Yoga for Relaxation

This is a brief introduction to a little of what yoga can offer. We strongly recommend you seek out a yoga teacher in your local area to gain a greater insight.

Yoga can be a wonderful antidote to our stressful lives.  The deep breathing, stretching, and relaxation techniques not only help release tension in the body, but can also quiet a busy mind.

Many people spend much of their busy day in stress overload, with the ‘fight-or-flight’ or ‘stress response’ chronically aroused.  This can cause exhaustion, depression, as well as numerous stress-related physical complaints.  Taking up yoga can help redress the balance, by instead, engaging the parasympathetic (quietening) nervous system which produces the ‘relaxation response’. 

First-time yoga students often comment that they experience the best sleep in years after starting yoga.  Once they have been attending class for a while, they may also notice that they are coping better with, and responding more appropriately to, those daily stress-triggers.   

Here are two simple yoga practices to help relax your body and mind. 

1. ‘Legs up the Wall’ Pose 
In this passive inversion, you can’t help but relax as it nourishes the nervous system and rejuvenates the circulation. Sit side on to a wall and then flip the legs up the wall to lie on your back.  Shuffle your bottom in as close as possible to the wall. Have your arms to the side or bent up overhead. Close your eyes and stay here for anywhere between 2 – 15 minutes.  Breathe deeply and slowly.  Learn more at http://www.yogisource.com/ydc/enlighten/enlighten_document.asp?ID=453&section=9&cat=125 on how to do this pose, Viparita Karani.

2. ‘Alternate Nostril’ Breath
I’ve coached corporate groups in this breathing technique, and after just a few rounds, people appear so much more relaxed and calm.  It’s a great, quick-fix way to centre yourself at any time when you are feeling anxious – before that job interview, or difficult meeting, for example! 

Sit up tall in a comfortable position on the floor or in a chair.  Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths.  Then place the index and middle fingers of your right hand at the point between the two eyebrows.  Close the right nostril with the thumb and take a slow, gentle breath in through the left nostril, then close the left nostril with the ring finger and exhale without force through the right nostril.  Inhale again through the right nostril, and then, closing the right nostril and opening the left nostril, exhale.  That’s one round.  Complete 5 – 15 rounds in your own time. When finished, lower your hand to your lap and breathe naturally for a few cycles before opening your eyes, and easing back into your day

Once you’ve tried and felt the benefits of these two simple practices, why not search our directory of yoga teachers to find a local class, so you can look forward to a tranquil, new you! 

Many thanks to author Ana Davis. This article was first published on this site: http://www.ayl.com.au/magazine.html .  Ana Davis is an Australian writer and yoga teacher at Byron Yoga Centre - http://www.byronyoga.com  .

Copyright Ana Davis – ana@byronyoga.com
All rights Reserved by author