Yoga is a great way to manage stress. The poses relieve tension in the muscles and promote increased flexibility while the yoga breathing has a calming effect on your body and mind. Make sure to execute yoga poses with proper form and breath deeply and completely through all the poses. Try incorporating even one of these yoga poses into your daily routine and you will reap the benefits of a calmer mind and more relaxed body.
Mountain Pose
Mountain pose is an effective way to start a yoga routine. It reinforces good posture and is simple enough to allow you to center your mind at the beginning of your routine. Stand with your feet together and toes pointed forward. Your feet should anchor your body into the ground. Concentrate on pressing the four corners of your feet, both sides of the heels and balls of your feet, into the ground equally. Dangle your hands alongside your thighs with your palms facing forward. Relax and elongate your neck by imagining your shoulder blades gliding down your back toward your hips.
Tree Pose
Balance poses help develop better body awareness while strengthening your muscles. For tree pose, start with your feet together. A beginner should lift the heel of the right foot and balance on the left foot and the right toe. An intermediate pose involves lifting the right foot to rest on the left ankle or on the left calf. As you advance, work up to resting the right foot on your left thigh. Never rest your foot on your knee. Remember to anchor your body by pressing the four corners of your standing foot into the ground. Keep your arms at your side, in prayer position over your heart or lifted up above your head. Relax your shoulder blades and pull your abs in to help center your body. Make sure to do tree pose on both sides.
Downward-Facing Dog
Downward-facing dog is an energizing pose that will stretch the muscles of the upper back, shoulders, hips and legs. From a standing position, lean forward to place your hands on the ground. Jump or step your feet back until your body forms an upside down V position. Press both of your heels into the ground, keeping your legs straight. Lift your tailbone up, aiming it for the ceiling. Look at your legs, pressing the fronts of your shoulders toward the ground. Keep your neck relaxed by moving your shoulder blades toward your hips. Keep your palms flat on the ground.
Corpse Pose
Corpse pose gives you time to concentrate more fully on your yoga breathing, relieving stress and completely relaxing mind and body. It is a great way to end a yoga routine. Lie on your back with your arms stretched alongside your body and your fingers pointing in the direction of your feet. Allow your feet to fall open so their arches point to the ceiling. Keep your abs pulled in toward your spine. Relax your shoulders, elongating your neck. Keep your palms facing up to the ceiling. Close your eyes and focus on your breathing. Spend at least five minutes in this final pose, inhaling fully and exhaling completely.
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