This Is a 7-Minute Yoga Routine That Will Really Relax You.
It sucks when office anxiety spills over into the time you want to spend relaxing. In an effort to deal with stress after work, I tried this quick yoga program designed specifically for stress relief and it really helped me feel super refreshed after a long day.
Before starting my routine, I created a relaxing atmosphere: dim lighting, an open window for a nice breeze, and comfortable clothes. I then followed the procedure outlined in the video above, which includes:
- Deep Breathing: If you focus on one thing during this exercise, it should be. Inhale deeply through your nose and exhale through your nose or mouth. Try to feel how your lungs and chest expand with each inhalation and contract with each exhalation. One of the reasons I find this part of the routine so important is because it makes my skin feel refreshed and tingly.
- Shoulder Roll : Place your arms at your sides and roll your shoulders up, almost touching your ears, and then back and down. It was great for me because my posture is terrible, especially when it comes to my shoulders.
- Back stretch: Clasp your fingers behind your back and gently lift your arms up to stretch your back and arms. Another back stretch is to “hug” yourself, crossing your arms in front of you so that your elbows are horizontal and your hands are on top of your shoulders.
- Tree Pose : This pose is about balance, so take your time and change it to suit your comfort level. Distribute the weight as evenly as possible across your feet, bring your palms together in front of your chest, and slowly raise one leg so that it is parallel to your calf or thigh (do not place it on your knee, this can cause injury.). If you find it difficult to maintain balance on one leg, instead of placing your foot on your shin or thigh, place it on the ground next to your ankle.
The key to this routine is to focus on deep breathing so you can move into a more relaxed mental and emotional state. You should also work with postures and stretches in a way that is comfortable for you, as the whole point is to feel better after your workout. I was able to fit into this routine when I got home from work, which helped me put my work day behind me and focus on enjoying the evening, but you can do this routine whenever you need a little stress relief.
Yoga for Stress Relief | Yoga with Adrien (YouTube)