Beat Stress With Yoga

Being more than 5000 years old, yoga is considered to be the oldest method of self development. Meditation, breath control, physical postures and ethical disciplines are the main techniques that constitute classical yoga.

Although yoga has been practiced traditionally in the eastern countries widely, the benefits of it have now succeeded in drawing the attention of millions in the west. Today, with development in technology and reduction in communication gap, yoga has gained popularity across the globe.

Following are some of the yoga techniques that help in reducing stress :

• Breath control

• Body movement

• Meditation

• Stretching

• Mental imagery

The name Yoga is derived from the word “yoke” which means “bringing together”. And, true to its name, it brings the mind, body and soul together. Yoga is one of the best methods to relieve stress and feel relaxed. Apart from stress management, yoga also helps in getting sound sleep, reducing cortisol levels, improving medical conditions, reducing muscle tension and anxiety, slowing down the aging process, increasing strength both physically and mentally, relieving from symptoms of asthma and allergy, maintain normal blood pressure and heart rate, spiritual growth, smoking cessation, and etc.

One of the accepted definitions for stress is the factor that affects the well-being of a person physically and mentally. When under stress, life can appear to be miserable and result in problems like headaches, back pain, insomnia and even major problems like heart attack and osteoporosis.

In order to deal with stress, there are few poses in yoga that arouse the glands present in the brain and put the body into the state of Alpha. This helps in boosting the creative thought process of a person and healing the body by itself. Usually, it is the final resting pose of yoga called as savasana where one achieves the Alpha state. Dhyana (meditation), Pranayam (breathing) and Asana (posture) are the ways of yoga that enhances the energy flow in the body and over all well-being of a person.

Yoga exercises to relieve stress on the joints and discs involve twists and stretches in association with deep breathing symmetrically. This also helps in removing toxins and poisons from the body and reducing muscle tension. “Pranayam” is one of the breathing exercises that wipe off the toxins by filling more amount of oxygen in the lungs. Entering into the bloodstream, oxygen helps in fighting with infections and thus healing the body. Yoga exercises not only helps in increasing the strength of the body, but also cleansing the mind and thereby reducing stress.

The resting poses in yoga assists in improving digestion process and relieve abdominal tension. It also leads the body to a relaxed and calm state. With yoga, a person feels free from negative thoughts and thus remains mentally focused.