In these uncertain times, it’s pretty common to feel anxious. And it can be really hard to pull yourself out of that place when so much is still unknown. While not a cure-all, this simple yoga sequence can help calm your busy mind so you can find a moment of peace.
POSE 1: Child’s Pose
How to do it: Bring your big toes together to touch behind you. Sink your hips back toward your heels (you can use blocks, blankets or even a pillow beneath your seat if this is at all uncomfortable). Allow your belly to rest on your thighs and stretch your arms out in front of you. Rest your forehead on your mat and take 10, slow, steady breaths.
Benefits: Child’s pose is very grounding and a great place to start just about any yoga sequence. It signals the mind and body that it is time to focus and slow down.
POSE 2: Seated Forward Fold
How to do it: Stretch your legs out long in front of you. Inhale, reach your arms overhead. Exhale, bend forward at your hips. Allow your hands to rest somewhere on your legs (doesn’t have to be your feet!) Maintain length in your side bodies, so imagine you’re pressing your heart toward your big toes.
Benefits: Forward folds calm the central nervous system, which is in overdrive when you feel anxious. Seated forward fold also stretches the entire back side of your body, which in our culture tends to be very rounded.
POSE 3: Bridge Pose
How to do it: Lay on your back. Bring the soles of your feet onto the earth so that your knees are directly over your ankles. Inhale, lift your hips away from your mat. Maintain space between your chin and your chest, so imagine lifting your gaze straight upward and slightly back behind you.
Benefits: Bridge pose opens the entire front side of your body, so it’s an excellent counter to seated forward fold. It stretches the chest, abdomen and hip flexors, which tend to be closed off if you work at a desk or spend a lot of time looking at screens. Heart openers like bridge pose help release stress and even mild symptoms of depression.
POSE 4: Legs Up the Wall
How to do it: Place a block or a pillow or a blanket directly beneath your sacrum. (Everybody is different here, so find what placement works best for you!) Rest your shoulders and upper back on your mat and extend your legs up an imaginary wall. Release engagement in your legs and simply allow gravity to do the work.
Benefits: This is a wonderful pose to do anytime, but especially after long periods of standing or sitting. Legs up the wall directs blood flow toward your upper body and head, which can lead to clearer thinking, more energy and an overall boost in your mood.
POSE 5: Savasana
How to do it: While savasana can take any shape you like, we enjoy it done this way… Lay flat on your back with your legs outstretched in front of you. Rest your arms easy at your sides and allow your palms to face upward to receive or down to ground (whatever works best for you!) Blink your eyes closed and allow your thoughts to float away. Stay and breathe for as long or as little time as you like. Ahhhhhh!
Benefits: Savasana calms the brain and helps relieve stress. It relaxes the body, and we all know a relaxed body leads to a peaceful mind. Practicing savasana can also reduce bouts of insomnia, which is often linked to anxiety and depression.