Published on May 03, 2010.
Yoga has been around for thousands of years, and there is a reason so. It’s effective! How it reduces stress lies in the yogic science of strengthening the nervous system by revitalizing the cells, improving blood flow and relaxing your mind. Yoga is a practice so broad that it has so many styles, formed and intensities. There is, however, a particular style that is perfect for stress management and getting relief from hyper tension – Hatha. The best yoga hathasasans therapy are:
1. Balsana (Child’s Pose), which involves lowering legs on the floor, bending knees, and resting the chest on the knees. The head must be stretched forward and arms are stretched forward or backwards. Breathe deeply for about 6 minutes.
2. Savasana (Corpse Pose), which involves lying on the back and spreading the arms and legs to 45 degrees. For 10-15 minutes, breathe deeply.
3. Makarasana (Crocodile Pose), which involves stretching out the legs and lying down on the stomach. Both palms must hold the head and elbows are rested on the floor. Continue to breathe deeply for 5-10 minutes.
Several techniques that are also used to combat stress are controlled breathing, meditation, physical movement and stretching. Muscles bring together stress. When body lacks movement, lactic acid that causes stiffness accumulates. By doing stretching and physical movement, circulation improves and toxins are drained, resulting to a more free movement, and reduction of stress. Controlled breathing and meditation integrate the body, breath, mind, and intellect. They bring serenity to the body cells, releases tension from the 5 senses, at the same time, relaxes facial muscles. If this is done deliberately, the mind is stilled. Problems and fears cannot pierce through the brain. It is the brain that is freed from stress, and instead filled with tranquility and peace. Yoga has also been found to increase immunity, thus letting you live a healthier life, an essential element to stress reduction.