7 Amazing Yoga Poses
Liam Reilly
| 11-11-2024
· Sport team
Hey Lykkers! When life gets overwhelming, yoga can be a powerful tool for relaxing the body, quieting the mind, and elevating the spirit.
Here's a guide to yoga poses and techniques that help reduce stress and bring a sense of calm and joy.

1. Mountain Pose (Tadasana): A Grounding Start

Benefits: This foundational standing pose calms the mind, encourages deep breathing, and improves posture by aligning the body.
How to Do It:
Stand with feet together, grounding down through your feet.
Keep your arms relaxed at your sides, or place hands in prayer at your chest.
Focus on your breath, inhale deeply, and feel each part of your body elongate.
Hold for 5–10 breaths, grounding and centering yourself.

2. Child's Pose (Balasana): Find Deep Relaxation

Benefits: A resting pose that soothes the brain, relieves tension in the back, and offers a comforting sense of peace.
How to Do It:
Kneel on the floor, sit back on your heels, and fold forward with your arms extended or relaxed beside you.
Let your forehead rest on the mat, releasing tension in the neck and shoulders.
Breathe deeply and hold for 1–2 minutes, allowing stress to melt away.

5 Yoga Poses That Help Reduce Anxiety

Video by VENTUNO YOGA

3. Cat-Cow Pose (Marjaryasana-Bitilasana): Release Back Tension

Benefits: Cat-Cow increases circulation between the vertebrae and releases back tension, making it ideal for stress relief.
How to Do It:
Start on your hands and knees in a tabletop position.
Inhale as you arch your back (Cow Pose), lifting your chest and tailbone toward the sky.
Exhale as you round your back (Cat Pose), tucking in your tailbone and head.
Continue for 1–2 minutes, moving with each breath.

4. Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana): Energize and Let Go

Benefits: This classic pose stretches and strengthens while helping release physical tension and promote mental clarity.
How to Do It:
From the tabletop position, lift your knees off the floor and push back to create an inverted V-shape.
Press through your hands and feet, keeping your spine long and hips elevated.
Take deep breaths and hold for 30 seconds to 1 minute.

5. Standing Forward Bend (Uttanasana): A Calming Stretch

Benefits: This pose is known to reduce anxiety and quiet the mind by enhancing blood flow to the head.
How to Do It:
Stand with feet hip-width apart, inhale, and as you exhale, fold forward from your hips.
Let your head and arms hang, bending your knees if needed to protect your lower back.
Hold for 5–10 breaths, feeling your stress release with each exhale.

6. Legs Up the Wall (Viparita Karani): Inviting Calm and Rest

Benefits: This gentle inversion pose helps reduce fatigue, promotes relaxation, and lowers stress levels.
How to Do It:
Sit with one side of your body against a wall, then swing your legs up as you lie back.
Extend your arms outward or rest them on your belly.
Hold for 5–10 minutes, breathing deeply and relaxing each muscle group.

7. Corpse Pose (Savasana): The Ultimate Relaxation

Benefits: Savasana calms the nervous system, reduces stress, and is an ideal pose for concluding a yoga session.
How to Do It:
Lie on your back with your arms and legs relaxed.
Close your eyes, take deep breaths, and focus on releasing any remaining tension.
Stay in this pose for 5–10 minutes, allowing yourself to relax fully.

Breathing Techniques for Stress Relief:

In addition to these poses, specific breathing exercises can also help release stress and promote calmness.
Deep Breathing (Diaphragmatic Breathing): Take slow, deep breaths, focusing on expanding the belly on each inhale. This activates the body's relaxation response, reducing stress.
Alternate Nostril Breathing (Nadi Shodhana): Use your thumb and ring finger to close off alternate nostrils while breathing in and out. This method balances the mind and body, fostering peace.
Ujjayi Breathing (Ocean Breath): Inhale and exhale deeply through your nose, gently constricting the back of your throat to create a soft ocean-like sound. This helps focus the mind and relieve tension.
Including these poses and breathing exercises in your regular routine will help you feel happier and less stressed. These methods will assist in developing a mindful practice that leaves you feeling centered, at ease, and prepared to face life with fresh joy, regardless of your level of experience.