The holidays can be an extremely stressful time party, travel plans and family demands can put your nerves on edge. Luckily, yoga poses are a great way to soothe your anxiety and get you through the holiday season feeling calm and collected. In this blog post we’ll explore 6 simple yet effective yoga poses that you can do to reduce stress levels, bring clarity of mind and find balance no matter what life throws at you during the festive period. So read on as we dive into these powerful postures to help keep your holiday spirit alive.
Child’s pose – this Yoga Poses will help you to relax and focus your mind
Child’s Pose is a calming and de-stressing pose that can be used to center your energy and focus the mind. It involves kneeling on the floor and then slowly lowering your torso onto your legs, with arms outstretched. While in this pose, make sure to keep your back straight and engage your core so that you don’t become uncomfortable or strain any muscles. Feel free to add variations such as stretching one arm up towards the ceiling or wrapping both hands around one of your feet for a fuller range of motion. Taking some moments in Child’s Pose can help to reconnect with yourself, enabling you to enter into any activity relaxed and focused from within.
The downward-facing dog – this energizing pose can help to dispel feelings of anxiety or stress
Downward-facing dog is an energizing yoga pose that can be a beneficial tool to counter anxiety and stress. This pose engages the mind, and body and breathes while stretching muscles throughout the entire body. It strengthens the arms, and stretches the shoulders, back, and hamstrings, creating a balanced experience. Downward-facing dog is an energizing pose that can be used within any yoga practice to help dispel feelings of stress and anxiety while improving overall physical strength and flexibility.
Camel pose – stretch out your body and open up your chest with this backbend
Camel pose is an energizing posture in the practice of yoga focusing on stretching the whole body while easing tension and opening up the chest. It is a moderate-level backbend and should be approached with caution to avoid straining your neck and spine. The benefits of practicing this posture regularly include improved spinal flexibility, strengthen back muscles, improved digestion, relief from menstrual discomfort, and alleviation of anxiety. Getting into Camel Pose requires you to come onto your knees with your feet hip distance apart. As you arch your spine backward you will bring your hands to rest on your ankles or heels before gently pushing deeper into the pose if it is comfortable for you to do so. This pose can be challenging but it will leave feeling strengthened yet relaxed, both physically and mentally. So why not give Camel Pose a try today?
Supported bridge pose – relieve tension in your neck and upper back with this gentle stretch
The supported bridge pose is one of the most gentle, effective yoga poses for relieving tension in your neck and upper back. It’s ideal for those with aching necks, stiff shoulders, and poor posture. To perform this pose, begin by lying on your back with bent knees, and feet flat on the floor. Slowly lift your hips up so that your body forms one straight line from your head to your feet. Place pillows or folded blankets under the very end of your spine to support the bridge position while you relax into it. Arms should be comfortable at each side of your body, palms facing down. Remain in this pose for 5-15 minutes and experience the tension dispersing in your neck and upper back as you breathe deeply into this position. Finish the pose by slowly lowering yourself to the ground before taking a few moments to reflect upon the benefits of a supported bridge pose.
Seated forward fold – release built-up tension in your hips, thighs, and lower back with this calming posture
Seated forward fold is a great yoga pose to practice when trying to release built-up tension in the hips, thighs, and lower back. Start seated with your legs together and both feet flat on the ground. Once you feel grounded, begin to slowly round forward until your chest reaches your legs and your forehead touches the floor in front of you. Release any further tension by relaxing your shoulders down towards the ground; this will also help to open up your back more comfortably. Hold this position for several breaths and focus on allowing yourself to relax into it each time you inhale and exhale. Seated forward fold can be an incredibly calming posture that helps alleviate stress from the physical body.
Corpse pose – take a few minutes to completely relax and let go of all the stresses of the day
The corpse pose is one of the most popular yoga poses for finding a moment of stillness and relaxation. In the Corpse pose, known as Sava Sana in Sanskrit, you lay down on your back with your eyes closed and relax each muscle and joint in your body, allowing all the mental stress of the day to slowly melt away. Taking a few minutes out of your busy schedule to offer this pause can help you find peace and balance. You may be surprised how calming it can be just by lying still and doing nothing while focusing on your breath. If you need extra support during this practice, consider elevating your legs with cushions or adding an eye pillow to further unwind tightness in the face and neck. Try incorporating Corpse Pose into your daily routine for an invaluable opportunity to unplug from work demands and self-imposed worries.
Conclusion
Yoga poses offer numerous physical and mental benefits to help you reach your desired goals. Once you understand the basics, you can practice your poses alone or with a group to experience helpful results. While there may be challenges along the way, don’t be discouraged – regularly trained poses will bring flexibility and positive effects on your overall health. Remember that the key to long-term progress is consistency and effort. It takes time and dedication to master the art of yoga poses, but the rewards are well worth it in the end.
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