Tension is so common that it can feel like a normal state of being. Reducing tension and finding peace is the ultimate goal for many people and yoga can help you get there. Yoga is effective for releasing physical, emotional and mental tension. All tension begins in the mind, which affects your mood and even your physical health over time.
The mind affects the body and tension in the mind leads to tension in the muscles, which can result in digestive problems, headaches, backaches and many other symptoms. Yoga helps to relieve tension in the body. Physical tension can lead to a wide range of aches and pains. The asanas and pranayama breathing in hatha yoga helps to restore balance in the body and let go of tension in the muscles.
Emotional tension is the result of our thoughts and emotions. Feelings of love, hate, jealousy, failure, and fear lead to increased emotional tension. Yoga can help soften your thoughts, clear your mind and let go of emotions. The asanas, breathing, letting go of obsessive thoughts and chanting and meditation in your yoga practice can help change your thoughts.
If you need to let go of emotional tension, consider making chanting and meditation part of your yoga practice. There are several forms of yoga that use meditation and classes at yoga studios often begin and end with chanting or offer meditation immediately after scheduled yoga classes.
Mental stress and tension has several causes. Whether you are studying a lot, working hard on a project that requires mental focus, or preoccupied with financial worries, you may be experiencing mental tension. Yoga and meditation offer the opportunity to clear your mind and take a break from over thinking.
Meditation doesn’t require hours, even just a few minutes in meditation can make a huge difference. You can use a simple method, such as focusing on the breath, or try guided meditation to relieve emotional and mental tension.