Stress Management: Practicing Yoga to Relax

Overview

Yoga is a mind and body practice. It involves movement, breathing exercises, and a focus on thoughts and feelings as they happen (mindfulness). It began in India as a spiritual practice. It was based on the idea that the mind and body are one. Today, many people practice yoga for overall health, including flexibility, stress relief, and physical fitness.

Common styles of yoga include Ashtanga, Bikram, and Iyengar. Their styles vary. But they all include stretching postures that are done with focused, deep breathing.

How do you do yoga to relax?

Many yoga poses may help you relax and release stress.

• The extended puppy pose and the cat-cow pose can be simple to learn. They may be a good place to start if you have never done yoga before.
• The reclining bound angle pose is more advanced. You may need to use props to get the full benefits. A prop is something you use to support different parts of your body in a yoga pose. You can use items that you have at home, such as pillows or blankets.

Extended puppy pose

1. Start on your hands and knees on a mat or carpet. Place your hands directly below your shoulders and your knees below your hips. Slowly breathe in.
2. Slowly breathe out as you slowly walk your hands forward as far as you can. Keep your hips over your knees. Your arms should be pressing forward, with just your hands touching the floor.
3. Drop your forehead down to the mat or carpet. Allow your chest to sag toward the floor, and relax your neck.
4. Relax and breathe normally for about 1 minute. Then return to the starting position, and repeat 2 to 4 times.

Cat-cow pose

Repeat these steps 10 to 20 times. Make sure to do the movements as you breathe in and out.

Reclining bound angle pose

Do not do this exercise after giving birth until your doctor says it is okay.

1. Sit on the floor with the soles of your feet pressed together. Your knees should be bent, and your feet should be as close to your body as is comfortable without straining.
2. Support your knees at the level where they are comfortable when you recline. You can place pillows or yoga blocks under your knees or use blankets. Use more than one pillow under each knee, if needed. You do not want to strain to have your knees as close to the floor as possible.
3. Use blankets to support your back. Fold one or more blankets and place them lengthwise behind your back so that your torso and head will be supported when you lie down. Make sure that the folded blankets are wide enough to go under your shoulders. You may want to position the blankets so that they fit with the curve of your spine when you lie down. For example:
   • Place one blanket against your buttocks.
   • Put another blanket on top of it to support your lower back and spine.
   • Use another blanket as a pillow to support your head.
4. Sit just in front of the blankets so that when you lie back, your torso and head will be supported. You may have to test to see how many blankets to use.
5. Gently lower yourself backward toward the floor. Adjust the blankets as needed. Put your hands down on the floor by your sides, a few inches away from your body. Use blankets or pillows to support your arms in a comfortable position if needed.
6. Relax. Close your eyes, and breathe normally. At first, stay in the pose for up to 1 minute. Later you can stay in the pose for longer periods of time—up to 10 minutes.