Yoga can be a fantastic stress-reliever while following social distancing and “stay at home” recommendations.
Yoga is a mind-body practice that combines physical poses, controlled breathing, and meditation or relaxation. Yoga
may help reduce stress, lower blood pressure and lower
your heart rate. And almost anyone can do it. –Mayo Clinic
Practicing yoga for stress relief is hardly a new concept. Yoga has been origin-cited as far back as 3300-1900 BCE. Not being able to take advantage of yoga studios may seem like a problem, but it isn’t.
Yoga’s stress relief benefits are available to you at home.
Yoga for Stress and Anxiety: Needed Now More Than Ever
You’re home; you have no commute, no wardrobe issues, and perhaps no paycheck. COVID-19 has dealt a blow to all of us, one way or another. Tensions are running high with no sign of the pandemic abating. Stress relief, along with proper health, and nutrition are necessary for your mind, body, and spirit.
Yoga’s Healing Services for Body and Mind Wellness
As many as 80% of doctor office visits are stress-related, but fewer than 3% of doctors discuss stress-relief strategies with their patients. Any type of physical exercise has the potential to relieve stress.
Yoga’s foundation is built on mind-body awareness; your mind and body are connected. Yoga is practiced by athletes and analysts alike.
Ways to Integrate Yoga Into Your Life Today
With regular practice, yoga counters chronic daytime stress by reducing hormone levels and balancing your heart’s response to stress. In fact, the word “balance” perfectly describes the results you can gain through yoga classes. Balance is harmony, and it feels great!
Here are some tips to help you practice yoga at home during COVID-19:
Breathe
Breathing is what we do, naturally, and we don’t think about it unless we have an issue. But breathing is the key to your mind-body connection. It’s the dial that can lower your stress level.
- Ocean breath – Inhale through your nose, slowly; deeply. At the same time, constrict the back of your throat while keeping your mouth closed. Exhale through your nose.
- Alternate nostril – Sit in a comfortable position with legs crossed. Place your left hand on your left knee while raising your right hand to your nose. Exhale completely and close your right nostril with your right thumb. Inhale, then close it with your fingers. Open the right nostril and exhale. Continue this for about 5 minutes.
R A I N
RAIN is a Buddhist mindfulness tool:
Sit quietly. Breathe, and bring to mind your stressful situation.
- Recognize what is happening.
Send a message to your heart to “let it be.”
- Allow life to be just as it is.
Explore what you feel more closely with your mind and notice what is happening with your body. Do you feel anger and chest tightness?
- Investigate yourself with kindness.
Love yourself. Accept and forgive. Positive emotion will reduce stress.
- Nonidentification realizes your natural presence.
Learn More About Yoga for Stress Relief
By being kind to yourself regularly, every day, you are
doing yoga in one of its most powerful forms. –Psychology Today
East West Healing Solutions offers yoga classes for individuals in compliance with social distancing and other protocols in place during the COVID-19 pandemic.
We want you to take care of yourself. How can we help?
Call 727-216-3972 or contact us to learn more about our yoga studio in Palm Harbor and for more information about practicing yoga for stress relief at home.
