Yoga Asanas to Beat Stress

Yoga has been practiced in India since thousands of years. It is an ancient way to keep body as well as mind fit. Yoga was practiced by ancient seers in India, hence the name yogi. A yogi used to follow the various asanas to achieve discipline, concentration, and good health. Yoga has also proved to be highly successful in relieving stress. Here are some of the Yoga Poses that work as stress busters.

Mountain Pose

This pose helps keep you in focus and places awareness on your feet being connected to the floor, which is very grounding.

1. Stand straight with your feet together.

2. Spread your toes out like a fan.

3. Distribute your weight evenly across both feet.

4. Lift the kneecaps by tightening the thighs.

5. Move your thighs back and tailbone in.

6. Straighten the arms, palms facing in.

7. Pull your shoulder blades back and lift the chest.

8. Keep your neck and shoulders relaxed.

9. Look straight ahead.

Hold for 1 to 2 minutes.

Focus points: Don't just stand passively! Activate every part of your body, from your heels to your head.

Other benefits: Strengthens and tones the whole body. Improves alignment. Creates balance.

Upward Hand Pose

Not only is this standing pose good for relieving tension in the back, but it will give you a sense of lightness in life.

1. Stand with your feet hip distance apart.

2. Lift the kneecaps by tightening the thighs.

3. Roll your shoulders back.

4. Extend the arms forward and lift up.

5. Straighten elbows, wrists and fingers.

6. Relax neck and shoulders.

7. Keep your head straight and look forward.

Hold for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Repeat 3 times.

Focus points: Activate elbows on fingers and really open the chest.

Other benefits: Alleviates stiff shoulders and arms. Releases tension in the upper back.

Foot and Big Toe Pose

This basic pose benefits the whole body and will teach you to be calm and patient.

1. Stand with your feet hip distance apart.

2. Lift the kneecaps by tightening the thighs.

3. Roll the shoulders back and lift the chest.

4. Bend forward starting at the hips.

5. Grab your big toes with thumb and first two fingers.

6. Look forward.

Hold for 30 seconds. Repeat 3 times.

Focus points: Keep legs strong and chest lifted.

Other benefits: Strengthen lower back and hamstrings. Tones belly. Improves digestion.

Downward Facing Dog

This pose calms the brain and will help relieve everyday stress.

1. Place palms on floor in front of you.

2. Step legs back one at a time.

3. Feet should be in line with hands.

4. Spread fingers and press palms down.

5. Stretch arms forward, keep elbows straight.

6. Raise your butt up to sky and move thighs up and back.

7. Lower heels to the floor, feet point straight.

8. Relax your head and back of the neck.

Hold for 30 seconds to 1 minute.

Focus points: Keep legs firm and elbows straight as you lift your derriere to the sky!

Other benefits: Relieves depression. Increases flexibility of hips, knees, and ankles. Calms the mind.

Child's pose

Another brain-calming pose which we all need to keep our sanity intact!

1. Get on hands and knees.

2. Knees hip distance apart. Feet together.

3. Lean back and sit on your heels.

4. Extend arms and torso forward.

5. Rest your forehead on the floor.

6. Stretch arms out in front of you.

7. Press palms into floor and butt into heels.

Hold for 1 to 5 minutes.

Focus points: Stretch out your back. Relax your neck.

Other benefits: Calms nerves. Lowers blood pressure. Releases tension in neck, back, shoulders.

Yogic Calm

Stress has been called the 'silent killer', and for good reason too, as it can lead to heart attack, high blood pressure and many other ailments. In today's world with prevalent pollution, cut throat competition and stressful lifestyles especially in a student's life. So follow these asaanas to lead a stress free life and bring yogic calm in your world.