5 Balancing Yoga Poses to help De-stress and Relax your Mind

We all know what it is like to be stressed, or overwhelmed. Being in this state often makes it challenging to get our never ending to do list completed, and ultimately will overwhelm us even more.

Let it allll go
One of the ways I use my yoga practice is to reduce stress, and calm my mind. They help me lighten up. Of course meditation and yoga, and other exercises are great for a over active mind, you will begin to learn to respond more calmly to challenging situations. Balancing poses provide these mini challenges, that will help us practice our scene of calmness off the yoga mat. In addition to de-stressing and relaxation, I will indicate some additional benefits that each of these 5 moves bring you. I have personally found that the following poses will help you create a calmer, happier, and more relaxed version of yourself! 

1. Tree Pose: 
Tree pose is the standing pose of surrender. I encourage you to truly let go, you are not a statue, and do not have to be perfectly still, you can embrace the movement that is your body adjusting to remained balanced. 

Tip: Imagine that you have roots! (I know it sounds silly) but like a tree, that you are growing from the soles of your feet into the earth beneath. Remember to breathe!

Additional Benefits: Tree pose increases balance, focus, memory and concentration and strengthens the ankles and knees.

Contraindications: Recent or chronic knee or hip injury.
MODIFICATIONS + VARIATIONS

Modifications: A) Bring the arms out to the sides for more stability. B) Practice next to a wall, placing a hand on the wall for support.

2. Warrior 3

The reason many people love Warrior 3 is because it is not easy. Even if you have been practicing for years, it can still yank your chain if you hold it for longer than 20 seconds. And it is one of those poses that often makes you forget to breath. This pose requires strength and determination to hold, but honestly, frowning or grunting doesnt make it any easier. Maintaining calm, smooth and breathing will allow you to focus on this pose.

Tip: While you need the core to be engaged, you dont want to squeeze so much that you restrict your ability to breathe properly. 

Additional Benefits: Warrior III improves balance, memory and concentration, and tones and invigorates the whole body.

Contraindications: Recent or chronic injury to the legs, hips, back or shoulders.
MODIFICATIONS + VARIATIONS

Variations: A) Hold on to opposite elbows with the arms over your head. B) Bring the arms out to the sides. C) Place your hands on your hips.

3. Crow Pose

Crow can be really challenging for a lot of people, however, we want a decent challenge to practice our calm responses. Over time you will begin to see yourself responding more positively in the heat of the moment. Approach this pose slowly, and with a lot of acceptance, if you dont get to the point you were hoping for. If lift-off in Crow is easy for you, see if you can keep the breath calm and relaxed as you move in and out of the pose. 

Tip: Place cushions or blankets out in front of you. Fear of falling on our faces can limit your potential of this pose.  

Additional Benefits: Tones the abdominal wall. Strengthens abdominal organs to aide in lower back pain and indigestion. Strengthens arms. Opens the groin. Strengthens the wrists! 

4. Standing Twist Balance

This is a relatively straightforward pose, but adding the twist and taking the gaze away from the security of a spot straight ahead means we really need to focus, stilling the mind. Feel the rotation happen from your navel and rib cage, as you open your heart. Again, remember to breathe! 

Tip: Try your best to keep your weight evenly distributed across that standing foot to help with your balance. 

Additional Benefits: Challenging and invigorating balance posture with many benefits: Stretches hamstrings and hips Stretches adductors Strengthens back and arm muscles Improves sense of balance Calms the mind and improves focus. 

5. Half Moon

Stress can cause us to take things really seriously, so approaching Half Moon in a playful way is best. Of course we all want to hold the pose and dont want to fall, but as soon as you are ok with toppling over out of this pose, it will become a bit easier for you to hold.

Tip: Smile.... Seriously it will help you relieve your stress! :)

Additional Benefits: Half Moon pose improves balance, focus, concentration, and confidence. This posture opens the hips and strengthens the ankles, knees and lower body.

Contraindications: Recent or chronic injury to the legs, hips, shoulders or back.
MODIFICATIONS + VARIATIONS

Modifications: A) Use a yoga brick under the hand. B) Practice against a wall, leaning the back, head and legs against the wall for support.

Variations: Have the lower hand 1-2 inches above the floor balancing completely on the standing leg.

Photo Credit : Google and sites like Yoga Journal and Yoga Basics - it is not easy to complete each and every one of these poses while trying to take images of myself, otherwise they would all my mine!