5 Ways to Use Integral Yoga Relaxation Techniques

1. Integral Yoga Relaxes Many Ways

Integral yoga, synthesized by Sri Swami Satchidananda, the Woodstock guru, came from many different forms of yoga. The relaxation for participants comes from many areas of the yoga. Deep cleansing breath slows the heart rate and relaxes the body as the first step. Slow deliberate movements unwind the participant and mental exercises release the mind. Integral yoga uses the meditation of Raja yoga, sound vibration of Japa, the philosophies of Karma, Bhakti and Jnana Yoga and breathing and postures of Hatha Yoga.

2. Focus on Your Breathing to Relax with Integral Yoga

Sit in a cross-legged yoga position and breath deeply. Clear the mind as you focus on the breath. Visualize the lungs filling from the bottom to the top while you inhale. Empty the lungs and picture the upper chest emptying, the mid-chest and finally push all the air out with the abdomen. Deep breaths send oxygen to areas starved for it. The focus shuts out other disturbing thoughts and allows your mind to rest and body to relax.

3. Choose Movement to Relax with Integral Yoga

The asanas of Integral yoga release the tension held by the body. Most people agree they know when someone shows tension. The way an uptight subject holds their body screams to the world high tension. Integral yoga uses asanas created centuries before to unwind the tightly held muscles. Smooth relaxed movements aid the student of integral yoga to release the tension and allow the body to relax. The relaxed body aids in a relaxed mind.

4. Release Your Negativity with Integral Yoga

Control the mind and release the negative. Integral yoga not only integrates all forms of yoga but also integrates the mind and spirit with all things in nature. Meditation is a form of mind control or self-hypnosis. When you empty the mind of all negativity, it leaves a void to fill. With Integral yoga, you fill the void with peace and inner fulfillment. Finding your true self and releasing the problems of the day are excellent ways to relax and integral yoga provides the opportunity to do it.

5. Aum and Other Mantras that Relax with Integral Yoga

Japa yoga's mantras are part of the basics for integral yoga. The vibration of the sound from various mantras tunes repeated as a mantra leads the mind to divine awareness, attunement to the universal spirit and relaxation.