That’s a YES!
Yoga for Grounding and Calming
Certain Yoga Asanas (Poses) are beneficial in the management of Anxiety which manifests itself as an imbalance in mental and physical states of health.
“Too much in the head”, thinking too much, ruminating on worrying thoughts, regrets, memories or just restlessness, boredom, and lack of stimulation triggers a physical stress response and feeds back into the mental anxiety loop.
It is important to “get out of the head” and get into the body, ground to the earth, and to move the stuck mental energy.
The Chakra System is an energy system which is a great visualizing tool during Yoga and Meditation. Studying the Chakra’s colour, mantra, and traits can intensify our Yoga practice and train our mind to divert from our troubling thoughts.
A Mantra is used as a sound vibration and a concentration tool when the mind wanders. The Mantra has a meaning which when repeated allows the brain to reset itself and stop the mental cycling of the anxiety loop.
A daily Yoga and Meditation routine is a useful Anxiety Interruptor and well-being enhancer and is recommended in most therapeutic programs by professional well-being practitioners worldwide and in some cultures has been practiced for at least 5000 years (recorded).
We already know all that so lets get on with practicing this art and science for ourselves.
It can’t hurt us, can it?
Well actually one can hurt oneself in Yoga by pushing, resisting and exerting too much ego power into the mix.
Yoga is about exploring your own body, mind and spirit.
Yoga is present moment consciousness and that’s why it helps.
Yoga condenses the moment to Here and Now. Yep the Cliché.
Cliché is just that, a truth that is generalised.
So here it is, Yoga works.
Namaste
Root chakra—Mūlādhāra
Root chakra—Mūlādhāra is the chakra of stability, security, and our basic needs. The root chakra is comprised of whatever grounds you to stability in your life. This includes your basic needs such as food, water, shelter, safety, as well as your emotional needs of interconnection, and being fearless. When these needs are met, you feel grounded and safe. It is the most important Chakra as this is the Fundamental (or Mool) Chakra.
Mantra:
LAM
I AM GROUNDED
I AM SAFE
ASANAS/ POSES
WARRIOR
VIRABHADRASANA I
Benefits: Warrior I strengthens the legs, opens the hips and chest and stretches the arms and legs. Warrior I develops concentration, balance and groundedness. This pose improves circulation and respiration and energizes the entire body.
Contraindications: Recent or chronic injury to the hips, knees, back or shoulders.
COW FACE
Gomukhasana
Physical Benefits:
- Induces relaxation.
- Improves posture by increasing energy, awareness, and opening the chest area.
Therapeutic Benefits:
- Alleviate tension, tiredness, and anxiety.
- Relives stiffness of the neck and shoulders.
- Relieves backache, sciatica, rheumatism, and general stiffness in the shoulders and neck.
- Alleviates cramps in the legs and makes the leg muscles supple.
Precautions and Contraindications:
- Serious neck or shoulder problems.
- Knee injury.
TWIST
Ardha Matsyendrasana
Pose Benefits:
- Opens the rib cage and chest
- Enhances digestion and elimination
- Stimulates the liver and kidneys
- Energizes the spine
- Stretches the shoulders, hips, back, and neck
Contraindications:
- Spinal injury
- Back pain and/or injury
- Pregnancy
And finally….
There are squillions of apps, online classes, courses, websites available to the masses now that Yoga is in its shiniest hour but let us always beware of the shadow that co-exists.
We all need to be discerning and note where our ego, our expectations and our intentions are when practising Yoga for self and when choosing a particular course or teacher.
Lets take advantage of this giant wave of magic and practise this mystical wonder that is Yoga..
Namaste
Abundance of Wisdom 