{"id":22326,"date":"2023-11-06T13:38:37","date_gmt":"2023-11-06T13:38:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/movementformodernlife.com\/blog\/?p=22326"},"modified":"2023-12-19T22:59:23","modified_gmt":"2023-12-19T22:59:23","slug":"relaxing-yoga-poses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/movementformodernlife.com\/blog\/relaxing-yoga-poses\/","title":{"rendered":"The Most Relaxing Yoga Poses to Unwind | Helen Krag"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Constantly being ‘on the go’ can play havoc with our mind and body. We need to make time to rest. Helen Krag shares how to unwind with relaxing yoga poses<\/a>.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Read more about yoga for stress and anxiety in this complete guide<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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When we are in a heightened state of stress and \u2018busy-ness\u2019 some of our bodily processes, such as digestion, may be de-prioritised. Our natural balance is disrupted and we start to feel out of whack. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is only when we move into stillness, truly pause in our lives, that we can tune in and restore the equilibrium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cMany of us have been running all our lives. Practice stopping.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thich Nhat Hanh<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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\u2018Relaxing\u2019 – both in terms of what it is to feel relaxed, and what it takes to release us into a state of relaxation – is different for different people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For many, the \u2018relaxation\u2019 segment at the end of a yoga class may be the most challenging aspect. The invitation is to \u2018let go’, yet all too often we find ourselves grappling with a busy mind or clinging on to tension in the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article we explore the most relaxing yoga poses to bring us to stillness and enable us to unwind, letting go of tension. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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COMBINE <\/strong>RELAXING YOGA POSES<\/strong> WITH A RESTFUL FOCUS<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We may have learned as children that sitting still is a challenging thing to do. The temptation to fidget can be overwhelming! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even as adults, the moment we attempt to sit down and rest is often the very moment we remember that important chore we had forgotten to do! So, it can be helpful to focus on something else<\/em> to ease us into relaxation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are three relaxing yoga poses, each combined with a short practice, to help us come to stillness:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Effortless Rest Pose<\/a> with a breathing<\/a> exercise.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Salamba Savasana (Supported Corpse Pose)<\/a> with an audio such as a yoga nidra<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Sukhasana (Easy Pose)<\/a> with meditation<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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    Effortless Rest Pose <\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Lying down on the back with the knees bent may be more comfortable on the lower back for some than in a traditional Savasana<\/a> posture. Learn to breathe<\/a> in the most relaxed way possible in this Relaxed Breath Practice<\/a> with Naomi Absalom<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Salamba Savasana (Supported Corpse Pose<\/strong>)<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Savasana <\/a>calms the brain, invites introspection and quietens down the nervous system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Make sure you are warm and use props to feel completely comfortable. You may want to position a bolster under your knees or have a blanket beneath your head and neck (to the level of the shoulders). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Cover your eyes with a mask if you like. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Combine relaxing yoga poses<\/a> with your choice of a yoga nidra<\/a> to ease the body and mind into relaxation: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Yoga Nidra: Welcome Home to Yourself<\/a> with Uma Dinsmore-Tuli<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    A yoga n<\/a>idra<\/a> to welcome you home to yourself just as you are, right now.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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    Yoga Nidra for Relaxation<\/a> with Vidya Heisel<\/a>. Melt tension in your body by rotating your consciousness and awareness.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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    You might listen to a Guided Rest<\/a> audio \u2026<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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    or Sound Healing: Letting Go<\/a> with Kirsty Norton<\/a> while practising relaxing yoga poses.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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    Sukhasana (Easy Pose<\/strong>)<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    This cross-legged seated pose<\/a> is a common meditation<\/a> posture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    It induces cal<\/a>m<\/a> because it both activates the relaxation response in the body and deactivates the stress <\/a>response. Despite its name, not everyone finds it \u2018easy\u2019 to sit in this position, so be sure to seat yourself on block(s) or use a cushion if you need it to ensure your spine remains upright and lengthened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Combine Easy Pose<\/a> with this meditation \u2013 Blissful Awareness<\/a>, with Ava Riby-Williams<\/a> \u2013 to balance the soothing and intense energies within.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Learn Sukhasana in this Easy Pose Tutorial<\/a> with Andrew McGonigle<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The tutorial takes the pose into a forward fold, which creates a sense of safety as the front of the body is protected. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Forward folds are relaxing yoga poses that can calm the mind, help reduce stress and reduce blood pressure.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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    RELAXING YOGA POSES: COURSES<\/a> AND CLASSES<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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    For sink-into-the-floor relaxation, take this 30-Day Ultimate Relaxation Yoga Course<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    It comprises a range of relaxing yoga classes<\/a>, each 20 minutes and under, across a variety of yoga styles. Expect to sleep better, boost your immune system and increase your energy and focus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    If you have more time available, these three classes with Vanessa Michielon<\/a> feature a variety of relaxing yoga poses on different themes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    This Slow Flow to De-Stress and Unwind<\/a> aims to release tension in areas where we commonly hang on to it such as our shoulders<\/a>, neck and chest.  <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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    Forward folds have a calming<\/a> effect on the nervous system whilst stretching the back of the body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Unwind Tension<\/a> combines floor-based forward folds with breathwork<\/a> to release habitual tension patterns.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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    Slow Down and Unwind for Deep Rest<\/a> features seated and supine postures which open the hips<\/a>. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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    Gentle Yoga to Unwind<\/a> with Sally Parkes<\/a> features floor-based Hatha yoga<\/a> asana to unravel the upper body, especially the chest area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Beginners 4: Twist to Unwind<\/a> with Clare Beagley<\/a> sounds like a contradiction in terms, but simple twisting postures can help us feel more grounded and re-energised.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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    Resting in the Yin<\/a> with Norman Blair<\/a> offers plenty of relaxing yoga poses<\/a> to practise before bed <\/a>or when we are feeling scattered or overwhelmed. <\/p>\n<\/div>

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    Read more in Yoga for Stress and Anxiety: A Complete Guide<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    YOUR NEXT STEPS<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    You can read more about relaxing yoga poses here:<\/p>\n\n\n\n