How Does Yoga Help?
Yoga Sequences Shift Your Mood
Every yoga class is designed with a specific yoga sequence that contains poses or series of poses to alter your mood. The following explains the purpose of each part of a yoga sequence, and what your body might feel during them + examples of poses.
Beginning and End of Class
Meditative/Intuitive. Calm and tune into your body.
Sun Salutations
Heat and rid of toxins. Helps rid of anxieties. The connection of the breath with the single movements and flow of these repeated movements helps to calm and reconnect your mind with your body.
Standing Positions
For strength and focus. (Focusing is so hard when you first start!)
Balancing Poses
To help focus. Yogi’s often say to “ground or center.”
Hip Openers
To release stress (most of our stress lies in our hips) **tears or frustrated feels are normal here**
Heart Openers
Allows more space for the breath. Can be an emotional release. These include backbends. **tears are o.k. here xox*
Twists
Rids of toxins. Adds moisture to the spine.
Forward Folds
To relax. ***Held forward folds are good for some types of anxiety and panic, but not for depression
Inversions
Change your perspective. Helps boost mood.
Savasana
Teaches full relaxation.
Your First
Yoga Assignment!
Make a playlist of your favorite music that calms you (and doesn’t bring up bad memories.)
Clear a space for your yoga practice in your home. Make it look pretty and smell nice.
Pick a candle for your practice.
P.S. Currently, I like to listen to Local Natives, 'Hummingbird' album during my practice.
An excerpt from TheStrangeIsBeautiful.com ∆