Serene Within: Discover the Soothing Power of Yoga for Stress Relief

Butterfly Pose

Muscle Groups Targeted: The butterfly pose primarily targets the muscles of the inner thighs, groins, and hips.

Starting Position: Sit on the floor with the soles of your feet together, allowing your knees to fall outward.

Steps:

1. Hold your feet or ankles with your hands.
2. Sit tall with an elongated spine.
3. Gently press your knees towards the ground, feeling a stretch in the inner thighs and groins.
4. Lean forward slightly from your hips while keeping your back straight.
5. Hold the stretch for 30 seconds to a minute while maintaining steady breathing.

Cat-Cow Pose

Muscle Groups Targeted: The cat-cow pose targets the muscles of the spine, shoulders, and abdomen.

Starting Position: Begin on your hands and knees in a tabletop position, with wrists aligned under shoulders and knees under hips.

Steps:

1. Inhale, arch your back, drop your belly, and lift your head and tailbone towards the ceiling (Cow Pose).
2. Exhale, round your spine upward, tucking your chin to your chest and drawing your belly button toward your spine (Cat Pose).
3. Alternate between arching and rounding your back, syncing the movements with your breath.
4. Repeat this flow for several rounds, allowing the spine to stretch and move with each breath cycle.

In summary, yoga manifests as an invaluable ally in stress and anxiety management, bestowing not only physical and mental relaxation but a myriad of holistic benefits. Regular practice unlocks the gateway to physical tranquility, mental clarity, and emotional equilibrium, beckoning individuals seeking respite from stress and anxiety to embrace its manifold advantages.

Reference:

[1] https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12144-022-04062-2