Movement is another foundation of total wellness. When we move our bodies, it helps to relieve stress, release tension and increase energy. Here are a few tips using breathing and simple yoga poses to nourish and nurture yourself. This in turn will dramatically increase your capacity for self-care and your ability to consciously affect healing in mind, body and spirit.
- Cleansing Breath to Relieve Tension/Stress:
- In through the nose, out through the mouth
- repeat 3 to 5 times
- Belly Breath (diaphragmatic breathing) To Relieve Tension:
- long, smooth, deep breath; expand on the inhale and relax on the exhale bringing the belly back toward the spine
- do for 3 to 5 minutes
- Alternate Nostril Breath To Energize:
- hold the right thumb over right nostril, inhale deeply through left nostril, at the peak of inhalation, close the left nostril with the ring finger, then exhale through the right nostril
- continue the pattern, switching between the two fingers, closing off the right then the left
- this brings energetic balance and unites the right and left sides of the brain
- Legs up the Wall To Relieve Tension:
- lie on your side with your bottom next to the wall then slowly lift your legs along the wall, rolling on to your back so your legs are parallel to the wall; to release, gently push away from the wall
- alternately, lie on the floor with your legs resting on the seat of a chair
- do for 5 to 10 minutes
- Lay on a Blanket Lengthwise Along Spine To Energize:
- roll a blanket up and then lay on it with your arms about 45 degrees from your body
- support your head with another blanket or small pillow; you want a firm support for this
- do for 5 to 10 minutes; breath should be slow and steady
Please consult with your healthcare provider before engaging in any activity.