Three Yoga Poses You Should Do Every Day To Release Tension
Salamba Sirsasana (Supported Headstand)
Known as the “king” of the poses, Sirsasana is one of the most beneficial postures you can do every day to combat aging, strengthen the body, improve circulation and calm the mind. The king of all asanas, Sirsasana requires the whole body weight to be on the head. This is not a pose for beginners and you should be very careful when first attempting it, but once you have a steady Sirsasana practice, doing it every day can be extremely beneficial.
Watch this brief yoga video to see how to attempt sirsasana at home:
Benefits:
Calms the brain and helps relieve stress and mild depression
Stimulates the pituitary and pineal glands
Strengthens the arms, legs, and spine
Strengthens the lungs
Tones the abdominal organs
Improves digestion
Helps relieve the symptoms of menopause
Therapeutic for asthma, infertility, insomnia, and sinusitis
Salamba Sarvangasana (Supported Shoulder Stand)
Known as the “queen of the poses,” Salamba Sarvangasana (shoulder stand) is another pose which brings enormous benefits to the body and the mind. It is recommended that we do at least one inversion a day and shoulder stand can prove an excellent alternative to headstand especially if you are new to yoga. The benefits of practicing inversions are many. In general, asanas that position the head below the heart or the feet above the heart bring harmony to body and mind and should be considered a crucial component of any yoga practice.
Watch this brief video to see how to properly practice shoulder stand:
Benefits:
Calms the brain and helps relieve stress and mild depression
Stimulates the thyroid and prostate glands and abdominal organs
Stretches the shoulders and neck
Tones the legs and buttocks
Improves digestion
Helps relieve the symptoms of menopause
Reduces fatigue and alleviates insomnia
Therapeutic for asthma, infertility, and sinusitis
Matsyasana (Fish Pose)
Matsyasana, also known as fish pose, is the counter pose to Salmba Sarvangasana. It is very important that after extending your back in the intense shoulder stands, you counter this movement with a heart opener in order to avoid any back pain. Fish pose represents the perfect counter asana to shoulder stand as it is a gentle heart opener. The pose will leave you feeling energised while at the same time relaxed.
Watch this brief video to see how to properly practice fish pose:
Benefits:
A traditional text claims that Matsyasana is the “destroyer of all diseases”
Stretches the deep hip flexors and the muscles (intercostals) between the ribs
Stretches and stimulates the muscles of the belly and front of the neck
Stretches and stimulates the organs of the belly and throat
Strengthens the muscles of the upper back and back of the neck
Improves posture