Yoga to Open Your Mind
Posted On : 24 Feb 2021.
Creativity is one of the actual essences of yourself. However, the mind is always busy and never gets a day off. It constantly wanders, whether on the past or mulling over the future. Stress is something that takes all of our energy. Unless you are going on a long weekend, most people spend their time at the office desk, hunching over a laptop and working on a deadline. This not only gives you a sore back and hunched shoulder but also gives you a lot of stress as our mind is constantly preoccupied with one thing or another. Even though we are out with our friends and family, our mind is so occupied with thoughts that we fail to enjoy that moment. This can create havoc on the mind and your muscles, body, and breath. With yoga, we can clear our minds of unnecessary thoughts and align them with our bodies and soul. Regular yoga practice accompanied by breathing exercises will create a sense of relaxation in your body, restore balance, and open your mind, body and soul.
The regular practice of yoga helps in improving your breath and provides you with instant relief. When you step on the mat, it takes all your stress and helps release all the tension weighing you down. However, practising yoga can be challenging for beginners as your body needs more flexibility. Moreover, there will be certain uneasiness in specific body parts; hence, one should practice yoga under the guidance of an experienced yoga teacher in a beginner yoga course in Rishikesh or a yoga teacher training course in Rishikesh at AYM yoga school in Rishikesh.
Here are the top 5 yoga poses you can practice at home when you need to open your mind:
Standing Forward Fold
Stand straight, keeping your feet close or hip-width apart. Inhale and stretch your arms above your head, and as you exhale, bend forward and rest your hands near your feet. Let your head hang freely as you breathe sincerely 10 to 12 times. If you are a beginner, bend your knees slightly to avoid overstretching the back.
Standing forward fold help in quieting the busy mind and balancing your nervous system. It strengthens the mind and releases tension from the lower back. It opens your mind when it is overstimulated.
Fish Pose
Lie on your yoga mat with your legs stretched outwards and arms resting on either side. Place your palm underneath your hips and lift your back, chest, and neck off the mat as you inhale. As you exhale, lower your head's crown while lifting your back. Stay in the pose for at least 5 to 6 breaths, then release gently.
The fish pose is the open, most calming pose for your brain. It increases the blood flow to your brain, helping release stress and soothing your brain.
Downward Facing Dog
Get into a tabletop position with your wrist under your shoulder and knees beneath your hips. Keep your back straight and bend your knees if your hamstring is too tight. Keep your ear away from the shoulder and lengthen your neck. As you exhale, lift your hip and back off the floor, straighten your knees, and make an inverted 'V'. Breathe at least 5 to 6 times profoundly and then release gently.
Downward dog pose is one of the most rejuvenating yoga poses you will see in every yoga class. This yoga pose involves your whole body and stimulates your various body organs. It increases blood circulation, improves your posture, and calms your mind
Cat Cow Pose
Start with a tabletop position with your knees beneath your hips and wrist underneath the shoulder. Now take a deep breath in and arch your back down and look up (cow pose). As you exhale arch your back up and fix your gaze towards your navel. Keep moving to and fro in the pose for at least 8 to 10 deep breath and then release.
Cat / Cow pose to provide a gentle massage to the spine and ease very tension from your neck, back and shoulder. When practiced regularly it improves posture and overall balance of the body..
Corpse Pose
Lie down on your yoga mat with your arms resting on either side and legs stretched. Close your eyes and as you breath let your body go heavy and let yourself relax. Stay in the pose for at least 5 minutes and then release.
Corpse pose is a deeply restorative pose that is practiced at the end of a yoga session. The key is to focus on your breath and release any sort of tension still fully aware and it will open your mind and bring more clarity to you.