Monthly Archives: January 2014

Asana, Back Pain, How To, Stress Relief, Wellness, Yoga, Yoga Pose

Uttanasana – Standing Forward Fold

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After a long work day, we can all use some release in our backs. Especially if you sit at a desk all day!

IMG_1357Uttanasana

Forward folds have many benefits, they calm the nervous system, activating the parasympathetic system, our rest and digest function. They also stretch out the hamstrings which is great for releasing the low back – alleviating back pain. To sum it up, they are relaxing and feel amazing!

Start standing in Tadasana (Mountain Pose), with feet either hip distance apart or touching. Keeping your legs straight, lifting through the kneecaps and quads, hinge forward from your hips, leading with your heart and keeping your back as straight as possible. When you can’t fold any further, bring your hands to your shins, the floor, or wrap them behind your legs. Let your head and neck relax, and move your shoulders away from your ears. Breathe deeply and enjoy!

Yoga

How Yoga Relieves Stress

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Happy Monday Yogis!

Practicing Yoga has so many benefits for our bodies, minds and spirits. One of my favorite aspects of Yoga is the huge amount of Stress Relief it provides! Read on to learn more about how Yoga helps relieve stress.

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With the ever moving, updating and beeping world of technology we live in today, our bodies are constantly in the mode of fight or flight. This is our sympathetic nervous system at work, raising our blood pressure and hormone levels in case of impending danger. But what our bodies don’t know is, we are not actually in danger every moment of every day! Our bodies response systems have not changed much in thousands of years, but the world we live in sure has.

During Yoga, we go internal and focus on our breath, tuning out the external influences in our lives, the past and future worries. Our bodies start to work in the parasympathetic nervous system, our rest and digest function. This reduces our hormone levels, including cortisol, the primary stress inducing hormone.

It doesn’t hurt that every practice ends with Savasana! The ultimate reward and relaxation after a tough physical practice. I encourage you to step on your mat and give your mind and body a much needed break!