“Within you, there is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time and be yourself.” —Hermann Hesse
What does Stress look like to you? For some, it’s having your phone ringing, your kids crying, and dinner boiling over on the stove. For others its the commute to work, the pressure of your job, or the never-ending to do list. With the arrival of 2020 and COVID-19, stress also looked like: living through a pandemic, trying to find a balance and maintain your sanity, transitioning to work from home, and trying to find some form of calm in the midst of your new home/workspace/daycare/homeschool.
In addition, you could no longer visit your favorite Yoga studio, or see your friends for a drink or a dinner party. You could no longer visit your favorite resort in Costa Rica. 😉
Many of us had to adapt to new stress relieving techniques to maintain sanity and inner peace in a time where we needed it more than ever. Even now, over a year into the pandemic, we are still evolving and adapting daily. How can you relieve stress, find calmness and center yourself? Our favorite way (inside and out) is to practice yoga.
Why yoga?
The Health Benefits of Yoga
The potential health benefits of yoga include:
- Stress reduction. A number of studies have shown that yoga help reduce stress and anxiety. Yoga can enhance your mood and improve your mindset, as well as decreasing anxiety.
- Improved fitness. Practicing yoga leads to improved balance, flexibility, range of motion and strength, as well as healthy weight loss if that is your goal.
- Management of chronic conditions. Yoga can help reduce risk factors for chronic diseases, such as heart disease and high blood pressure. Yoga may also help manage low back pain, neck pain and menopause symptoms. Yoga might also help relieve symptoms of several chronic conditions, such as pain, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, arthritis and insomnia.
Some poses we would start with? Here are 3 of our favorites!
#1 Marjaryasana: Cat Pose
Instructions:
Get on all fours (hands and knees). Make sure your knees are above your ankles, and your shoulders are above your wrists. As you exhale, draw your belly to your spine and raise your back towards the ceiling. Slowly release the crown of your head towards the floor.
Why is it a Great Yoga Pose for Stress Relief?
- This yoga pose soothes and stretches your lower back
- It relieves stress
- It’s a great way to lubricate your spine and release tension
Yoga Pose #2 Bitilasana: Cow Pose
Generally, cat and cow pose is performed simultaneously.
Instructions:
Get on all fours and inhale to curve your belly downwards (towards the floor). Now stretch your chin and chest by looking upward.
Why is it a Great Yoga Pose for Stress Relief?
- It is a warming yoga pose for your spine
- This yoga pose triggers your natural relaxation response and helps your mind stay calm
- It also helps in creating an emotional balance by massaging organs
Yoga Pose #3 Balasana: Child’s Pose
Honestly, one of our favorites.
Instructions:
Kneel on your yoga mat with your legs together. Sit back on your heels. Bend forward towards the ground with your chest touching your thighs and forehead touching the ground. You can also keep your toes together and open your knees wide so you lay in-between your knees. Also feel free to grab a pillow or bolster and stretch out over top of the pillow. Let your hands rest by your side.
Why is it a Great Yoga Pose for Stress Relief?
- It is a resting posture that quiets the brain and reduces stress
- It also benefits our lymphatic and nervous system
- It reduces anxiety
Have you tried Yoga for Stress Relief?
