The holiday season is typically a very busy and stressful time of the year for many. Because of this, yoga practice is the perfect activity. Not only can yoga help to calm your nerves and reduce your overall stress levels, but it can help your physical health as well. This is vital for anyone who indulges just a little bit when it comes to eating during the holidays. The following are a few yoga poses that are particularly beneficial during the holidays:
1. The empty coat sleeves pose
Plant your feet so that they are slightly wider than shoulder distance apart. Turn your heels in towards one another so that your toes point out. Gently twist your upper body from side to side, allowing your arms to hang loose to the sides. Your arms should flop against your front and your back as you twist.
This movement will help to massage the lymph nodes in the groin and armpit areas. This will help boost your immunity, remove cellular waste and promote healing. It’s also meant to be soothing for your nervous system.
2. The revolved chair pose
Chair pose is basically a squat that you hold while your hands are in a prayer position in front of your chest. Revolved chair pose requires that you twist to one side while in your chair pose so that your elbow hooks your opposite knee. Your lower body should remain facing forward while your upper body twists to the side. Try to hold this position for ten breaths, looking up towards the ceiling as you do so. You’ll want to repeat this pose on both sides.
Revolved chair pose can be quite a workout and can cause you to sweat – especially if you’ve done a number of other poses beforehand. Sweat is one of the ways that your body gets rid of toxins, which means it’s good to sweat. The pose itself also helps to massage, squeeze and clean your abdominal organs, thereby improving how your liver, kidneys, and intestines process waste.
3. The dead bug pose
This pose is a great way to end a yoga session or any exercise session for that matter. Lay on your back and raise your arms and legs into the air. Then wiggle every limb and digit, shaking everything out. If you’re in a private space where you won’t disturb anyone, scream while you are doing this. This allows a full physical and mental release. Keep doing this pose for one to seven minutes. Once you finish, lay down on your back in Shavasana pose for ten minutes.
The dead bug pose allows you to shake out any bits of stress that still remain in your body after your practice. Because it’s a full release, performing this pose allows you to detoxify your body.
There are many different yoga poses that can benefit your physical and mental health. These are three yoga poses that are particularly effective for dealing with the stress of the holidays.