Everyone from our Prime Minister to the Sunday binge-ing Shilpa Shetty has been promoting the ancient practice of yoga. Most people believe that yoga is beneficial for improving your physical strength only. There is very little spoken about how amazing yoga is as a form of relaxation and stress relief. Yoga for relaxation involves a systematic combination of yoga poses with yoga breathing exercises that help the body slow down and rejuvenate after a long tiring day.
5 Calming Yoga Asanas For Stress Relief & Relaxation
Here are some simple asanas which make yoga for relaxation enjoyable and attainable.
1. Balasana (Child’s Pose)
This yoga pose does a great deal of good for your upper body (shoulders, back and arms) as well as your lower body (thighs and hips). Staying in this pose gives your body a gentle stretch while stabilizing your breathing and calming your mind. This yoga for mind relaxation pose is best practiced on an empty stomach.
How To Perform:
- Kneel down on your mat keeping your legs together.
- Bend forward so that your chest touches your thighs.
- Place your hands in the front or by the sides.
- Hold this yoga for mind relaxation pose for 1-3 minutes to experience stress and anxiety relief.
2. Ananda Balasana (Happy Baby Pose)
As the name suggests, the happy baby pose is one of the best ways of using yoga for stress relief as it makes you feel happy and stress-free. This simple asana can help you feel happier, sleep better and fight fatigue.
How To Perform:
- Lie down flat on the back.
- Bend your knees towards your stomach.
- Extend your arms and hold your toes with your fingers.
- Hold the asana for at least one minute.
3. Viparita Karani (Leg Up The Wall Pose)
This pose is recommended especially for people with mild pain or swollen legs. This inverted asana improves blood circulation in the body and makes one feel relaxed and refreshed. This pose is best done early in the morning, on an empty stomach. This pose can sound tricky as relaxation yoga for beginners as it requires some amount of practice before they can perform this asana perfectly.
How To Perform:
- Lie down on your back with your hands on the sides of the body.
- Slowly raise your legs at an angle and move towards the wall.
- As you inhale, raise your legs at a 90-degree angle. Use the wall for support as you do so.
- Lift up your buttocks with the help of your hands.
- Maintain the position with your buttocks and legs touching the wall at all times.
- Start by holding the pose for 30-60 seconds in the beginning and gradually move on to 3-4 minutes.
4. Savasana (Corpse Pose)
Many people think that Savasana is simply the act of lying down on a yoga mat. In reality, this is a great way of practising yoga for a calm mind and body. The act of laying immobile like a dead body along with controlled yoga breathing exercises helps to clear the mind, become aware of all the body parts and improve blood circulation and concentration.
How To Perform:
- Lie down flat on your back.
- Place your hands by the side of your body.
- Keep your feet as wide as the mat.
- Ensure that the head, neck and spine are in one straight line.
- Close your eyes and surrender to the mat.
- Inhale and exhale slowly, while shifting awareness amongst all the parts of your body.
- Stay in the pose anywhere between 5-7 minutes.
5. Ustrasana (Camel Pose)
The camel pose is a great way to use yoga for a calm mind, emotional stability, improved concentration and chakra healing. This pose is also great for the spinal health of an individual. A few minutes of this pose at the end of the day can instantly relax your nerves and help you feel refreshed and energized.
How To Perform:
- Kneel down on your mat with your hands on your waist.
- Keep your knees a few feet apart.
- Slowly bend backwards and place your palms on your ankles.
- Look up and hold the pose for 2-3 minutes.
- If you are unable to touch your palms to your ankles, you can start by placing your hands on your waist and bending backwards. With a little practice each day, you should be able to perform this yoga for stress relief pose effectively.
Stress and fatigue have become synonymous with adult life and the anxiety associated with the pandemic makes things worse. While regular spa and massage sessions are an option to rejuvenate and relax, there is a pressing need to find something which can instantly lift up your mood and make you feel calm. Yoga breathing exercises accompanied by simple yoga for stress relief asanas is the easiest way to regain your lost strength, focus and enthusiasm. Performing yoga each day can play a pivotal role in ensuring a healthy body and a happy mind!