You rush to meet deadlines, while trying to maintain work-life balance at the same time. Then there are physical illnesses, especially since the COVID pandemic struck. Many people also have to deal with mental health issues. You get to read hardly any positive piece of news in the newspaper. Then, there are shrinking opportunities. It’s a stressful time to live in. And stress shows on your body. You might feel heavy in your head, your neck and shoulders can get tense, and there might be some sensation in your arms. What you most crave during such a time is some mental peace. And what better way you can get it than yoga?
When you do yoga, you basically move at the pace of your breath. This helps in aligning your body and breath, which in turn induces mental peace. There are several yoga poses that can help you with it. The Mumbai-based The Yoga Institute shared several such poses on social media. Let us go through them one by one.
Yoga Poses For Mental Peace
Here are the yoga poses for mental peace you can try:
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Seated Forward Fold (Paschimottanasana)
Not only does the seated forward fold, or Paschimottanasana, bring mental calm, it stretches your spine, shoulders, and arms, and makes your hamstring flexible. Here’s the step-by-step guide to do this:
- Sit straight with your spine erect, shoulders relaxed, and legs extended in front of you.
- Inhale and start bedding forward. Either try to touch your toes with your hands, or bring your nose to the knees. However, do not overdo and go as far as your body allows.
- Stay in this pose for a few seconds and breathe gently.
Diamond Pose (Vajrasana)
Lower back pain, concentration issues, or mental peace -- Vajrasana, or diamond pose, is here for your rescue. Here is how to do it:
- Start by kneeling on the floor.
- Bring your thighs and feet to touch each other, and your toes facing backward.
- Exhale and come to sit on your feet.
- Your spine should be straight and bring your palms to rest on your thighs.
- Relax your gaze and let your mind relax.
- Sit in this pose for as long as you want.
Child’s Pose (Balasana)
A calming pose to relax your mind and body, child’s pose stretches your arms, and shoulders, and induces a feeling of peace and calm. Here’s how to do it:
- Start on your all fours, with palms under the shoulders and knees under the hips.
- Bring your big toes to touch each other while taking your knees as far as you can.
- Keep your palms where they are and start reclining backward until you sit on your feet.
- Your abdomen should be between your thighs and bring your forehead to the floor
- Stay in this pose for a few seconds and breathe gently.
Reclined Butterfly Pose (Supta Baddha Konasana)
A hip-opening pose, the reclined butterfly pose, or Supta Baddha Konasana, is good for your glutes and brings calmness to the mind. Here is how you can do it:
- Lie on the floor flat back.
- Your knees should be bent with your feet resting on the floor.
- Start opening your knees to either side and bring the soles of your feet to touch each other.
- Your palms can lie either on your belly or on your sides or in any way you are comfortable.
- Stay in this pose for as long as you can.
Pawanmuktasana (Wind-Relieving Pose)
Generally done to get rid of flatulence, wind-relieving pose, or Pawanmuktasana, also brings calmness to your mind. Here’s how to do it:
- Lie on the floor flat back.
- Bend your knees such that your thighs and lower leg touch each other.
- Pull your legs with your hands towards you such that your thighs rest on your chest.
- Either rest your head and neck on the floor and gently raise them towards the knees.
- Stay in this pose for a few breaths and come out of it gently.
Yastikasana (Stick Pose)
This is another pose you can strike to beat stress and get mental peace. Here’s the step-by-step guide to do this:
- Start by laying on your back with your legs extended and arms to your sides.
- Inhale and stretch your arms above your head.
- At the same time, point your toes as if your upper and lower body are stretched in opposite directions.
- Stay in this pose for a couple of breaths and gently come out of it.
Shavasana (Corpse Pose)
No yoga practise is complete without shavasana, or corpse pose, which is done at the end of the practise. It relaxes your body, relieves fatigue, and brings calmness to your mind.
- To do this, lay on your back with your feet extended forwards and your arms to your side.
- Try to relax each and every part of your body, from your forehead and eyes to the soles of your feet.
- Close your eyes, and try to relax your mind, which you can do by breathing deeply with mindfulness.
- Stay in this pose for a few minutes, or as long as you want.
So, these are some of the yoga poses you can do to bring calmness to your mind. A calm mind is extremely crucial for a sound health, and fulfilling life. Hence, try to do what it takes to take care of your mind. Yoga poses are always here for you to help.
Photo Credit: Freepik
