Yoga For A Sense Of Calm

Every once in a while we all need to take a break from all the drama that’s either going on in our own lives or events and circumstances that surround us.

I feel the need for a bit of ‘me time’ right now. The last eight months have been so relentlessly busy and such an emotional rollercoaster for me that I haven’t even had the time to notice that most of the year has already gone!

With so much going on I haven’t been able to go to my yoga classes as regularly as I would like but I have been able to do a lot more yoga at home, which has been a bit of a revelation. There’s a lot to be said about yoga in the comfort of your own home, the warmth and the candlelight …

When I’m in need of a bit of calm the following yoga poses really help me relax my body and my mind so I can get that much needed ‘break’, whilst also leaving me feeling fully equipped to take on whatever the rest of the day throws at me.

Balasana (Child’s Pose)

• Sitting on the heels of your feet, fold your torso over your thighs and rest your forehead on the floor in front of you.
• Stretch your arms out in front of you or by your sides (wherever you feel comfortable) and stay here for a few breaths.

Easy Pose (Sukhasana)

• Start by sitting on the floor in a cross-legged position with your right ankle crossed over your left.
• Relax your legs down as close to the floor as you comfortably can.
• Place your palms on your knees.
• Lengthen your tailbone and sit up tall and straight.

Sit here for a couple of minutes and then change the cross of your legs so you achieve balance on both sides.

Head Of The Knee Pose (Janu Sirsasana)

• Bend your left knee and bring your foot against your right thigh.
• Inhale and take your arms overhead, then on the exhale fold forward over your right leg with your hands toward your right foot.
• Fold forward as far as is comfortable.
• Inhale, lengthen your spine, and slowly lift your chest and head.
• Exhale and fold over your outstretched leg again, keeping your head relaxed and pause for 2 seconds
• Repeat on other side.

Reclining Bound Eagle Pose

• Lie down on your back, with your legs extended and your arms at your sides, palms facing upwards.
• Bend your knees to bring the soles of your feet together so the outer edges of your feet are resting on the mat.
• Let your legs fall out to the sides. If this causes you discomfort you can take your feet further away from your body.
• Relax your shoulders keeping them away from your ears and allow your back to sink into the mat.
• Stay in the pose for a couple of minutes or for however long is comfortably possible.
• To come out of the pose, take the palms of the hands on the outer thighs to gently fold the legs together, and bring the soles of the feet flat down on the mat.
• Hug your knees into your chest and gently rock from side to side to massage the lower back.

Corpse Pose (Savasana)

• Lie flat on your back with your feet pointing out to the sides and your palms facing up. You can put a bolster under your knees if lying flat on the floor/mat isn’t comfortable for you.
• Nestle your shoulder blades down your back and across the mat, releasing all the tension in your body.
• Close your eyes. Breathing normally, rest here and feel the tension wash away.