Does Yoga Actually Reduce Stress?

Would you like to experience more joy and pleasureunder pressure, stress symptoms tend to affect your
at work? To feel healthier, have a stronger and moreweak spot.
youthful looking body?The physical symptoms of stress include, chest pains,
The word stress means different things to differentinsomnia, tiredness, indigestion and headaches. The
peoplemental signs which occur most frequently when you
Simply put, stress is reacting negatively to perceivedare under pressure include irritability and short temper,
unpleasant thing in your life. The word "stress" meansdifficulty to concentrate, inability to switch off and relax,
different things to different people.you feel drained, exhausted and generally lack energy.
People use the word 'stress' to describe how they feelBenefits of Yoga
when they struggle to cope with all the demandsYoga offers you a holistic approach to dealing with
placed on them. Learning to cope with and manageconstant worry. Yoga practices enables you to:
pressure empowers you to have a stress free and1. Stretch and release tension and pain in your body
relaxed lifestyle The American Medical Associationthrough easy yoga exercises.
stated that stress was the cause of 80 to 85 percent2. Still and focus your mind through basic breathing
of all human illness and disease.exercises (known as pranayama in yoga)
Furthermore, every week 95 million Americans suffer3. Stay calm and release anxiety and worry through
some kind of stress related symptom for which theyguided meditation practices.
take medicationAs a yoga teacher, many of my students say yoga
Stress-free Yoga Tip: Learning to recognize stressenables them to relax and unwind. Some doctors
and anxiety in your life helps you feel more in controlactively encourage patients to start yoga as a
and on-top of things.preventative measure.
Yoga offers stressed individuals a chance to pauseThe beauty of yoga is that you can stretch and relax
and to take stock of their life. When you feel stressedyour body anytime you feel pressure building up. Yoga
it is difficult for you to recognise and reduce theencourages you to be aware of what is going on
negative effects of worry. How many times haveinside your body. The more you practice, the easier it
your work colleagues invited you for a drink afterbecomes for you to be aware when you are off
work yet, due to pressing work commitments you-center and out of balance.
have felt unable to go?If you are feeling under pressure, anxious and worried
When you are stressed it is hard for you to slow- take a moment to pause, to sit down, relax your
down. Life feels like you are living on a roller coaster.shoulders, soften your gaze and take a long steady
Every second of your day is precious and you fearbreathe in and slowly exhale. Practice this 3-5 times
stopping....just in case you fall off.and observe what difference it makes to how you
Symptoms of Stressfeel. I am sure you will feel calmer, less stressed and
Constantly living your life in the fast lane has aenergised.
detrimental effect on your physical, emotional andHave a go and let me know how you get on.
spiritual well-being. Everyone is different and when