Yoga for Stress Relief

Stressed out individuals can carry a great deal of physical tension in their bodies.



It has long been established that yogasanas or physical postures combined with pranayama and meditation have a tremendous therapeutic effect on the body, mind and spirit. Here the natural unblocking effected by Yoga helps. For instance, when you rest between asanas, abdominal tension is released from your body, promoting deep breathing and subsequent relaxation.



The benefits of yogasanas, pranayama, and meditation include increased body awareness, release of muscular tension and increased coordination between mind-and body. It helps in better management of stress and ensures an overall feeling of well being.

Yogasanas for stress relief

Asanas are one of the most important systems of physical culture ever created.



The purpose of asanas is to create a free flow of “Prana”, life energy in and out of the system, in order to perfect its functioning. Wrong posture, on the other hand, can create a lot of stress and cause contractions, inhibiting circulation of energy and nutrients in the body. This encourages toxins and waste materials to accumulate inside body. As the mind and body are connected, physical blocks combined with mental blockage can result in pain and disorder in both spheres.

The Corpse pose (Shavasana), the Crocodile pose (Makarasana), and Child pose (Balasana) are simple relaxation postures. These are particularly helpful in relieving anxiety and nervous irritability. 

Pranayama (Breathing techniques) for stress relief

Yoga offers a number of breathing techniques for stress relief. These breathing techniques are called pranayama. According to Yoga, pranayama comprises various ways of inhaling, exhaling and breath retention. This breath is inter-linked with consciousness, both at the cosmic and individual levels. Pranayama creates a synergy between the self-energizing life force and individual mind-body-spirit by scientific regulation of prana.

Perhaps the simplest form of pranayama is Anuloma-Viloma or Nadi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril Breathing). Nadis are subtle nerve channels through which prana, ‘life-force’ flows. In addition, Dirga Pranayama, Ujjayi and Brahmari also help reduce stress.

Meditation for stress relief

Meditation has proven extremely beneficial in reducing stress and anxiety, lowering blood pressure, improving concentration and creativity besides bringing relief from stress-induced ailments. In the modern age various meditation techniques are increasingly being used for relaxation as well as therapeutic benefits. Among them are Mantra Japa, Vipassana, Transcendental Meditation made popular during the 1970s by Maharshi Mahesh Yogi. Sudarshan Kriya of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and many more.

All these practised together are bound to give you tremendous results in combating stress at all levels, physical, mental and emotional.