The holiday season can be a time of great joy, but also of great stress. There are gifts to buy, parties to attend, and a general sense of busyness permeates our lives.
Yoga is a great form of exercise for stress relief, a way to center ourselves, and to become more mindful of the true meaning of the holidays celebrated this time of year.
Marlene, yoga instructor at Midtown Overland Park, recommends the following five yoga poses for stress relief:
1. Triangle
Feet: a wide stance and parallel, right foot should be at 90 degrees and left foot slightly facing in.
Arms: place your right hand on your shin or if you can all the way to the floor and extend your left arm up bringing your arms to a “T” shape.
Breath: Take 5 deep breaths. Come up slowly and repeat on the other side. To finish bring your feet parallel.
2. Side Angle
Feet: face your right foot out and face your left foot in. Bend your right knee until it is just over your right ankle. Check to see if your right thigh is parallel to the floor.
Arms: Place your right arm down by your ankle, and reach your left arm by your left ear to create a long line of energy from your left heel through to your left fingers.
Breath: take 5 breaths, come up slowly and repeat on the left side.
3. Half Moon
Feet:with your right foot turned toward the right, bend your right knee and place your right hand in front of your right pinky toe. Lift your left leg and extend both legs.
Arms: lift your left arm up bringing them to a “T” shape.
Core: engage your core and legs. Energy should flow from the center to your fingers and toes.
Breath: 5 breaths and come up slowly and repeat on the left side.
4. Tree
Feet: lift your left foot to your right ankle, knee or inner thigh.
Arms: start with your palms together near your heart. Once you are steady, lift them above your head.
Core: engage your core and lengthen from your fingers down through your tail bone.
Breath: 5 breaths and repeat on the other side
5. Head of the Knee
Feet: sit on the floor with your legs extended. Bend your right knee into your left thigh.
Arms: inhale and extend your arms up, exhale and fold forward keeping your hips grounded.
Breath: take 5 breaths and inhale as you come up. Repeat on the left side.
What’s your favorite stress-busting yoga pose?
