Everyone has different ways of coping with stress whether it be screaming into a pillow or listening to music. Personally, I prefer to do yoga to release any stress or anxiety that I have pent up. I have been practicing yoga for about a year and a half now and I have noticed that I have become stronger and more flexible than I was before. There are several benefits to doing yoga. I have found that if I do some simple poses before bed then I am able to fall asleep quicker and have a more restful sleep overall (which is vital when you have an 8:00 AM class the next day). Another benefit to yoga is that it can help reduce period cramps. I don’t know about you all, but I get terrible cramps to the point where I just want to curl up into a ball.Sometimes it’s best to just close your eyes and take a breather to relieve the pain.
College can be stressful, and we all need a healthy outlet to channel the stress into. Below I have listed some simple yoga poses you can try to get you started on your yoga journey!
Tree Pose
The Tree pose helps gain stability in your legs and feel more grounded. This is a nice pose to do if your tendons need a stretch. This is typically the pose I do when I’m going to start my yoga routine as it helps me get in the zone and really focus on achieving balance.
Child’s Pose
Child’s pose is a lifesaver when you have period cramps because it opens up your lower hips and back.This is a great stretch to do when you have been in a pose for too long. Staying in this position for a couple minutes allows you to reset your body.
Plank Pose
Plank pose is good for building core strength and balance. I find that whenever I do this pose my mind tends to wander and in the end I feel much stronger for being able to hold this position. Each time I try to hold the pose for an extra five seconds than I did in the past It’s all about mind over matter.
Bridge Pose
Bridge pose is one of my favorite yoga poses because it is simple and has so many benefits. This allows you to calm the brain and central nervous system, improves digestion, and even reduces back and headache.
My yoga journey thus far has allowed me to train my mind through meditation and find my “inner Zen”. I learned in yoga that it’s not about the destination or the immediate gratification of a win. It’s about the journey you undertake which enables you to be the best you can be!