Having to deal with our everyday life challenges whether as an employer of labour, a factory worker, or a business owner is a huge source of concern for us city people. The hustle and bustle of life sure drains energy as fast as, if not faster than our body can replace them. This leads to stress – and most times, anxiety. The eventual fallout is reduced productivity, tiredness, and illness.
Be that as it may, the practice of yoga in the comfort of your house for just a few minutes every evening can be a great stress buster. These age-old methods have been used in the Orients as a source of relief from the burdens their body had to carry all through the day. Similarly, people in the Western world have come to appreciate the benefits of these healthy, stress-relieving yoga poses.
A. Start with the EASY POSE (Lotus Pose). This is one of the simplest, yet most effective yoga poses that has the ability to not only relax the mind and improve breathing, but will also help to stretch the spine and open up the hips for enhanced blood flow.
B. To stretch the spine even more and gently massage those belly organs, try the CAT-COW POSE (Marjaryasana). Though these can be separated into two distinct poses, doing them together in intervals of 2-3 minutes is even more beneficial. While kneeling down, align the wrist on the floor directly under the shoulder as well as the knees directly under the hips and push your spine upwards; hold the position for 2-3 minutes and then gently push your belly downwards towards the floor and just breathe; it is a wonderful means of letting out all those bottled-up stress.
C. CHILD’S POSE (Balasana) is quite refreshing and brings your mind to a much more tranquil and stress relief state while also helping the spine, arms, and neck to relax properly. Create a support with two firm pillows, gently lay on them with your chest facing down and arms spread forward, while the knees are folded underneath bringing your butts to sit right on top of your ankles.
D. The EXTENDED PUPPY POSE (Uttana Shishosana) is similar to the child’s pose; but this time, remove the pillows and imitate a dog the way they salute and stretch. Knees on the floor, feet stretched to the back, head on the floor, and then arms stretched as far forward as possible. This is perhaps the best way to stretch the spine and relieve it of cramps. Hold this position and breathe for 3 minutes before going to the next.
E. CORPES POSE (Savasana) is the ultimate yoga position. It completely calms the mind, and positively stretches all parts of the body. Lie down with your face up, arms stretched and palms facing the ceiling; then release knees sideways as best as possible and then just breathe and relax.
These 5 methods, if followed in the sequence above after a hard day’s job daily, has the ability to stretch the neck, spine, and torso (where stress hides); helping you relax more and eliminating anxiety.
