Which Type Of Yoga Is Best For Stress Relief?
Yoga has grown up with a traditional system of healing (Ayurveda), which highlights this: we ALL are unique and our pathways to healing are therefore endlessly diverse. There are few (not exhaustive) styles of yoga to which I recommend that yogis turn in dealing with higher stress levels even with this diversity.
Restorative Yoga
The restorative yoga is designed to help you sink in deep relaxation and direct the blood flow to sore or wounded areas without straining them, concentrating on 4 or 5 basic poses for an extended period of time. It is good for health, disability, chronic fatigue, mental overcrowding and major events and changes in life. To feel completely supported and relaxed.
The renowned Yoga professor B.K.S. Iyengar (author of Light on Yoga) is lend credit to students suffering from significant health problems in some of the first restorative Yoga postures. It is interesting to note that even positive life events can bring our bodies into stressful conditions by being a transformations that our body and mind could not make. JudITH Lasater who has studied in Iyengar calls restauratory yoga “active relaxation” and recommends it for times before, during and after major life events, such as the death of loved ones, marriages, divorces, holidays, etc.
Yin Yoga
Yin is also known as taoist yoga and is calm, relaxed and meditative. The idea is to give in and relax the muscles completely. Firth recommends this “practice because it produces steady, calming calm.” It’s useful to alleviate stress / tightness patterns in the body, to break down cavity tissue and to practice slowing down and staying. It brings positive stress to the joints and connective tissue to increase flexibility.
In relation to the Chinese meridian (the same method that stresses activities such as acupuncture and acupressure), Yin yoga is distinct from restorative yoga and its focus on myofascial release and joint tension.
Yin Yoga can be a great style for athletes or office workers, who both have boring routines that are inflexible. “Think of Your will and your body as two dancers, moving in absolute harmony” says Bernie Clark (author of The complete Yin Yoga Guides). Too many student beginners and even accomplished yoga balance their yoga— the mind fighting with the body and pushing it into posturing the body refuses.Yoga is a dance, not a wrestling match.”
Yoga Nidra
Yoga Nidra is translated sometimes as “yogic night,” but conscious sleep. While the process varies from teacher to teacher, before you start the lesson, you’ll usually be asked to make an effort (sankalpa). During the practice, visualizations, progressive relaxation, physical scanning, opposites sensing or techniques of breathing will lead to you.
It can be used to regulate cardiac rates, pressure and metabolism, control emotions, improve concentration and feelings of well-being (particularly those with PTSD). This relaxes your body profoundly and tap into your subconscious.
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