Stress relief

The Benefits of Yoga

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Below are just a few of the benefits Yoga has to offer:

  • Yoga has many benefits from healing ailments, lowering high blood pressure and cholesterol, reducing levels of sugar in the blood of diabetics and relieving stress and anxiety with controlled breathing and certain Asanas.
  • Yoga asanas can flush out toxins and speed up recovery after exercise. Athletes risk becoming injured, sick or burnout from too much training and not getting enough recovery. With a carefully control training plan and by incorporating Yoga sessions into your plan you can get stronger and cope better with the hard sessions, whilst recovering quicker for your next training session.
  • Yoga can also keep you younger for longer, by increasing your flexibility and strength. As you get older the muscle mass starts to decline. Bones can also become weaker but by practicing Yoga and other strength/load bearing exercises you can slow down the process.
  • Yoga lowers levels of the stress hormone cortisol, helping the body to destroy viruses and to helps the immune system fight off diseases.
  • Controlled breathing and certain Asanas can help to alleviate asthma and to give an energy boost to the body, it can help you to relax better so your sleep improves and you feel happier and more relaxed overall.

 

 

 

 

3 yoga poses for stress relief, relaxation and improved wellbeing

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Yoga heals the nervous system, reducing tension and anxiety. It calms the mind and loosens tight muscles, helping you to let go of any worries. If you learn to let go of your worries during a Yoga session you will learn to let go at other times also and with regular practice, you will feel calmer, more relaxed and happier over all.

Try these 3 yoga poses for stress relief, relaxation and improved wellbeing

Childs Pose

Childs pose relaxes and quietens the mind. It relieves stress, improves the central nervous system, reduces headaches, stretches the lower back, hips, thighs, ankles, shoulders and neck.

  • Kneel on your hands and knees then release your hands and knees to the floor keeping your knees hip width apart.
  • Exhale and slowly lower your buttocks to the floor .
  • Lengthen the back of your neck and slowly rest your forehead on the floor. Either stay with your hands reached out overhead or gently place them by your thighs with the palms facing up.
  • Take take several slow breaths and relax, holding the position for up to 2 minutes.

Downward Facing Dog

This Downward Facing dog pose helps to the reduce stress fast, energising and reducing tiredness by improving the blood circulation to the whole body. It can relieve headaches, neck and shoulder tension and also helps to strength bones and muscles.

  • Kneel on your hands and knees then slowly push your hips up by straightening your knees and elbows so your body forms a V shape. Take a few deep breaths and hold the pose for as long as you feel comfortable building up to up to 2 minutes.

Triangle Pose

The Triangle pose helps to reduce stress, anxiety, depression and tiredness whilst toning and stretching the whole body. It will also improve digestion, help to reduce body fat by improving the metabolism, increase bone density and improve balance.

  • Standing upright, extend your right foot out to the side about 4 feet in width with your foot facing out to 90 degrees.
  • Bend down to the right side whist exhaling and hold your right ankle or calf (you can place your hand on a block just behind your foot if easier).
  • Inhale and lift the left hand over your head, keeping it straight.
  • Hold this position for unto 1 minute, then repeat on the other side.

Photo’s courtesy of PIXABAY