For me, yoga is like therapy – both physical and mental. When I’m sore, when I’m tired, when I’m frustrated or sad, yoga seems to help me heal and get my groove back. Before I get to today’s poses, don’t forget to check out my yoga recommendations, as well as the Yoga Quickie routine I did last year. It’s only 5 minutes.
Here are some poses and routines that I turn to…
- Yoga for a headache. This is the simplest pose I will suggest today. Legs up the wall pose is great for headaches. The pose is simple – place a towel by the wall; lie on your back with your hips/butt on the towel; put your legs up the wall. Close your eyes, breathe, and relax. Stay in the pose for 5 minutes (or more). If you want more intensity, pile a few towels instead of just one.
- Yoga for energy. I like bridge pose to re-energize. Exhale as you push your pelvis up towards the ceiling. You can stay in the pose for about a minute, breathing deeply. To release, exhale and slowly roll your spine back onto the ground. You should feel revitalized and stimulated.
- Yoga for sore feet. Take off your shoes as soon as you get in the house. Go barefoot as often as you can. And step into downward facing dog pose a few times every day. I do this pose in my kitchen, my living room, and even at the office when I’m there alone.
Press your heels towards the ground – you can bend your knees to facilitate this. Your shoulders should stay down your back (meaning they should lift up towards the ceiling). Think about putting your shoulder blades into your back pockets. - Yoga for depression. When you’re feeling down after a rough day, child’s pose can ease your mind and improve your mood. Spread your knees and sink back into your hips. Breathe deeply and enjoy the stillness.
- Yoga for a backache. I sit at a desk all day long. I stare at a screen work, for my hobbies (this blog), for reading news, and even when I’m learning something new. When my back aches, I add in an extended triangle pose to my routine.
In the pose, your inner thighs should be pulling towards each other. Stretch your arm towards the ceiling and look past your thumb. Stretch your arm parallel to the floor by your ear (keeping your shoulder down) for an extra stretch. Stay in the pose for 5 deep breaths.
Tune in later for 5 more ailments – including yoga for stress and yoga for tummyaches. It’ll be good; I promise.
What yoga do you do to feel better? What’s your favorite pose?
Oh, I’d love to learn the yoga for tummyaches….because my friend always CONSTANTLY have tummyaches, and I would love to teach the pose to her.
And as for the yoga for stress, that’s gonna be for me. 😉
OH yes, I often turn to yoga poses for various ailments. Child’s pose really does help with depression. Rabbit pose is very soothing for me too. I get a nervous stomach sometimes, and I’m not sure what would help with that. I also get lots of upper neck tension and lower back aches…and I haven’t found what really helps with that. I do love lying on my back and swinging my legs to each side. Or lying flat and pulling up one leg (finger around my big toe). I read in Yoga Journal that’s good for lower back problems.
Thanks for this 🙂
Triangle pose is my favorite pose I think. It just always makes me feel really, really good. I’ll have to keep legs up the wall in mind for headaches!
That is so cool, I had no idea that the different yoga poses can do different things for us like that! Can’t wait to learn more 🙂
Awesome post! I definitely see yoga as both a physical and mental therapy too. I like how you explained how certain poses can help with certain things. I never thought of bridge as re-energizing but now that I think about it it totally is. My favorite pose for when I am stressed, tired, overwhelmed or have a headache is just a simple standing forward bend. So relaxing.
Happy Monday Maggie!
You know, I really never did yoga outside of swimming, simply because I get bored soooo easily…which is odd because you think I’d get bored swimming marathons haha anyhoo, I think I might try some of these poses…especially the headache one. Work gives me a migraine these days haha
Maggie,
I love ALL these poses…OK, well maybe not bridge. 😉
Nothing like a good child’s pose or half tortoise. Love that one when I can’t seem to fall asleep.
I love all those poses, everything in yoga makes me feel better 🙂
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