Yoga for Stress Relief

With the winter’s cold weather and busyness of the holidays, exercise and self-care can take a backseat. Lack of time for yourself causes stress to rise. Luckily, yoga is a practice that focuses on relaxing physically and mentally. The benefits of yoga have been seen for thousands of years. Here are a few ways yoga can help reduce stress for you.

Controlled Breathing

Yoga is the practice of stretching and moving while focusing on slow and controlled breathing, relaxing the mind and body. Pranayama, also known as yogic breathing, helps promotes full and complete breaths, increased oxygen to the blood, releases muscle tension and prepares for deeper meditation.

Meditation

Often poses within yoga take moments of meditation to slow and calm the mind. These moments provide opportunities to set the mental list of to-dos to the side and focus on what your body is feeling.

Physical Movement

Although it is not as labor intensive as lifting weights or cardio, yoga is still a great form of exercise. Intensity level depends on the type of yoga, but whatever you choose, yoga is still great for increased flexibility, builds muscle strength, improves posture and increases blood flow. Classes or online videos can also vary in lengths, ranging from 15 minutes to a full hour to fit your schedule.

Getting started with yoga is as easier than one might think. Books, videos and classes for beginners are typically available online. Take it at your own pace and notice the stress melt away.