Best Yoga Poses to Calm Down Nervous System

These are uncertain times and most of us are going through the phase of negative feelings such as fear, anxiety, and stress. These feelings are totally normal as they are the bodily response to threat. However, they take a toll on our mental health.

 

According to one study, nearly 30 percent of people in the US have an anxiety disorder. And with the pandemic adding to the stress, unease, and worry, it might be time to turn to yoga to get some relief.

 

Practicing yoga can calm down your nervous system, ease stress and fear, and let you connect your body to the mind.

 

Here we have rounded up some powerful yoga poses that will relax your nervous system and ease those negative feelings.

 

Malasana or Garland Pose:

 

This posture is very beneficial to relieve the lower back, after long hours standing or sitting in the office.

 

The fact of working with the opening of the hips, in addition to the many physical benefits that it entails, has a psychological effect of opening us up, letting go of what is blocking us, and freeing ourselves from our fears.

 

How to Do It:

 

Spread your feet wider than the hips. Toes spread diagonally. If your heels hit the ground, bring your hands together and gently press your elbows on the inner thighs. If they do not reach the ground, you can put a towel, blanket, or bricks. Take your upper arms insider the knees and bend the elbows to bring the palms into prayer position. The spine should be straight while the butt moves toward the floor. Stay for five breaths and then straighten the legs to come out. Try to repeat the pose three times. 

 

Sukhasana (The Easy Pose):

 

It is one of the best yoga postures for you to take a few minutes of silence and breathe calmly. In addition to connecting with the earth and bringing you inner calm, this posture has other benefits: it opens the hips, lengthens the spine, amplifies the state of serenity, tranquility and eliminates anxiety, relieves physical and mental fatigue. 

 

How to Do It:

 

Sit cross-legged (use a meditation cushion if you are more comfortable). Focus on your breathing in this pose and stand still with your spine straight for at least 1 minute.

Vrksasana - Tree Pose

 

This posture invites you to root yourself and find your balance through the central channel. The central canal is felt or visualized as a hollow bamboo that runs through our body on the inside, from the pelvic floor to the crown.

 

How to do It:

 

Both feet should be planted on the ground. Then place one of the feet on the inner thigh or calf (never on the knee). Open the knee to the side and project the foot that is in contact with the ground towards the ground. The hands can stay at chest level in namaskar mudra or go up by aligning the fingertips with the crown of the head.

 

Stay for a few breaths and we go downstairs to switch legs.

 

Matsyasana - Fish Pose

 

The fish pose stretches the throat, chest, abdomen, hip flexors, and the muscles between the ribs. While it is a great posture to get rid of back issues, it also eases your stress.

 

How to Do It:

 

Lying on your back, legs active, together, and stretched out. We carry our arms stretched out behind our backs. When inhaling, we raise the chest from the thrust of the elbows and gently rest the crown or the back of the neck on the floor. Breathe into your chest, opening your rib cage.

 

Triangle Pose or Trikonasana:

 

This is a great pose to ease a tense neck and back. Since it addresses the lower back which is where some people carry their stress, it can help release tension.

 

How to Do It:

 

Stand with your feet wide apart. Place your left toes forward placing the right toes at a slight angle.

Raise both the arms and extend them out from the shoulders. Make sure to place the palms face down. Stretch the torso as you reach forward with the left hand. Hinge the hip joint to move the right hip back and move the left hand down to the leg or the floor.

Extend the right arm up toward the ceiling. Stay in this pose for nearly 30 seconds on each side. Follow the same steps on the opposite side.

 

Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward Bend)

 

It is an ideal posture to help a distracted mind relax. It is a basic but challenging pose with several benefits, in addition to relieving stress and anxiety: it stretches the hamstrings, spine, and lower back, improves digestion, relieves symptoms of PMS and menopause, reduces fatigue, stimulates the liver, kidneys, ovaries, and uterus. The forward bends are the most effective for calming the mind.

 

How to Do It:

 

Sit with your legs straight in front of the body. Bring the arms straight out to the sides and up over the head, extending toward the ceiling. Inhale while you stretch your spine forward. As you exhale, start to come forward, hinging at the hip. Stay in the pose for 1 to 3 minutes

Conclusion 

Yoga can solve almost any problem. Yoga is not only beneficial to your physical body, but it can also help to maintain peace within yourself and relax your mind. Yoga can help with everything. Additionally, yoga is not just a day-to-day activity; it is a commitment that lasts a lifetime.