Yoga for Stress!
Benefits of Yoga |
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Physiological |
Psychological |
Improves Sleep |
Boosts Optimism |
Releases Bodily Tension |
Dispels Anger & Frustration |
Releases Dopamine |
Encourages Healthy Lifestyle |
Lowers Cortisol |
Fosters Motivation |
Boosts Brain Health |
Improves Mental Clarity |
Lowers Blood Pressure |
Increase Self-Esteem |
Increases Serotonin |
Interrupts the Stress Cycle |
Relaxes Sympathetic Nervous System |
Regulates Emotions |
Regulates Adrenal glands |
Relieves Anxiety |
Releases Endorphins |
Relieves Depression |
Beneficial Yoga Postures |
|
Anxiety |
Depression |
Bound Angle Pose |
Corpse Pose |
Cat & Cow Pose |
Easy Pose |
Child’s Pose |
Legs Up Wall Pose |
Seated Forward Bend |
Cobra Pose |
Head to Knee Forward Bend |
Puppy Pose |
Bridge |
Dolphin Pose |
Eagle Pose |
Downward Facing Dog |
Downward Dog |
Reclining Bound Angle |
Triangle |
Upward Bow |
Extended Triangle |
Supported Shoulder Stand |
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To benefit from yoga, you should practice it with regularity. 2 to three days a week for at least 10 minutes to begin if you have never done yoga or haven’t done it for some time. Increase your practice time incrementally as the postures become easier to hold and your transitions become smoother. Start with simpler standing and sitting postures, working your way towards deeper twists and bends that broaden your range of motion, flexibility, and strength. When you first begin, your focus should be body awareness and breathing techniques, this alone will have a major impact on your emotional and mental wellbeing. The following beginner poses are arranged in order of intensity.
Even if you opt to go beyond home yoga and hire an instructor or attend classes, yoga is an activity that is low cost but high value. With consistency and dedication, yoga will help lower your physiological and psychological stress, helping break chronic cycles that influence anxiety and depression. As the saying goes amongst yoga practitioners, “when you own your breath, nothing can steal your peace”!