"Yoga teaches us to cure what need not be endured and endure what cannot be cured." B.K.S Iyengar "Blessed are the flexible for they will not be bent out of shape" Author unknown "Yoga is the fountain of youth.You're only as young as your spine is flexible." Bob Harper | I often refer to clients they should use yoga like a tool box in their daily lives and pull out a pose to help aide them at any specific time. Yoga poses and techniques have been used for centuries as a way to achieve optimal health and well-being but for when there isn’t time to attend a yoga class or you need relief here is a few of my top tools… Headaches: When you feel like a headache coming on and you are looking for a solution outside of medication then consider the cat pose (Marjaryasana). The beginner-friendly cat pose is a great way to relieve tension in the spine, shoulders and neck, and to boost circulation in the upper body. Begin with your hands and knees on the floor in a tabletop position, and gently round the spine up as you exhale. On the inhale, return to a neutral spine. In this pose you are moving all the way up the spine and spreading the disks which can get compressed from all the sitting we do in our day to day lives. Compression will put pressure on nerves that go up the spine. So when you feel like a headache coming on you need to relieve that tension and fast and relax in the cat pose. Sore throat: The lion’s breath exercise can be used to get rid of sore throats. Lion pose (Simhasana) is a specific yoga posture that activates the immune glands of the tonsils and the lymph nodes in the neck. Performing lion pose at the very beginning of a sore throat can dramatically stop and prevent the sore throat from progressing. Period pains: Camel Pose; Kneel on the floor with the knees hips-width apart. Turn your thighs inward slightly and press your shins and feet firmly into the floor. Rest your hands on the back of your hips (place the base of your palms on the top part of your glutes and point your fingers down). Inhale, lift your chest, and press your shoulders down, towards the ribs. Exhale, push the hips forward as you lengthen the front of the body and arch back. Keep your hands on the back of your hips or on the back of the heels. If you place your hand on the heels, press your toes into the floor to lift the heels higher. Use your hands to stabilize, push the hips forward, and lift the chest. Drop the head back, gaze upward, and breathe steadily. Tiredness: Your nose is exceptionally clever. Simply by practicing a few rounds of alternate nostril breathing (Pranayama) for a few minutes each day, you can help restore imbalances in your brain – improve sleep – calm your emotional state – boost your thinking – calm your nervous system. How impressive is that! Another interesting fact about your nostrils, is that you don’t breathe through them equally all the time. Right now, you will be favoring either your left nostril or your right nostril. Left nostril for calming – right nostril for energy Your nose is directly linked to your brain and nervous system. For thousands of years the Indian yogis believe that many diseases are connected to disturbed nasal breathing. Bloated: It's easy to overindulge, and feel bloated and puffy after a big meal. The main cause? Not-so-savory reasons like gas and acid reflux. Instead of flopping back on the sofa, think about trying a natural cure for stomach troubles. You'll want to do this simple stretch—also known as the wind-relieving pose—to gain relief from bloating and gas pains. How to do it: Lie down, relax and inhale, placing your hands on your knees. Exhale, and hug your knees to your chest. Rock your knees from side to side to maximize the stretch. Stay for five to ten breaths, and release your knees. Repeat this move a few more times. Stressed: Child's Pose (Balasana) this calming child's pose is a resting posture that can help quiet the mind, easing stress and anxiety while gently stretching the back. It's also good for the nervous system and lymphatic system. Restorative ... it's child-like and allows us to come inward to ourselves. Angry: The Corpse pose, (Shavasana), is meant to quiet your mind and still your body. Lie flat on your back with your legs close but not touching, and your arms parallel to the body with the palms facing up. Close your eyes, relax your facial muscles and breathe deeply and slowly through the nostrils. Focus on consciously relaxing each part of your body, starting with your head and working your way down. If you begin to feel sleepy, breathe more quickly and deeply. |
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Sarah SpenceYoga enthusiast, red wine drinker, qualified journalist Archives
February 2015
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