How to Treat Stress with Yoga

Stress is a pesky little enemy, manifesting itself in many ways--through breakouts and hives on your skin, internally through high blood pressure and ulcers and outwardly in your behavior, causing you to be labeled as “short-tempered” or “high-strung” by others. Fortunately, for as many ways as it can appear, you can find effective ways to deal with it. Yoga is a great choice. With even just one session, you will find that stress has been eliminated from your body-aches and pains can disappear. With continued practice, you can reduce your stress levels and increase your immune system along with your flexibility. Not all yoga is created equally, so it’s important for you to find a class that fits your needs.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Comfortable yoga clothes
• <br>Money for your first class
• <br>Internet connection to research the best type of yoga class for you

1. Decide which type of yoga is best matched for your personality type. If you consider yourself more of a “Type A personality” and feel you’d benefit from a rigorous and intense workout, try a bikram (aka hot yoga) class. You take it in a heated classroom and literally sweat out your stress. Or try Iyengar yoga that emphasizes holding postures for long periods of time. This will literally force you to slow down and relax.

2. If you prefer a more meditative form of the practice, Kripalu yoga is the Sanskrit word meaning “compassion” and its approach is just that-gentle and compassionate. Participants are often told to only stretch as far as they can and to do only what they feel up to at the moment. You won’t be forced into headstands and pretzel twists here.

3. Take the time to focus on your breathing and stretching throughout class. These are those two key things that will allow the stress to dissipate from your body.

4. Go as often as you can afford-buy weekly or monthly passes at a discount. The more you give your body the opportunity to rid itself of stress, the better you will fell at work, at home and in life.

Tips & Warnings

• Call ahead and see if you can chat with the instructor, asking questions about their philosophy, teaching style and the atmosphere they set in the classroom.
• Always do just as much as you are able to--do not push yourself too hard when you first begin or you risk injury.

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