Yoga for stress relief

The popularity of yoga is growing because of its effects on both physical and mental health.

Yoga routines routinely involve controlled breathing, meditation and relaxation techniques which have been shown to have a positive effect on stress levels. Stress can also be linked with physical health complaints like aches and pains. We know from research that static (isometric) holds, commonly used in different styles of yoga can actually help reduce pain and improve the function of damaged tissues (such as muscle and tendon). 

There is a lot of fluffy information surrounding yoga but actually delve deeper into the literature and there is good evidence for its benefits for both physical and mental health. 

Shohani et Al (2018) showed that after 12 sessions of Yoga the women in the study experienced significant reductions in stress, depression and anxiety. 

Another smaller study conducted in 2020 found that in men, yoga reduced cortisol levels, having a positive effect on the parasympathetic nervous system (high cortisol levels are linked with stress and anxiety).  

Some great stress relieving yoga poses include: 

Cat cow 

Child’s pose 

Legs up the wall pose 

Corpse pose 

 

Try these for yourself and when ready to join us, come along for a full 50 minute session to see what yoga can do for your health! BOOK HERE

We look forward to seeing you soon! 

 

WE are based just outside Saffron Walden, in little chesterford. Not too far from Cambridge!