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Yoga: Improve your stress management and relaxation skills
Gaining stress relief and other health benefits from yoga
Yoga offers a good tool for stress management and relaxation. Left unchecked, stress can lead to a variety of health problems, including headache, insomnia, back pain, burnout, weight gain, anger and substance abuse. Yoga, with its quiet, precise movements can draw your focus away from your busy, chaotic day and more on the calming moment as you move your body through poses that require balance and concentration.
But the benefits of yoga surpass stress relief. Other health benefits of yoga may include:
- Increased flexibility. As you learn and refine new poses — such as touching your toes — you'll find that each time you practice, you can reach a little farther. Increased range of motion means you're less likely to injure yourself in other physical endeavors or in your daily activities.
- Management of chronic health conditions. The breathing and relaxation methods used in yoga might help you if you have asthma, carpal tunnel syndrome, depression, low back pain, multiple sclerosis, osteoarthritis of the knees or memory problems. Yoga can also be helpful when combined with other treatments for heart disease and high blood pressure. Yoga, when combined with a vegetarian diet, aerobic exercise and medication, has reduced cardiovascular disease rates and blood pressure levels. However, yoga is not a substitute for traditional medical care and treatment.
- Weight loss. If you're overweight, yoga may help you make the healthy lifestyle changes necessary to drop those extra pounds.
- Balance. Yoga classes tailored for older adults can help them stay steady on their feet and avoid falls and hip fractures.
- Coping with cancer. People with cancer and their caregivers who practice yoga may improve their quality of life and sleep better at night.
- Alzheimer's caregiver stress and fatigue. Yoga practice may help family caregivers by boosting their mood and improving their ability to cope and manage stress.
While you shouldn't expect yoga to cure you, it can help some health conditions when combined with treatment recommended by your doctor. And if you already enjoy good health, yoga can be an enjoyable supplement to your regular exercise routine.
Taking precautions before starting yoga
Yoga, overall, is generally considered very safe. But there are some situations in which yoga can pose a risk. Check with your doctor or other health care provider before starting a new yoga program. This is especially important if you have certain health conditions, such as joint problems or a history of low back or neck pain. You may need to avoid certain yoga positions depending on your condition because of the undue strain it may cause.
Also see your health care provider before you begin yoga if you have any of the following conditions or situations, since complications can arise:
- High blood pressure that's difficult to control
- A risk of blood clots
- Eye conditions, including glaucoma
- Osteoporosis
- Pregnancy
- Artificial joints
You may be able to practice yoga in these situations if you take certain precautions. For instance, if you're pregnant, avoid any poses that put pressure on your uterus, such as those that require you to twist at the waist.
Finding a yoga class
If you've decided to try yoga for stress management or relaxation, look around for classes in your area to see what's offered. You can also learn yoga from books and videos. But beginners usually find it helpful to learn with an instructor. Classes also offer camaraderie and friendship, which are also important to overall well-being.
When you find a class that sounds interesting, contact the instructor and get all of your questions answered so that you know what to expect. Questions to ask can include:
- What are the instructor's qualifications? Where did he or she learn yoga, and how long has he or she been teaching?
- Does the instructor have experience working with students with your needs or health concerns? If you have a sore knee or an aching shoulder, can the instructor help you find poses that won't aggravate your condition?
- Is the class suitable for beginners? Will it be easy enough to follow along if it's your first time? Can you observe a class before signing up?
- What is the focus of the class? Is it aimed at your needs, such as stress management or relaxation, or is it geared for people who want to reap other benefits?
- What do you need to take along to class? Some classes require you to bring a mat or towel to sit or stand on while doing poses. Other classes will provide a mat.
At the end of a yoga class, you should feel invigorated, yet relaxed and calm. If this isn't the case, talk to your instructor. He or she might have suggestions for you. Otherwise there may be another yoga class better suited to your needs for stress management and relaxation.
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