Yoga For Relaxation
Yoga is not just a physical fitness discipline, but is a holistic fitness routine that strives to achieve a harmony and unison of the body and mind. Yoga offers some of the best methods of relaxation and is extremely effective against stress. When under stress your body responds in shallow breathing, which results in a restriction of oxygen supply to the various body organs, and this sets off the symptoms that we commonly associate with fatigue. Taking up yoga and joining a yoga class or center would be the best move for anyone suffering from or prone to stress. It helps you stay attuned to your physical, emotional, and spiritual needs and gives you greater clarity of thought and control.
Ordinarily relaxation is only concerned with the physical system and rarely has much to do with the emotions or breathing. Yoga on the other hand looks at the larger picture and focuses on the whole. The effect is complete relaxation not confined or restricted to the body. Yoga transcends mere physical relaxation to encompass the mind, the emotions, and even the spirit. Yoga emphasizes relaxation on all three of these levels to achieve complete relaxation. Without such a wholesome approach rest or relaxation is only fleeting and incomplete.
Relaxation yoga can be very helpful for you to overcome stress and relax and rejuvenate. This discipline however requires dedication and a regular routine for it to be effective. If you are not already a yoga practitioner then it would be best to get started with warm ups and Sun Salute Pose or Surya Namaskar. These can be followed by poses or asanas in the various categories like standing poses, sitting poses, supine poses, prone poses, inverted poses, and balancing poses. Some of the specific poses that can be included as part of your relaxation yoga routine include the Corpse Pose, the Crocodile Pose, the Prayer Pose, and the Child Pose among others. Restorative Yoga Poses like the Simple Supported Back Bend, Supported Forward Bend, Supported Bridge Pose, and the Supported Reclining Hero’s Pose.
Dirga Pranayama which is a form of slow, Yogic breathing is also helpful and important. Then progress to Skull Cleansing (Kapalabhatti) and breathing exercises known as Pranayama. In addition to these Yogic techniques and routine try to stick to Yogic Diet, free of any junk food. The foods we eat have a marked effect on our body and how we feel.
