Yoga students may be able to reach these states naturally. Others will need a great deal of patience and guidance from you as their teacher. By focusing on asanas that promote relaxation, practicing meditation and incorporating Yoga Nidra into the routine, stressed out students will find it much easier to obtain the deep state of relaxation they are longing for.
Panic attacks can be crippling, with waves of fear, racing heartbeat, shortness of breath, and other symptoms that make victims feel like they are about to die. These disabling attacks are common, as well; at least 20% of adult Americans will suffer from a panic attack at some time in their lives. That is around 60 million people facing intense distress; and following one attack, the risk of having another is increased.
That’s why we need Yoga. Our practice teaches us to tune into our thoughts and our actions, making us aware of the things that trigger us and the steps we need to take. Yoga also floods the body with “feel-good” hormones, making us healthier, happier, and more active. Most of all, Yoga poses, meditation, and breathing techniques reset our endocrine systems and put a halt to the physical and chemical stress cycle.
To practice Supported Supine Bow Pose, you will need a bolster and two blankets. If you do not have a bolster, fold a thick blanket or towel to approximate the same size and shape as a Yoga bolster. Place the bolster lengthwise on your Yoga mat. Fold the two blankets into squares and place them where your knees will be.
According to Dr. Madan Kataria, the founder of Laughter Yoga, maintaining a good mood is as simple as being able to control one’s reactions to positive and negative emotions. To operate effectively, the brain needs approximately 25% more oxygen than the other organs in the body. Yoga not only produces natural chemicals that calm the mind, but it also increases the supply of freshly oxygenated blood to the brain.
The great thing about yoga practice is that it does not have to require a large amount of time. It is true that some yoga pose routines may be done for hours and can involve deep meditation and concentration, but once teens learn the basic techniques, yoga can be easily incorporated into their busy schedule.
If you combine the practice of pranayama with Yoga asanas, your endocrine system will become more balanced, which will promote a feeling of calmness and ease. As your adrenalin and cortisol levels even out, it will be easier for you to concentrate on what is truly important to take care of in the moment, instead of operating from a place of crisis management. Lower cortisol levels will also help to improve your memory, so that you can remember the important items on your “to do” list.
Although some schools of Yoga in the west emphasize the physical practice, many forms of Yoga exercise the mind as well as the body. Meditation is a concentrated effort for slowing the mind and body down, by practicing mantra, japa, mindfulness or deep breathing to center one’s ability to focus, while blocking out audio or visual input. Much like abdominal breathing, meditation has a relaxing effect on a person’s mind and body.
Learning to calm and center yourself with Yoga is literally a lifesaver. People die from stress, anxiety, and depression every day; so…
Are you interested in yoga? Has your partner recently started yoga lessons? Maybe your doctor has suggested you take up yoga as a form of stress management.