Yoga is supposed to be a generally calming practice. Even though it can become physically tough, the breathing methods used during yoga, and the practice as a whole, are all meant to calm the mind, leaving the yogi in a more peaceful state.
We may not all make the time for an hour or so of yoga every day, but there is one move you can do to help you calm down during stressful times: Legs-Up-A-Wall. Yes, it’s a very literal phrase, because to perform the pose you lay on your back as close to the wall as is comfortable for you with your legs up the wall and the backs of them resting against it.
So why is this move so calming?
- It relieves tired leg muscles.
- With no effort it gives you the benefits of inversion, which include regulating blood pressure, moving stuck fluids, and helping digestion.
- When combined with slow, rhythmic breathing it calms the nervous system by triggering your “rest and digest” state of being.
- It boosts your energy by allowing more blood flow.
- It relieves lower back pain.
- When you also focus on breathing, this pose quiets the mind and helps calm anxiety.
Image source: www.yogaoutlet.com