Yoga For Your Happy Soul

In our fast paced lives of being mothers most days spent running around trying to beat the clock.  But I have realized in my life that I need to take a few minutes (and I mean few) to regroup and bring my stress level down. Making sure you take some time to recollect yourself is important; for some people an afternoon coffee or reading a few minutes before bed is just what they need, for me a few minutes of Yoga helps make my day go a lot smoother.  Here are a few of my favorite poses to Ease My Mind and Lower My Stress and Fuel My Soul:

Childs Pose:  This is kind of an obvious one since it is considered a resting position.  It quiets your mind and gently stretches your back and is like a little time out for the body.

Get on the floor in kneeling position; touch your toes together, sit on your heels and then open up your thighs. On an exhale bend from the hips down stretches your arm out with palms facing down.  You can hold this pose from 30 seconds to 3 minutes breathing easy.

Standing Forward Bend:  Along with reducing stress this pose is said to alleviate menopause, fatigue and mild depression.  It stretches your hamstring, thighs and hips.

Stand up tall with feet together, on an exhale bend from the hips reaching your palms to the floor.  With each exhale lengthen you back. This pose can be held from 30 seconds to 1 minute.  Be sure to bend back up from the hips.

Cobra Pose:  This is actually my number one favorite pose for my back and neck.  This pose also relieves fatigue and is said to soothe asthma.

Lie face down on the floor, pressing your feet, shins, thighs and hips to the floor.  Press your palms to the floor on your side near your chest and lightly squeeze your elbows in.  On an inhale lift your chest off the floor rounding your back.  Hold this pose 15 to 30 seconds, releasing on an exhale.

Dolphin Pose:  I find this pose very relaxing, giving me that little extra brain flow.  It is said to help alleviate menopause and menstrual symptoms as well as headaches.

Kneel down on all fours placing your forearms down on the floor and stacking (not interlacing) your hands.  Tuck your toes under and on an exhale lift knees up and ankles in so your feet are flat on the ground.  Hold your head between your arms without letting it hang heavy. This pose can be held for 30 seconds.  Make sure you release by bending your knees onto the floor on an exhale.

Seated Forward Bend: I often find myself having trouble sleeping.  This pose is thought to help with insomnia along with reducing anxiety.

Sit on the floor with legs extended out and feet relaxed, sitting up lengthening the torso.  Place palms to the floor next to your hips.  On an inhale bend from the hips lengthening back  and reaching arms out towards your feet keeping elbows straight.  While breathing lengthen the torso on inhales and pushing into the bend on exhales. You can hold this pose 1-3 minutes and be sure to pull torso up on exhale to release.

Salutation Seal Pose:  This pose is said to increase awareness, decrease anxiety and open up the heart.

Sit on the floor in a modified “crisscross applesauce” where you place the out portion of your toes in between the opposite thigh and calf.  Place your palms together firmly with equal pressure with thumbs out resting on your sternum lifting chest into the thumbs lengthening your back.  You can breath easy in this position for 5 minutes clearing your mind.

Your kids can also try modified versions to do with you, my kids love telling people they do yoga!  Also check out www.yogajournal.com for some other great poses.  I love this website; you can look up poses by your need! So, the next time your day has you running in circles take a few minutes out to do one or all of these poses. The chaos can a few minutes while you regroup and calm down.


XOXO

Angela & Erica



Note: We are not licensed yoga instructors or advanced students.  These poses were based on our personal preferences only.  Be Sure to check with your doctor before participating in any new activity.