Yoga And Stress Relief: Take A Deep Breath!

muscles and rapid breath. Headache and stomachthe head reach toward the sky. Ground your feet
ache. Difficulty sleeping, depression and irritability. Alldownwards as you find stillness in your body.
symptoms of the great modern complaint: stress. How5. Begin to deepen your breathing, allowing the breath
can we relieve stress and make our bodies and mindsto circulate lower and lower into your belly. Keep your
less susceptible to its ravages in the future? More andshoulders relaxed by rolling your shoulder blades down
more people are turning to yoga, an age old method ofthe back.
balancing mind and body.6. Now begin to even out the lengths of inhales and
Yoga uses a combination of mental activity, physicalexhales to come to a smooth rhythmic breath. First,
activity, stillness, meditation and breathing exercises toinhale a breath through the nose, filling up the lungs
balance and detoxify the body and mind. The physicalwhile slowly counting to five, then exhale through the
activity is composed of positions known as asanas.nose, emptying the lungs to another count of five.
Different asanas have benefits for different systems7. Continue to inhale and exhale through the nose,
of the body. For instance, asanas commonly referredlengthening the the inhales and exhales until your
to as twists are excellent for detoxification andbreathing is at a slow, comfortable pace. This is the
regulation of the digestion and lymphatic system.even, calm breathing that you should use during a
Poses where the heart is above the head, known asbeginning yoga practice. It can also be used by itself as
inverted poses, are said to “turn back thea breathing exercise to increase mental equanimity
clock” and stimulate the circulatory andand focus.
glandular systems.With the physical benefits of yoga come mental
Pranayama is the name for yoga breathing practicesbenefits. At the least, the combination of physical
and range from very simple awareness of breathactivity and concentration on yoga breathing practices
exercises to changing of breath patterns for specificallows you to stop your mind from racing and gives
health benefits. They can have a profound impact onyou a break from the distractions of the world.
mental and physical health and can be practicedImprovement in overall mood and energy levels are
anywhere and at any time! Don’t believe me?also often reported with the continuing practice of
Try this quick breathing exercise while sitting in theyoga.
chair at your computer:Eventually, the goal of the asanas is to create health
1. Uncross your legs and place the soles of your feetand balance throughout all of the systems of the body,
flat on the floor.leaving the mind free to find peace and balance
2. If you are feeling that your energy levels are low,without the interruption of pain or discomfort. In fact,
rest your hands with the palms up on your thighs; forpossibly the most important health benefits of yoga
stress relief and grounding, rest your hands palmscan be found in the last yoga pose in any yoga
down.sequence—savasana. As you lay down in
3. Start by taking notice of the natural movement ofstillness, savasana allows your body to incorporate all
your breath as you inhale and exhale. Spend oneof the benefits of your yoga practice. Yoga can be
minute breathing in and out slowly. Feel the inflation ofincorporated into daily life, using a combination of
your chest and belly as you observe your breathing.breathing techniques and asana sequences. Even a
4. Now gently release the muscles in the back of yourten minute yoga exercise can bring mental focus and
neck and tuck in your chin slightly. Feel the crown ofcalmness to your life.