How To Use Yoga For Stress Relief
One of the most effective forms of stress relief is to learn proper relaxation techniques. There are many of these techniques to choose from but one of the most common is yoga. According to Yogic principles, it can ease physical and mental tension, it helps to rejuvenate the nervous system and it can help to bring about inner peace.
One of the keys to yoga is that it's essential that you let go of stress because a relaxed mind and body are necessary for a long, healthy life. Once the tension in your muscles is gone, your body will conserve the energy it's producing.
If you are coping with anxiety and stress, however, your body constantly uses that energy to combat the stress, even while you're sleeping. This is harmful because when that energy is used up dealing with stress, your body doesn't have the necessary resources to deal with everyday situations and tasks. An overworked body is unable to perform consistently and loses its efficiency.
There are three levels of relaxation to yoga - physical, mental and spiritual. A perfect state of relaxation is only possible when you have reached the level of spiritural relaxation, however this is the most difficult to achieve and often takes a lifetime of meditation to really comprehend.
Physical relaxation starts with the popular Savasana posture, also known as the "corpse posture". You lie on your back with your arms and feet slightly apart and your eyes partially open in a dimly lit spot. Once you clear all thoughts from your mind, you begin the relaxation process.
With the aid of a soothing voice, or even alone, you gradually let a sense of lightness wash over your body, beginning at your toes and moving up towards your head. This is a great way to release the tensions caused by stress, and only takes a few minutes once you get the hang of it.
Breathing is another area to focus on. A proper cycle of breathing includes a long, deep inhalation, taking as much oxygen into your lungs as possible, holding your breath for a split second and then releasing, letting all the negativity and tension in your body out along with it.
Yoga breathing exercises (Pranayama) can cleanse all the stress, tension and negativity from your body. Once perfected, this process of breathing in, holding it for a split second and then exhaling can revitalize you and are great stress relievers.
