Trying Something New

For quite some time my mom and I have been talking about wanting to start taking yoga. As of recent I have been coming across more and more different pins/articles making me want to actually take the leap. One article in particular which caught my eye was about different yoga poses that can help with daily things we all encounter. I instantly bookmarked the page knowing that I would personally be coming back, but also because the next thought on my mind was it would be great to share with you. Now I am by no means a yoga expert. In all honesty right now the most I have done is that which is included on Wii fit, so please use your own discretion when attempting these poses. 

Pose for Anxiety: Pranayama Breathing

• How to:

  -sit with legs crossed comfortably resting your hands palm up on your knees
  -close eyes and inhale slowly for 6 counts and pause 2 counts before exhaling 
  -exhale slowly for 6 counts then pause 2 counts before starting again
  -repeat for 10 minutes
• Helps how:
  -slow, deep breathing can help to shut down your system's fight-or-flight state
  -creates sense of rest and relaxation 

Source

Pose for Headache: Reclining Cobbler

• How to: 

  -sit and put soles of feet together, knees pointing out to the side 
  -recline so your back is flat to the floor and place your hands on your belly
  -take 20 long and slow breaths in and out
• Helps how:
  -relieves tension in face, neck, back and hips - a prime cause of headaches

Source

Pose for Trouble Sleeping: Legs Up the Wall

• How to: 

  -sit with your body facing a wall
  -place your feet on the wall and wiggle your body forward until your butt touches the wall
  -take slow, deep breaths 
  -relax in this position for at least 5 minutes prior to bed
• Helps how:
  -is a modified inversion which allows nervous system to relax

Source

Pose for Back Pain: Sphinx to Child's Pose

• How to: 

  -lay on stomach with legs extended propped up on your forearms - elbows directly under shoulders
  -pull belly in tight, contracting your thighs, pushing into forearms as pushing chest upward
  -hold for 30 seconds then lower self to starting position
  -repeat 3 times
  -after the last time slide hips back to heels and extend arms out (child's pose)
  -hold here for 2 minutes
• Helps how:
  -sphinx pose aligns the spine 

  -child's pose is a soothing stretch for the lower back

Source 1 - Source 2

Pose for Tummy Trouble: Wind Removing Pose

• How to:

  -lie on your back bringing knees to chest and wrapping arms over shins
  -hold while inhaling and exhaling slow and deep 20 times
• Helps how:
  -gentle pressure this places on belly can help to regulate GI

Source

Pose for Bloating: Spine Twist

• How to:

  -lay on back with arms out to the side at the height of your shoulders, legs extended 
  -bend and lift right knee to chest keeping left on the floor 
  -turn head to the side so you are looking over your right shoulder 
  -lower right knee across your body to the left - place left hand on knee for deeper stretch
  -hold for several breaths
  -switch sides and repeat
• Helps how:
  -twists are believed to aid in digestion
  -works the abs

Source

Pose for Depressed Mood: Bridge

• How to:

  -lying on your back place feet hip-width apart with arms palm down on the floor
  -press into your feet lifting hips in the air - peel up slowly  
  -hold at the top for 5 breaths then slowly roll down
  -do 3 times
• Helps how:
  -back bends are considered energizing poses 

Source

Pose for Sinus Pressure: Downward Facing Dog

• How to:

  -begin in child's post with arms extended to the front 
  -press palms into the floor, curl toes under and lift hips up and back - forming an inverted V shape 
  -hold for 5 slow, deep breaths then lower back to child's pose
  -repeat at least one more time
• Helps how:
  -some pressure can be alleviated by being slightly upside down

  -promotes drainage

Source

**for us women**
Pose for PMS: Cow/Cat

• How to: 

  -begin on hands and knees placing hands under shoulders and knees under hips
  -inhale letting your belly sink towards the floor (cow) and pause
  -exhale and reverse arching your back up (cat) and pause
  -do this for a total of 20 times each way
• Helps how:
  -recommended as a way to ease abdominal cramping 

Source

And lastly here's a little yoga inspired giggle for the day!

Source

Questions of the Day:

1) Do you do currently do yoga?

2) If not, is it something you have interest in? 

2) Which pose would you find most helpful in daily life?

Namaste!

❤ Nichole ❤

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