The holiday time from Thanksgiving to New Years is hectic and can be stressful. Life seems too busy and out of control. Taking the time for your yoga practice can be an excellent way to relieve the stress that is so common at this time of the year.
In the midst of the holiday frenzy, taking even a few minutes to stretch and get centered can change your entire outlook. Whether you have family visiting this week, are facing a mess in the house or need to return a dozen completely wrong gifts, spending some time on the mat will help you physically and emotionally.
Yoga has been shown to be an effective method for relieving stress, whether it is temporary holiday stress or chronic stress that can endanger your health. The stress relief benefits of yoga have been known for thousands of years and now modern medicine is beginning to acknowledge these benefits. There have been several studies that have demonstrated the stress relief benefits of yoga.
Yoga helps stress in several ways. The combination of movement, stretching, quieting the mind, pranayama breathing and meditation work together to relax the body and mind. It really doesn’t matter what type of yoga you practice. All forms of yoga offer stress relief benefits, whether it is a slow, gentle hatha yoga practice or power yoga.
Do you have kids at home for Christmas break? That doesn’t mean you have to skip your time on the mat. Have the kids join in. yoga benefits people of all ages, including kids who may be feeling the stress of the hectic pace of life. Have them join you in an easy practice or pull out one of the many yoga for kids DVDs. They’ll have a blast and you’ll get in time for your practice.
If you are feeling stressed, but have no time at the moment to practice yoga, try a little pranayama breathing. Slowing down the breath helps to relax the body and mind. The best part of this is that you can do it anywhere.