Yoga
involves a series of both moving and stationary poses, combined with
deep breathing. As well as reducing anxiety and stress, yoga can also
improve flexibility, strength, balance, and stamina. Practiced
regularly, it can also strengthen the relaxation response in your daily
life. Since injuries can happen when yoga is practiced incorrectly,
it’s best to learn by attending group classes, hiring a private
teacher, or at least following video instructions.
What type of yoga is best for stress?
Although almost all yoga classes end in a relaxation pose, classes that emphasize slow, steady movement, deep breathing, and gentle stretching are best for stress relief.- Satyananda is a traditional form of yoga. It features gentle poses, deep relaxation, and meditation, making it suitable for beginners as well as anyone primarily looking for stress reduction.
- Hatha yoga is also reasonably gentle way to relieve stress and is suitable for beginners. Alternately, look for labels like gentle, for stress relief, or for beginners when selecting a yoga class.
- Power yoga, with its intense poses and focus on fitness, is better suited to those looking for stimulation as well as relaxation.
Tai chi
If you’ve ever seen a group of people in the park slowly moving in synch, you’ve probably witnessed tai chi. Tai chi
is a self-paced, non-competitive series of slow, flowing body
movements. These movements emphasize concentration, relaxation, and the
conscious circulation of vital energy throughout the body. Though tai
chi has its roots in martial arts, today it is primarily practiced as a
way of calming the mind, conditioning the body, and reducing stress.
As in meditation, tai chi practitioners focus on their breathing and
keeping their attention in the present moment.
Tai chi is a safe, low-impact option for people of
all ages and levels of fitness, including older adults and those
recovering from injuries. Like yoga, once you’ve learned the basics of
tai chi or qi gong, you can practice alone or with others, tailoring
your sessions as you see fit.
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