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Turn upside down to release stress

But don’t worry . . . you don’t have to hang by your feet or stand on your head. You can invert yourself easily and safely without going to any extremes (although you are welcome to stand on your head if you already have been taught how to do so in a safe manner).

Inversions, in yoga, are thought to (literally) cool the body down, so they are great for summer. Their cooling effects don’t stop there, however. These poses can help you “cool” down when you’re angry or stressed out, regardless of the cause.

So, if you’re feeling a little too hot under the collar, you can try one of the following poses a try (if your physician says you are healthy enough for mild exercise—disclaimer!). If you feel at all dizzy or ill, take a break, slowly come to seated and rest.

1)      Wall hang: Bring your back to a wall. Lean against the wall, but walk your feet away from the wall until they arrive at a comfortable spot.  With hands on hips, slowly bend over until you are hanging in a standing forward bend. You can support yourself by placing your hands on your thighs, shins, or ankles, on a block or other sturdy object, or—if you are flexible enough—put your fingertips on the floor. Breathe deeply and hold the pose for five to 10 breaths (or even up to a minute or two, if you like it).

2)      Seated forward bend: Sit cross-legged. Push the bottom foot a little bit away from the body until it is no longer trapped underneath the top leg. Inhale and bring your arms straight up above your head. On your exhalation, keeping your spine long and flat (don’t curve or arch your back), slowly come forward, moving from your hip joints. Reach as far away from your body as you can, and then bring your hands to your legs, the floor, a block, or hold onto your toes (again, all depending upon your flexibility). Remember not to bend your spine in the middle. Try to relax your body and breath, making yourself as loose as a rag doll. You can even imagine your body as a balloon. When a balloon is filled with air, it holds more tension and stays stiffer. Exhale and allow your body/balloon to release its air, becoming limp and floppy. Breathe deeply and hold the pose for five to 10 breaths (or even up to a minute or two, if you like it).  Switch sides and repeat.

3)      Child’s pose: This is a classic yoga relaxation pose. Start by coming onto your hands and knees. Next, try to lower your buttocks as close as you can to your heels. If you have “bad” knees, feel free to either skip this pose, stay up higher, or place a rolled up towel in the back of the knee joint (to hold the angle of your knees wider). Reach as far out in front of you as you can, lowering the hands to the floor. Next, slowly lower your head onto the floor or mat, as well. Rest and relax for as long as you like, breathing deeply.

 

 

Stay cool!

Namaste (“The light within me bows to and honors the light within you.”),

 

Brianna Politzer Stevens

 

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Yoga classes: Sunday, 5:15-6:15 p.m. and Monday 12:00-1:00 p.m. at Castro Valley Yoga (http://www.cvyoga.com)