YOGA FOR STRESS
When we are stressed, whether we realize it or not, we hold tension in our muscles. For me, I tend to hold tension in my neck and shoulders, sometimes I will also hold it in my lower back.
How does the practice of yoga on a regular basis help with stress?
Yoga is different than other forms of exercise, because it is slow. It focuses on stillness. In holding a pose, where some muscles are under tension, and others are lengthened, we are forced to pay attention to how the body feels. When we are doing cardio, or lifting heavy weights, we are encouraged to move faster, push harder, therefore we ignore any discomfort the body may be feeling in order to get the next rep, or to last a little longer. In yoga, we turn inward to stay present in the stillness of the pose. That is how we find our strength.
In modern day life, we carry a lot of unrecognized stress. Our sedentary lifestyles, actually put a lot of stress on the body. When we sit, our hamstrings are in a contracted position. Even though our body is not moving, when we sit at a desk for 8 hours a day, we are indeed putting a tremendous amount of pressure on the back of our thighs. Another common example of how sitting all day hurts our bodies, is the posture of our necks and spines when we hunch over a computer screen or a phone. In this position, our necks lean forward, our shoulders round inwards, and our spines slump in. When the muscles spend hours in this unnatural position, they tense and tighten up. Adding to the physical stress, is the mental and emotional imbalance caused by our intense use of technology.
It is very common for our bodies to create knots, or balls of tension as a result of sitting for too long.
The practice of yoga brings us face to face with the parts of our bodies that are holding onto these knots of stress. When in a downward dog, we notice whether or not our hamstrings are tight. Staying in the pose while we connect to our breath, makes us aware of what needs attention.
Yoga gives us better control over our self-awareness.
It gives us increased inner and outer strength, stability, and flexibility.
It helps to reduce anxiety, pain, and discomfort.
Yoga also teaches us to observe our breath.
The way we breathe is an indicator of stress. When muscles are under tension, therefore stressed, it is the bodies natural response to want to hold, or at least shorten the breath. When we are taught to pay attention to our breath, we can then get a better idea of the state of our nervous system.
For many who are just beginning to practice yoga, this can be scary. We have become so accustomed to being busy, in a state of overdrive, that we no longer realize when we are stressed out.
Implementing a regular yoga practice into your routine will force your mind to slow down, giving you the chance to pay attention to your body. The more you do this, the greater your self-awareness becomes. Self- awareness is the first step to overcoming any obstacle in your life...including, and most importantly, stress.
You can join me every Wednesday morning at 9:30 am Eastern Time for a free yoga zoom. Comment below it you are interested.
As always, much love and namaste.
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