Yoga has a proven calming affect; it lowers blood pressure as well as relieves anything from chronic back pain to anxiety and depression. Because of this, many people use yoga as a natural, free remedy for Stress. It also has the added benefit that it can be carried out anywhere and everywhere!
If you are a beginner, try out the following yoga poses to decrease your stress levels:
1) Childs pose – this resting posture quiets the mind, thus easing stress. It also heightens the nervous and lymphatic system.
Here is how you can do this pose:
– Kneel with your legs together, with your bum leaning on your heels.
– Lean forward with your forehead touching the yoga mat and your chest on your thighs
– Curl your shoulders forward and let your hands rest wherever they feel most comfortable but it’s most beneficial to let them rest palms up next to your feet.
– Hold for 5 minutes
2) Standing forward bend – this yoga pose gives your hamstrings, thighs and hips a good stretch. It has also been thought to help to decrease stress levels, fatigue and mild depression.
Here is how you can do this pose:
– Stand tall, slowly exhale and bend forward, bending your knees enough so that your palms lay flat on the floor with your head pressed against your legs
– Then straighten your legs to deepen the stretch
– Hold this for 6 breaths
3) Corpse pose – this yoga pose enforces us to relax by putting our bodies at ease. It is also said to trigger a state of deep rest and relaxation, slowing breathing, lowering blood pressure and quietening the nervous system.
Here is how you can do this pose:
– Lie flat on your back with your legs together but not touching, with your arms at your side and your palms up
– Close your eyes and breathe deeply, scanning your body and really try to pay attention to what your body is telling you, from head to toe
– Hold his pose for 4 minutes
