5 Reasons To Practice Yoga For Chronic Stress

By Faye Martins

Stress is one of the most common ailments of the modern age. People have busy schedules, lots of responsibilities and a variety of worries in their lives. One of the best ways to relieve stress is to practice yoga. Many studies have confirmed the effectiveness of yoga for chronic stress. Let's look at some of the ways that yoga is beneficial for relaxation and stress management.

1. Promotes Healthy Circulation and Release of Endorphins

Any form of vigorous exercise can be useful for managing stress. Exercise keeps the mind occupied, promotes healthy circulation and causes endorphins to release in the brain. There are many styles of yoga, and each has its own particular benefits. Some people prefer a slower, more meditative type of yoga while others want a more challenging workout. However, practicing any authentic type of yoga on a regular basis is helpful for reducing stress.
2. Promotes Deep Breathing

All forms of yoga require practitioners to pay attention to their breathing. Deep and controlled breathing allows the body to absorb more oxygen. This is not only healthy for the entire body, it promotes calmness and a more balanced state of mind. The breathing techniques learned in yoga class can be applied to everyday life as well. Learning how to breathe deeply in stressful situations is one of the best ways to feel more relaxed quickly.

3. Yoga is a Form of Active Meditation

Certain yoga schools have meditations at the beginning and/or end of the class. Yet all yoga has a meditative quality. Unlike most other forms of exercise, which tend to be performed quickly, yoga poses are held for a certain length of time. As the practitioner holds the pose, he or she is encouraged to relax and breathe deeply. This form of exercise stretches the muscles and ligaments and it also helps the mind to release stress.

4. Helps the Muscles Relax

Tension in the body is transferred to the mind. People who carry a lot of tension in their shoulders, back and muscles tend to feel stressed out. Yoga poses are designed to release tension in these areas. That's why people typically feel both relaxed and invigorated after yoga classes. When the body lets go of tension, the mind and emotions also experience relief.

5. Promotes Restful Sleep

Many people who experience chronic stress have trouble sleeping. Yoga is a form of exercise that can help people sleep more restfully. One of the causes of insomnia is a sedentary lifestyle. Certain times of intense exercise, however, are so stimulating that they can actually make it harder to sleep, especially if they are performed too late in the day. Yoga is a form of exercise that can be practiced at any time of day and still help practitioners have a good night's sleep.

Because many people experience stress nowadays, there is the need to find effective ways to relax. Yoga has the advantage of being a simple, natural and healthy way to reduce stress. In order to gain the maximum benefits of yoga for chronic stress, it's best to practice or take classes at least a few times per week.

Faye Martins, is a Yoga teacher and a graduate of the Yoga teacher training program at: Aura Wellness Center in, Attleboro, MA.