5 Yoga Poses for Stress Relief
Stress is a part of our daily lives, but it doesn’t have to control your life. Yoga can be an effective way to reduce stress and improve health. Research shows that regular yoga practice can lower blood pressure, improve sleep quality, and decrease fatigue.
The Benefits of Daily Yoga Practice: https://movingintomeditation.com/the-benefits-of-daily-yoga-practice/
Getting started with yoga isn’t always easy, though. Not only do you need space for your mat (or towel), but you should also find a quiet place with minimal distractions so that your mind can focus solely on breathing and movement.
Here are five poses that we recommend trying when you’re feeling stressed out—they’ll help relieve stress while calming down an overactive mind.
I. Downward Dog Pose (Adho Mukha Svanasana)
Downward dog is a great pose for beginners and those who want to work on their flexibility. The pose helps to stretch the back, hamstrings, calves, and arms. It also improves balance and strength in the arms.
How to do the pose:
- Downward dog is done by placing your hands flat on the floor with your palms facing down.
- Feet are hip-width apart or wider, depending on what’s comfortable for you.
- Toes should point straight ahead or be slightly turned outward if that feels better for your body type.
- Walk them back until they’re about 2 inches from an imaginary line drawn between your shoulders (this will help keep your hips level).
- Press into all four corners of each foot—both sides of each heel as well as both inner arches—and draw energy up through each leg into the core muscles at the center front of the body; don’t let knees splay out beyond alignment with the outer edges of the feet!
II. Child’s Pose (Balasana)
Child’s Pose is an excellent technique to unwind both your body and mind. It can be done at any time of day, but it’s especially helpful if you’re feeling tense or exhausted after work or school.
How to do the pose:
- Kneel on a cushion or blanket with your knees apart, feet beneath your hips, and toes tucked in toward each other.
- Lower yourself down onto your forearms with your forehead resting on the mat if you can comfortably reach it; otherwise, place your hands palm-down next to your hips with elbows bent at 90 degrees.
- Inhale deeply as you lift your chest off the floor by extending your arms behind your head (but don’t straighten your elbows).
- As you exhale fully into child’s pose, press your thighs into the floor while keeping your lower back flat against the ground—this will help decompress your spine while stretching your hamstrings and calves at the same time!
- Hold for 30 seconds up to 5 minutes, depending on how much time has passed since the last yoga session.
III. Seated Spinal Twist (Marichyasana)
A seated spinal twist is a deeply relaxing pose, and it’s especially good for stretching out your back.
How to do the pose:
- Sit on the floor with your legs straight in front of you and your feet pointing up toward the ceiling.
- Bend at the waist to place one hand on each knee; rest the head on the hands if desired.
- Take a deep breath in; as you exhale, slowly twist from side to side while keeping your spine straight (not arched).
- Stay here for several breaths before reversing direction and twisting in the other direction on another exhalation.
- Repeat this sequence until you feel loose enough that any remaining tension can be released through movement rather than holding still!
IV. Bridge Pose (Setu Bandha Sarvangasana)
Bridge Pose is a great pose to stretch your hips, spine, and shoulders. It can also help relieve lower back pain and fatigue. This pose will help you feel less stressed out by increasing circulation in the body, which in turn helps oxygenate the brain so that you’re able to think more clearly and concentrate better.
How to do this pose:
- Lie down on your back, knees bent, feet flat on the floor, and arms by your sides.
- Exhale as you gently lower yourself to the floor by straightening out your arms and lifting them off the ground.
V. Chair Pose (Utkatasana)
Chair Pose is a great way to stretch the hips and lower back.
How to do this pose:
- Stand with your feet hip-width apart.
- Bring your arms to the sides of your body, parallel to the floor.
- Inhale and lift your arms up above shoulder height as you exhale and bend forward at the hips, keeping your back straight.
- Hold for 5 breaths before slowly returning to the standing position on an exhalation.
Yoga is a great way to get rid of stress.
It’s also good for your body and mind, so it’s important to practice regularly. Stress can be bad for your health and make you feel tired, depressed, and irritable. If you’re feeling stressed out, try some of these yoga poses that are known for their ability to help relieve tension and calm the mind!
You might also like this! https://movingintomeditation.com/how-yoga-can-improve-your-sleep/
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