[ Pose Guide]
Yoga, the ancient philosophy and practice of health and well-being, addresses all dimensions of the human system: body, breath, mind, personality, emotions. But yoga is particularly helpful for stress relief as it encourages an increase in mindfulness and self-compassion through controlled breathing, meditation, mental imagery, and a series of stretching poses or asanas.
Symptoms of stress
Sweaty palms, heart racing, millions of thoughts speeding through your head? All these and more are signs of stress and anxiety. Stress can wreak havoc on your well-being—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
We all struggle with stress, especially with the ills we face in modern living. Many people deal with stress by exercising or other less beneficial methods while others try to ignore their feelings, allowing them to build up and affect their health.
1. Easy Pose (Sukhasana) with optional Forward Fold
A simple pose for both beginner and intermediate yogis—Easy Pose or Sukhasana is an uncomplicated therapeutic pose which calms the mind and reduces stress and anxiety.
Sukhasana stretches:
Your lower body areas such as your knees, ankles, hips, groin, and outer thighs.
Adding the forward bend helps increase the exhale, leading to the relaxation response.
2. Standing Forward Fold Pose (Uttanasana)
Uttanasana has many benefits which include quieting a busy mind, promoting calmness, and balancing the nervous system. It’s also mostly used as a transition between poses.
Uttanasana stretches:
Your hamstrings, calves, hips, and back.
3. Child’s Pose (Balasana)
Child’s pose is perfect for quieting a busy mind and soothing the adrenals. When we stress excessively, we put pressure on our adrenal glands (located above the kidneys). This can lead to burnout.
This pose allows you to embrace your inner child, hence the name Child’s Pose.
Balasana stretches:
Your back, hips, thighs, and ankles.
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