Sweet says. "Your balance and the ability to see both sides is your superpower.” Do this pose by lifting one leg directly behind you and leaning your chest forward until it's parallel to the ground, with your arms above your head.

Scorpio

As a water sign, you feel deeply, Scorpio. Unlock your emotions with these three postures.

Sun: Pigeon pose (Kapotasana)

“Scorpio feels so deep, and pigeon pose is going to help them get into their feelings—but it's also going to ask them to stay there,” Sweet says. “Scorpio is a water sign, but it's the most fiery water sign. Sometimes they feel so intensely that it's like a scorpion sting, so pigeon pose is going to help them drop into their feelings, but also sit with them and not be so quick to react.”

To do this pose, start on your hands and knees on the mat. Slide one leg in front of you in a bent position and stretch your back leg out long. Rest here or lower your head toward the mat, so you're folded on top of your bent leg.

Moon: Breath of fire 

Breath of fire is a Kundalini yoga exercise that involves taking short, sharp exhales, which can be very cleansing, Sweet explains. “Because Scorpio is such a deep feeler, breath of fire will help them release those feelings that might not be serving them anymore,” she says. Just know that this is a rapid, rhythmic breathing exercise that should be started in small increments (like 1 to 3 minutes) so you don't get lightheaded.

Rising: Bridge pose (Setu Bandha Sarvangasana)

“Bridge pose helps to send energy from your hips,” Sweet says. “You’re in a backbend in the hips, but this pose sends [energy] up to the heart, to help it get infused with all of this powerful healing energy. So hopefully the person that's practicing—the Scorpio rising—feels confident to move forward in their heart rather than just down in their feelings.”

Start by lying down with your feet firmly planted on the mat. Press into your feet and lift your bum off the mat until your hips are in line with your knees.

Sagittarius

As another fiery sign, these poses will feel great, Sagittarius.

Sun: Bow pose (Dhanurasana)

“Sagittarius is the archer, and they want to keep going—their goal post is always moving, and their purpose is always out there,” Sweet says. “Dhanurasa not only embodies that feeling of the archer, but also this bow pose on your stomach helps them slow down a little bit and stay present so they're not always just thinking about what's next.”

To do it, lie flat on your stomach and then lift your head and chest off the mat. Bend your knees, curl your feet up toward the sky, and if you can, reach your hands back to grab your ankles, forming a bow pose with your spine.

Moon: Bellows breath

Bellows breath is fairly simple: a big inhale through the nose and a big exhale out of the mouth. “It’s really invigorating, and helps to take that essence of fire that's always looking for the next thing and move it through the entire body,” Sweet says. A Sagittarius moon will end this breathwork feeling revitalized and full of life. Plus, “it's really supportive of their optimistic and positive attitude," she adds.

Rising: Tree pose (Vrikshasana)

“Sagittarius really represents this greater philosophy of life, like the tree of life, understanding that we all have come from one place, but there are thousands of branches moving off in different directions,” Sweet says. “Tree pose asks that Sagittarius rising be balanced and strong within themselves, but use their ability to see the bigger picture and spread through the upper body, like the limbs of a tree reaching up toward the sky.”

Find tree pose by standing firmly on your mat and placing one foot against your supporting inner thigh to form a triangle. While balancing, reach your arms up to the sky.

Capricorn

Feel the earth beneath you with these heart-pumping poses, Capricorn.

Sun: Yoga push-up (Chaturanga)

Capricorn is always trying to achieve, and Chaturanga will help them feel like they're working hard, but it's also going to ask them to slow down a little bit, Sweet explains. “When they have to hold that Chaturanga or they're moving through the transition of Chaturanga, they'll have to pay attention to the work they're doing and understand that this labor is for transformation,” she says. To do this pose, think about doing a regular push-up, but a little more slowly.

Moon: Ujjayi breathing (Ujjayi Pranayama)

For this exercise, you’ll breathe in through the nose and out through a closed mouth. “Ujjayi is the breath of victory,” Sweet says. “This is going to help Capricorn feel the respect that they so desire. A Capricorn moon doesn't want a huge parade or a huge congratulations, but they want the acknowledgement, so Ujjayi Pranayama will help them find that within themselves," she adds.

Rising: Chair pose (Utkatasana)

This pose stokes the fire that drives Capricorn to achieve. “Here, they get to look at how hard they’re working—because this pose is tough,” Sweet says. “They’ll think, ‘I’m here for a reason, I can hold this pose the longest, I’m here for a reason.'" To do chair pose, plant your feet firmly together on the mat and then bend your knees, as if you're sitting in an invisible chair. Shift your weight toward your heels as you extend your arms out in front of you.

Aquarius

Sometimes, it can be tough to focus inward as an air sign. But these poses will help you do so, Aquarius.

Sun: Head-to-knee forward bend (Janu Sirsasana)

“An Aquarius sun likes to be different and unique—it doesn't like to be put in a box. But it’s also always thinking about how to disrupt the system, how to innovate, and how to do something better,” Sweet says. “This pose turns the attention within and helps them see that in this posture, they are nourishing and nurturing themselves, not just thinking about the world at large.”

Do this pose by sitting on the mat with your legs straight out in front of you, and bending your forehead toward your knees. This posture is also known as a "forward fold."

Moon: Third eye breath

For this exercise, envision your breath moving into your body and going up to your third eye (i.e., between your eyebrows), then exhaling down to the tip of your tailbone. “This is going to help you stimulate that ability to innovate, to think differently, and to create systems and processes that are better for the world.”

Rising: Rabbit pose (Sasangasana)

“This is kind of a unique pose, but so is an Aquarius rising,” Sweet says. “It's going to help stimulate the crown chakra (i.e., at the top of the head) and the third eye chakra. This is considered the magic epicenter for Aquarius, which is seeing beyond what is, helping to support humanity at large, and creating ideas that help to move through the whole world.”

To do rabbit pose, start on your hands and knees and then lower the top of your head to the mat. Then, slowly reach your hands back to hold the outer edges of your feet or ankles.

Pisces

Try these postures to reconnect with your water element, Pisces.

Sun: Fish pose (Matsyasana)

Fish pose is sort of like a modified backbend, helping create a sense of presence in the body. This is important for Pisces because they are so empathetic and transcendent, which often means they can show up for any situation, according to Sweet. “Fish pose will help to stimulate and activate that heart center's empathy energy, but it also anchors you where you are and helps you feel present in your body.”

To do this posture, start by lying flat on your back with your legs out long. Prop up on your elbows and arch your back until the top of your head is touching the mat.

Moon: Balloon breath 

For balloon breath, take a slow inhale through your nose, then, like you're blowing up a balloon, blow out of your mouth. “Pisces moon is the biggest empath—it’s the sign that wants to heal the world and take care of everybody,” Sweet says. “But it can feel all over the place sometimes, so this breathing is going to help regulate their nervous system and expand their mind and heart.”

Rising: Easy pose (Sukhasana)

Easy pose is a form of meditation where you sit cross-legged with your hands resting on your knees. “Pisces need to meditate because their ability to envision, perceive the future, and be in tune with their intuition is beyond any other sign,” Sweet says. “The more they can practice settling their body and tuning into that meditative energy, the more they’ll optimize their gifts.”