Did you know that engaging in an exercise routine can improve your mood? See some yoga poses that will improve your mood.
Yoga poses to improve your mood, specifically, are great for improving mood and alleviating stress because they help stretch out your muscles and clear your mind of distracting thoughts.
If you’re feeling stressed or agitated, try yoga poses to help you relax and feel great. Try one per day until you feel your body and mind coming back into balance.
Yoga Poses to Improve Your Mood
To improve your mood with yoga. Remember to always talk to your doctor before beginning any new physical activity program, so you can be sure it’s safe for you to do so.
1. Supported Bound Angle Pose (Supta Baddha Konasana)
The supported-bound-angle pose, a pinnacle of relaxation in yoga, proves invaluable for soothing nerves and alleviating anxiety. Begin seated on a firm surface, extending your legs forward.
Elevate your knees with pillows and bring your ankles together, maintaining parallel alignment. Allow your knees to gently rest against each other, attentively addressing any lower back tension.
Gradually roll up the spine, segment by segment, seeking relief from tension. For added support, position folded blankets beneath your shoulders and head, slightly elevating them above floor level.
Dedicate at least five minutes to this pose, ensuring a serene ambiance—setting alarm guards against unintended napping.
Emphasizing comfort over exercise, remember that mental well-being stems from harmony, not pain, in the practice of yoga.
2. Reclining Big Toe Pose (Supta Padangusthasana)
The Reclining Big Toe Pose is a versatile posture crafted to unlock the hips, shoulders, and ankles while concurrently stretching the calf muscles, groins, and thighs.
Ideal for those with sedentary or physically demanding lifestyles, it caters to individuals who spend extensive hours sitting, driving, or standing.
Its accessibility makes it suitable for beginners, and practicing it at any time of day is encouraged. Incorporating it into a sequence of poses may enhance its benefits.
Crucially, the cardinal rule in yoga prevails—avoid pain. If discomfort arises, especially in the joints, cease the pose immediately and seek guidance from an instructor.
Executing this pose involves gently guiding both knees outward, ensuring maximal stretch without inducing pain in the hips, and fostering a practice rooted in comfort and well-being.
3. Fish Pose (Matsyasana)
This pose is a little more difficult than some of my other recommendations, but it’s quite beneficial. In addition to opening up your body and giving you a good stretch.
Fish Pose helps you deal with depression and anxiety. It has also been linked to helping cure headaches and migraines. If done correctly, it can improve your mood overall.
Here’s how to do it: Sit in a squat position on your mat. Lower yourself down onto all fours until your hands are flat on top of each other and your legs are straight out behind you (from here, you should look like an upside-down V).
Lean forward over your arms so that most of your weight goes into them; put a cushion or pillow under your forehead if needed.
4. Half-happy Baby Pose (Ardha Bhekasana)
To get into a happy baby pose, begin by sitting on your mat with your legs extended straight out in front of you.
Raise your arms over your head and interlace your fingers, allowing them to rest above and behind you as you bend forward at the waist. Drop both forearms to the floor and extend your legs.
While bending forward, try to maintain a straight spine throughout. Hold for 8–10 breaths before releasing back into the child’s pose or repeating on another side.
Start small; be sure not to rush through repetitions, as each time is an opportunity to stretch and relax more deeply.
Don’t be surprised if it takes a few tries before you can hold on for even a few seconds in the half-happy baby pose. Keep working on it.
5. Headstand Pose (Sirsasana)
The headstand, renowned for improving blood circulation and stress relief, emerges as a potential remedy for anxiety and depression, as per a study in Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine.
To execute this transformative pose, begin by sitting against a wall, legs extended. Inhale, then exhale, bending knees to position feet on either side of the head, maintaining flexed feet.
Inhale again, lifting the hips off the floor and pressing the lower back down. Exhale, extending legs one at a time over the head, aligning them parallel with heels reaching towards the ceiling.
Emphasize heel pressure during three deep breaths. Descend gradually, repeating five times before alternating sides.
This methodical practice not only enhances physical well-being but also holds promise as a holistic approach to addressing anxiety and depression.
6. Leg Raises Pose (Eka Pada Galavasana)
This exercise will not only strengthen your legs and core, but it’ll also boost your mood. Begin by lying on your back with your arms outstretched to either side of you. Bend both knees and place each foot on top of its corresponding thigh.
Slowly raise both legs until they are perpendicular to the floor, hold for three seconds, then lower them again. Do 20 reps a day and watch that mood lift! You have time for yoga.
7. Plow Pose (Halasana)
Lying on your back, bend your knees and bring them to your chest. Keeping your legs together, drop one leg at a time to either side of you so that they’re straight but not stiff.
Extend your arms out to your sides at shoulder height, with your palms facing up. Reach for toes or clasp hands together above the head and hold for 5 breaths. Slowly lower the legs back down and repeat on another side.
This pose stretches out your spine and brings blood flow to your head; it’s one of my favorites! Keep in mind that Plow Pose is a moderate to advanced yoga pose depending on your flexibility level.
If you can’t reach your feet comfortably yet, focus instead on getting both legs extended evenly without too much effort or strain.
Conclusion
While yoga is more about relaxing and enjoying life than about losing weight, there are a few poses that can help boost your mood, lower stress levels, and reduce anxiety.
If you’re feeling stressed or anxious, try any of these seven effective yoga poses to improve your mood and calm down in a snap.
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