World Mental Health Day: 8 calming Yoga asanas for reducing stress

The world today is battling stress and anxiety at large. On this World Mental Health Day, let’s talk about the significance of Yoga which works wonder in reducing stress.

Setu Bandha Sarvangasana(Bridge Pose): The posture involves stretching out the chest and thighs open. Not only does the posture strengthen the back, legs and hips, but it also helps in reducing fatigue, stress and anxiety.

Balasana (Child's Pose): Derived from its resemblance to a child in a resting position, the posture offers peace of mind just like a child feels in their mother’s arms. The asana involves kneeling and folding the upper body forward while resting the forehead on the floor. 

Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog): This asana involves stretching and widening the calves, and hamstrings. The posture strengthens bones while lowering the heart rate, thereby relieving tension from the neck and back.

Janu Sirsasana (Head-To-Knee Forward Bend): This Yoga pose offers a stretch from back and ankle to hips on the side-body as well.  The asana cultivates a sense of inner peace as it stretches the body and calms the mind.

Uttanasana (Standing Forward Fold Pose). This pose involves stretching hamstrings, calves, hips and back while balancing the nervous system and calming the mind.

Shavasana(Corpse pose): Shavasana is one of the easiest poses to do and is done at the last. It is one of the most effective poses to reduce stress and calm the mind. The posture also improves focus and concentration. 

Viparita Karani(Legs up the wall): This posture enables the releasing of tension from the lower body while promoting overall calmness. The pose involves raising the leg along the wall while ensuring that the back and head are resting comfortably on the floor. 

Baddha Konasana (Butterfly pose): This yoga pose relieves tension from the inner thigh and pelvic region. When paired with breathing, it can help relax the mind and body.