Strike a Pose
Norah Vasen | Tuesday, December 15, 2009 at 2:00AM I must say that with the holidays here I tend to get a little overwhelmed with this festive time of year. I start to freak out a bit when I reflect on all of the various activities that I want to keep up with on my work and social calendars. However, I really love seeing all of the out-of-town family and friends, going to fabulous dinner parties and delicious company lunches, and participating in the other holiday events. But I have to confess that I do find myself thinking of how I will actually be able to pleasantly juggle it all. So, how do I manage to balance work and play especially when I start to feel sensations of stress and worry? I strike a yoga pose. I like to use yoga as my secret weapon in stress combat. And call me a yoga geek if you want (which I will always admit to being) but when I find my breath is short and I feel like I can't charge through a difficult moment or situation, I take a time-out (even at work) for yoga to help ease my mind. Now, it may not always be ideal to start doing sun salutations at work, the grocery store or wherever you may be at that present moment, but if you set aside some time for a breather, I guarantee the weight on your shoulders will lighten up.
Below you will find a list of my favorite stress relieving postures that help alleviate negative emotions and help reinstate positive thinking. Using Yoga Journal's online reference guide, follow the link for pictures and detailed instructions for each asana. They all have specific anatomical areas that they are beneficial for and the therapeutic effects are immeasurable. Be sure to embrace the endorphin rush with a grin on your face because the holidays are much better with a smile.
6 Yoga Postures for Stress Relief:
Bridge Pose (Setu Bandha Sarvangasana)
http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/472
Upward Facing Dog (Bhujangasana)
http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/471
Downward-Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana)
http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/491
Plow Pose (Halasana)
http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/479
Forward Bend (Uttanasana)
http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/478
Child's Pose (Balasana)
http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/475
Yoga tagged holidays, stress relief, yoga 
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Reader Comments (3)
Thanks Norah! I always feel so invigorated after plow pose. Forward bend is another favorite and certainly underestimated by most!
Child's pose is my favorite relaxing position. Thanks for all the other suggestions!
Something you CAN do at work or in the grocery store is Tadasana (mountain pose) - just planting your feet in the ground and reaching the top of your head to the sky. Great way to straighten up your spine in the middle of the day - I try to do it when I realize I'm slouching.