1. Child’s Pose (Balasana)
Child’s Pose is a grounding and calming posture that gently stretches the lower back, hips, thighs, and ankles. It’s a perfect pose to start with as it helps you center your mind and focus on your breath.
2. Cat-Cow Pose (Marjaryasana-Bitilasana)
This gentle flow between Cat and Cow poses helps to relieve tension in the spine and neck, while promoting a sense of relaxation. It’s also a great way to synchronize movement with breath, which can be incredibly soothing.
3. Standing Forward Bend (Uttanasana)
Standing Forward Bend is a calming pose that stretches the hamstrings, calves, and hips. It also helps to relieve stress and reduce fatigue by encouraging blood flow to the brain.
4. Legs-Up-The-Wall Pose (Viparita Karani)
This restorative pose involves lying on your back with your legs extended up against a wall. It’s excellent for reducing anxiety and stress, as it promotes relaxation and reduces tension in the lower body.
5. Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana)
Bridge Pose is great for opening the chest and stretching the spine. It helps to alleviate stress and mild depression by increasing blood flow and energy levels, while also calming the mind.
6. Corpse Pose (Savasana)
Often used as the final relaxation pose in a yoga practice, Corpse Pose involves lying flat on your back with your arms and legs relaxed. It’s a powerful pose for reducing stress as it encourages deep relaxation and meditation.
7. Seated Forward Bend (Paschimottanasana)
This pose stretches the spine, shoulders, and hamstrings. It’s particularly effective for relieving stress and anxiety as it encourages a deep, calming stretch while promoting introspection and relaxation.
8. Reclining Bound Angle Pose (Supta Baddha Konasana)
Reclining Bound Angle Pose is a restorative pose that opens the hips and chest. It’s wonderful for alleviating stress and anxiety as it encourages deep breathing and relaxation.
9. Eagle Pose (Garudasana)
Eagle Pose is a balancing posture that helps to improve concentration and focus. By requiring you to concentrate on your balance and alignment, it helps to quiet the mind and reduce stress.
10. Happy Baby Pose (Ananda Balasana)
Happy Baby Pose is a playful and relaxing posture that stretches the inner thighs and hips. It’s great for relieving stress and anxiety, as it encourages a sense of joy and relaxation.
Incorporating these yoga poses into your daily routine can be a powerful way to manage stress and anxiety. Remember to move mindfully and focus on your breath throughout your practice, and always listen to your body. Namaste!