With all the stress and anxiety we experience in our day-to-day lives, it’s no wonder that so many people turn to yoga to calm themselves down. Yoga combines physical exercise with deep breathing, visualization, and relaxation techniques to help manage stress and anxiety, not to mention improve your overall health and well-being! Check out these seven yoga poses designed specifically to reduce anxiety and relieve stress!
1) The Child’s Pose(Balasana)
The child’s pose is a calming posture, which means it’s an excellent way to counterbalance an energy boost or even mitigate stress. To do it, sit on your heels and sit back, letting your body rest on your thighs and torso. Next, bring your forehead down toward the floor so that it touches or almost touches it (depending on flexibility). Place your arms at 90 degrees from each other and rest them on either side of you with palms facing upward.
2) Standing Forward Bend(Uttanasana)
Stand tall with your feet hip-distance apart and arms hanging at your sides. Keeping your back straight, exhale as you bend forward from your hips, folding yourself over your legs. Reach for your toes or grab hold of opposite elbows to deepen the stretch. Hold for five deep breaths before releasing. This calming posture can be done anywhere and is particularly good for winding down after a long day at work or school.
3) Seated Twist(Ardha Matsyendrasana)
Seated twists are particularly helpful for unwinding tight shoulders and upper back, according to Seated twists are particularly helpful unwinding tight shoulders and upper back, according to Yoga Journal. By releasing tension in these areas, you may be able to experience some relief from anxiety. Sit tall on your mat with both legs stretched out in front of you. Bend your right knee and place your foot on top of your left thigh just above your knee. Place both hands behind you and grab hold of your right ankle or calf.
4) Lunge(Anjaneyasana)
A forward bend in which you hinge at your hips and fold over your legs, placing your hands on either side of your ankles or shins. This stretch helps relieve stress, anxiety, headaches, and insomnia. Feel free to grab a block or blanket if you need support!
5) Bridge Pose(Setu Bandha Sarvangasana)
Begin by kneeling on your mat with your hips lifted and knees spread apart. Reach back with your arms and fold forward, reaching as far as you can while maintaining a long spine. Push your hips up into bridge pose; if you need more stretch, walk them back towards your feet. Keep an eye on making sure your heels are grounded and flat on the mat. Take 5 breaths here. To come out of the bridge pose, slowly roll yourself down one vertebra at a time until you’re back in the child’s pose. Repeat 3 times or for 20 seconds each time.
6) Fish Pose(Matsyasana)
This pose will help you release tension from your back, neck, and shoulders. It also stimulates your thyroid and parathyroid, which are responsible for regulating your metabolism. Fish Pose is a restorative pose that’s particularly effective at relieving stress and anxiety while soothing nervous energy. By taking deep breaths while in Fish Pose, you can increase circulation through your body and ease anxiety symptoms like rapid heart rate and high blood pressure.
7) Corpse Pose (Shavasana)
The corpse pose is one of my favorite poses because it’s a simple way to wind down and release all of your stress, anxiety, and tension after a long day. The good news about yoga is that you don’t have to be an expert or even fit to reap these benefits. Even if you find yourself stiff and unable to touch your toes when you begin the yoga practice, in time these benefits will come! Just take things slow and focus on taking deep breaths while holding each pose for at least 10 breaths.
Many people shy away from yoga because they think it’s going to be too difficult for them. Don’t worry! It’s never too late to start practicing, even if you aren’t very flexible or don’t have much experience in fitness. With a few tips and some patience, you can get started today and reap all of its benefits right away.
Namasthe!!
MOHA IMPEX
Keep up the good work.