Managing Pain With Yoga

This is the new world - the world where many diseases have a cure and people live a longer life. But does this mean that everyone is living a healthier life?

No.

The world is becoming increasingly fast paced and everyone is stumped with packed schedules. This is coupled with the fact that open spaces are encroached upon for construction and there are fewer parts for recreation.

People living in the city are depending on gyms for their daily dose of exercise. Even living spaces are becoming smaller. The lifestyle choices are unhealthy and natural foods like vegetables, fruits, meats are replaced by junk and fast food.

In this world where people spend most of their time in a race, working almost all through their waking hours, it is normal that fitness levels have gone down.

The unhealthy lifestyle has lead to a host of problems like stress, depression, weight gain, and a constant ache in the muscles.

Yoga Benefits For Pain

Many people are turning towards yoga as a possible solution to such problems. Yoga is an ancient practice combining meditation and exercise which have a deep and long lasting effect on the mind and body.

It regulates breathing and increases metabolism, aids in weight loss, relieves stress and reduces depression by bringing in positive energy via meditation and can also help in pain relief and management.

• As far as pain management goes, most of the pain culminates in the back and shoulders due to long hours of sitting and incorrect posture.

• Sometimes even the legs and feet experience pain due to incorrect footwear, strenuous exercise, or long hours of walking or running.

• Older people fall prey to pain due to aging joints. Yoga has a cure for all of the above and more.

• And, there is pain that is associated with Arthritis, Fibromylagia and other conditions where pain is the focal point that are known to be helped by yoga.

Glimpse At The Best Poses To Manage Pain

Firstly, start with simple meditation. Sit in the correct cross legged posture and practice Pranayam.

This will ease your mind and body and prepare it for the exercises ahead. Remember to be slow and steady. Start your routine with stretching.

The best thing about yoga is that it can be practiced anywhere and anytime. You can also do it in your cramped office space if you know the right exercises.

Each pose or asana as they are called targets some part of the body or another. The stretching poses are intended to warm up your body. Remember to regulate your breathing and change every posture with proper breathing ins and outs.

Asanas

There are some pretty straightforward poses like the mountain pose, pyramid pose, raise hand pose, forward bend pose, downward facing dog, warrior pose, etc.

These mainly improve your balance and work your core muscles which will help in relieve pain at the deeper level along with stretching your body to the fullest.

Follow this up with some standing poses like the tree pose and the pant pose which are the higher levels Asanas.

Back Pain Relief

The staff pose, head to knee pose, seated forward bend, cobbler's pose, seated wide legged straddle, etc are poses to be attempted while seated.

These exercise your stomach, hips and thighs and provide wonderful results.

Now that your body is completely ready and warmed up, try the cobra pose for relieving back pain.

Follow that up with the cat cow stretch. You will immediately find a difference in the level of pain in the body and will be refreshed.

There is also the bridge pose for those wishing to take it further.

Relax

After all of this, try some relaxing poses like the pelvic tilts, legs up the wall pose, happy baby pose, Goddess pose, child's pose, etc.

Rejuvenate

If one does all of this at least three per week, there will be significant reduction of pain within a month.

Not only that, you will end up feeling younger and rejuvenated and more alive and will have extra energy to last you throughout the day.

So what are you waiting for?