Yoga’s myriad benefits have caught the attention of many. Did you know practicing yoga regularly can help minimize stress? Yoga includes physical postures, breathing, meditation, and relaxation techniques. Keep reading to learn more about yoga’s stress-relieving properties and how you can benefit from it.
Child’s Pose (Balasana)
Balasana (Child’s Pose) is an excellent yoga pose for relieving tension, exhaustion, and physical pain in the back and hips. The main reason that Child’s Pose is so calming is that it stretches the muscles on the posterior of your body—the ones that tend to get tense the most easily. Even though the source of your anxiety or tension is in your mind, you may be suffering bodily symptoms as a result. To help you relax and release some of the tightness and tension, try this restorative position.
Seated Forward Bend (Paschimottanasana)
In this position, your entire body relaxes, from your brain to your legs. This forward bend is a great way to relieve tension in your body and mind. If it’s tough to touch your toes, you can alter this pose by adding a strap.
Corpse Pose (Savasana)
With the Corpse Pose, you reach the pinnacle of relaxation. This posture allows you to let go of physical and emotional tension throughout your body. You’ll soothe your mind and focus just on your breath.
Legs-Up-the-Wall Pose (Viparita Karani)
As soon as you get into this position, you’ll feel a sense of serenity wash over you. This pose is excellent for releasing the tension, reducing stress, and promoting relaxation. If you’re looking to unwind before going to bed, try this pose to help you sleep as soundly as a baby.
Easy Pose (Sukhasana)
Easy Pose is a popular meditation pose. In addition to creating a sense of inner peace, this pose also activates the body’s relaxation response (the parasympathetic nervous system) while concurrently deactivating the stress reaction (the sympathetic nervous system). Add a bolster or cushion under your seat to ground your hips, according to yoga teacher Ingrid Sturgis. Focus on your breath while in this stance. Sturgis suggests breathing in for four counts and out for six counts.1
Pranayama
This isn’t a yoga pose so much as it is a breathing exercise, but pranayama (yogic breathing) teaches you to relax, regulate your breath, and breathe deeply. This relieves stress and relaxes the body. Breathing exercises can also improve sleep and promote mindfulness.2
The Final Verdict: The Opinion of Science on Yoga
We get you, you’re probably curious about what science-backed evidence there is regarding yoga. Well, we’re here to spill the beans.
Interestingly, yoga’s stress-relieving properties are well-documented. A 2018 study found that women who did Hatha yoga 3 times a week for 4 weeks felt better. After 12 sessions, they felt less stressed, depressed, and anxious.
Yoga stretches have been shown to lower cortisol levels and increase parasympathetic nerve activity, which promotes relaxation, in a small 2020 study of adult men.3
We hope you enjoyed reading this blog post and don’t forget to share your favourite yoga poses down below in the comments!