3 Essential Yoga Poses to Assist You During Times of Stress

If there were a magic-pill to be stress-free forever, would you take it?

I imagine a lot of us would say YES, PLEASE! Who would ever want to feel stressed?

What’s important for you to know though is that stress is normal.

It’s not only a part of everyone’s life but it’s also a normal way for your body to react or respond to events that require change, adjustment or even events that are important to us. Have you ever met a stressed out bride or groom? The event of unifying love is so important to them that it’s causing them to feel stressed. And THAT’S OK!

We have no control as to what happens around us. The ebbs and flows of life are inevitable. So what actually causes the stress to be “bad” is not the events but our lack of response to what our body, mind, thoughts, and emotions are telling us.

Below you’ll find 3 essential poses that will assist you during times of stress and allow you to respond accordingly

Enjoy Childs Pose on your bed, on the floor, or on your mat. With your shins down, bring your big-toes to touch, then adjust your knees to be closer or wider. Allow your chest to lie over your thighs. You can bring your palms or a pillow under your forehead.

Rest in this pose for about 3-5 minutes while noticing your breath move in and out.

Downward facing Savasana (or final-rest pose on your belly) is also great to practice on your bed, on the floor or on your mat. Let your check, chin, or forehead gently be placed onto the ground. Nothing specific for alignment, simply allow yourself to feel comfortable. As you feel the contact on the floor or bed or mat with your belly, use that as feedback to how your breath is moving. Can you invite the breath to move more into your belly?

Rest in this pose for about 3-5 minutes or as long as you wish while you gently press your belly out on your inhale.

Constructive rest pose is done on your back. You’ll bend your knees with the soles of your feet to the ground. Allow your knees to move toward each other any amount, the knees can definitely touch. You might bring one hand to your heart and one hand to your belly in a gesture of connecting to your breath while you tune in to your heart and your citta (your heart-mind).