4 Yoga Poses to Try For Stress

Yoga can help with a number of body issues including weight loss, flexibility, and stress. Stress may be the one thing that you don't think of when you think of different yoga poses and what they can actually do for you. The truth is, there are poses that can directly help your stress. If you know these poses, you can find time and work your way through them each day to help reduce your stress and the related issues stress causes. Here are a few of those poses and a quick guide on how to do them.

Corpse Pose

The corpse pose is likely the easiest pose in yoga to do and it offers the most benefit if you are trying to remove stress from your body prior to sleep. The pose can be done on the floor or on the bed. Simply lie on your back, with your neck supported by a towel or neck roll. Place your arms out to your sides at a 40 degree angle, palms up. Your legs should also be out at an angle, about a shoulder width apart, with the soles of your feet facing outward. Allow your body to fully relax. There should be no tension and no attempt to keep tension. Hold this pose for around two minutes while you breathe in and out at a slow steady pace.

Legs Up the Wall Pose

The legs up the wall pose is exactly what it sounds like. You place your legs against the wall with the soles of your feet facing the ceiling. Your butt should be against the wall as if you are sitting. Place your arms as you would for the corpse pose and begin to breathe at a steady, but slow, pace.  This can be done on the floor or in bed using your headboard or wall as the wall for your legs. 

Head to Knee Pose

The head to knee pose is done with the legs stretched out in front of you. Simply bend at the waist bringing your head to your knee. Do this in a slow relaxed manner. You do not want to strain yourself if you are not used to this stretch. This is designed to not only remove stress, but to also squeeze toxins from your system and out of your body. 

Easy Pose

The easy pose is the most common pose in yoga. This pose is also called the cross legged or lotus position. Sit up straight with your legs in the lotus position or crossed. Place your hands, palms up, on your knees and begin to breath slowly at a steady pace. This pose is common for early morning or afternoon stress release and can help reduce blood pressure and tension. 

You can do these poses in rotation or try them as a standalone pose to help with immediate stress in the body. Each pose should be held for at least thirty seconds and up to two minutes depending on your breathing techniques and your flexibility. 
