Who would have thought a few simple poses would alleviate headaches, back pain and other pains that many people suffer through? I was totally blown away when I learned that practicing yoga would get rid of my headaches. Had I known this many years ago, I never would have suffered body-dropping headaches as a teen. Here are a few simple moves to rid your pain for the New Year.
Headaches, Stress, and Anxiety
Are headaches, stress, and anxiety menaces to your daily activities? Try coming into a kneeling position, sitting on your legs, on the floor. Inhale deeply and exhale, leaning forward to rest your forehead on the floor for five or ten breaths. Your arms are resting limply at your sides. Continue to breathe deeply, imagining that you are exhaling your breath directly into the troubled area. When you are ready to come out of this pose, inhale deeply and slowly raise your head from the floor.
Back Pain?
Try lying on your back, on the floor. Inhale deeply and as you exhale, hug your knees to your chest. Hold this position for five to ten breaths as you rock from side to side to massage your lower back against the floor. To come out of the pose, on an exhale, release your legs to the floor and lie flat on your back, breathing smoothly for another five to ten breaths before turning to your right side to rise slowly to a comfortable sitting position. Try this as many times as you need to throughout the day.
Another excellent pose for back pain is lying prostrate on the floor (at full length). Begin inhaling and exhaling deeply. On an inhale, raise your arms and legs to your own degree and hold for a breath or two. Then release and let them down on an exhale. Try this as many times as you like. To come out, inhale to your hands and knees.
Hip Pain?
Feeling stiffness in your hip-joint whenever you rise from sitting to walk? Try this easy pose and feel the pain disappear. Sit on the floor with your legs crossed (crisscross applesauce). Sit tall, inhaling deeply and then exhale as you walk your hands out in front of you (to your own degree). Continue to breathe deeply for five to ten breaths. When you're ready to come out of this pose, inhale as you walk your hands back into your body and rise slowly from the floor.
Practice these poses as often as you can and discover the new calm, and pain-free you for the New Year.
