5 Poses for Stress Relief

Let’s face it --stress is inevitable. In our daily lives, it’s difficult to avoid any stress, but it’s important to manage, as high levels of stress can impact overall health and wellbeing. While there are many actions you can take to reduce stress (including meditation and creating a calm working environment), one helpful thing you can do is move your body, even just for a few minutes. 

Here are 5 poses to get your body moving and your breath flowing and help reduce stress. The most important element of this stress-relieving flow is your breath! These postures allow you to turn inwards and drown out distractions or frustrations to focus on you, as well as reduce tension in your neck and shoulders. Breathe in to feel supported and breathe out any unwanted stress. 

Child’s Pose (In Sanskrit: Balasana) 

Settles your mind and body and allows you to focus on your breath. Not being able to see around you turns your focus inward to yourself. 

• Open your knees wide and bring your big toes to touch 

• Sit your hips back toward your heels 

• Lengthen your spine and reach your arms forward 

• Spread your fingers wide on the surface below you 

• Rest your head comfortably on the bed, a pillow or blanket 

• ​Take 5-10 deep breaths, in through your nose and out through your mouth  

Eagle Pose (In Sanskrit: Garudasana) 

The deep twisting of Eagle pose reduces stress as it opens your shoulders and releases tension from your neck. Eagle pose also draws your concentration to your balance, tuning you out from external stressors. 

• Come to Chair Pose and cross your right leg over your left  

• Let your right foot hang, press it into the floor like a kickstand, or wrap it around your left ankle  

• Squeeze your inner thighs and lift your chest up  

• Swing your right arm under your left and cross at the elbows and wrists (or wrap your arms around your shoulders like you’re giving yourself a hug)   

• Lift your elbows to shoulder height 

• Take 3-5 deep breaths – if you fall out, get right back into it!   

• ​Repeat on the left side  

Seated Forward Fold (In Sanskrit: Paschimottanasana) 

Turns your attention inward and allows you to focus on yourself and your breath. 

• Extend your legs in front of you, with a slight bend in your knees and your feet flexed 

• Lengthen your spine and sit tall as you hinge your hips forward 

• Reach forward to your feet or ankles 

• Keep your knees bent or for more of a stretch, slowly straighten your legs 

• ​Take 5-10 deep breaths, in through your nose and out through your mouth 

Happy Baby Pose (In Sanskrit: Balasana)  

This pose evokes happiness in its name and allows you to move playfully to reduce stress. 

• Lay on your back, bend your knees and stamp the soles of your feet on the ceiling  

• Grab for the inside edges of your feet, calves or hamstrings –whatever spot allows you to fully release your spine onto your mat 

• Gently pull on your feet, calves or hamstrings to bring your knees closer to your ribcage 

• Breathe evenly and feel the stretch in your hamstrings and hip flexors  

• Option to rock from side to side, or straighten one leg and then the other to change the stretch in your legs 

• ​Stay in this pose for as long as you’d like!  

Corpse Pose (In Sanskrit: Savasana) 

Savasana is the ultimate stress-relieving pose. Surrender into Savasana to quiet your mind completely in this restful posture. 

• Lay flat on your back with your arms relaxed by your sides and your legs long on your mat 

• Relax your head, shoulders, arms, hips and legs into your mat and feel supported by the ground underneath you 

• Let your feet flop open, release your tongue from the roof of your mouth and close your eyes 

• ​Completely surrender and focus on your breath for 1-2 minutes 

If you're looking for yoga to relieve stress, find a class near you or start building a consistent practice with an All Access Membership.