Yoga For Everyday Problems That You Can Do Anywhere

Yoga: Balancing and Centering

Having the ability to balance your mind, body, and soul can be highly advantageous when you travel for work. Side Bend Pose is a great way to center yourself, especially when you can envision your legs rooting into the earth. This pose stretches out the side body from a day of sitting while allowing you to center yourself.

Here’s how you do it;

• While standing with your feet hip-widths distance, anchor your feet.
• Raise your hands over your head with your palms turned out.
• Grab your left wrist with your right hand.
• As you exhale, lengthen your body, and lean to the right.
• Breathe deeply for a few breaths.
• Come back to center and repeat on the other side.

Yoga: Stress or Anxiety

If you feel stress or anxiety throughout the day, you can use certain poses to calm down the nervous system. Child’s Pose is deeply relaxing and feels good as it stretches out many parts of your body. It is a good pose to regroup and relax. Also, the nature of the pose gives you a sense of security and safety. You release the stress in your neck and shoulders and promotes steady breathing which can allow you to feel calm.

Here’s how you do it;

• Start on your hands and knees, allowing your big toes to touch. Spread your legs so they’re hip widths distance.
• Hands should sit directly under your arms.
• Bring your head forward and onto the mat as your belly rests on or between your thighs.
• Keep the arms active and extended.
• Press your hands into the floor.
• Keep your sit bones on your heels.
• Stay in this pose for as long as you like and focus on breathing.

Yoga: Insomnia

It’s quite possible if you travel around the world, you may have difficulty sleeping. If your job is challenging, you may also find that your mind keeps you up for all hours of the night. You can do Cross Twist Pose while you’re in bed or make it a part of your yoga before bed practice. This pose can ease both insomnia and anxiety as well as stretching out your back.

Here’s how you do it;

• Lie down on your back and bend your knees with your feet flat on the bed (or ground).
• Cross your right leg over your left knee.
• Twist your body over to the left.
• Put your arms to the side.
• For a deeper stretch, look to the right.
• Repeat on the other side.

Yoga: Back Pain

If you’re experiencing pain in your back, a Standing Forward Bend can help release tightness that occurs in the lumbar spine. In this pose, you use the weight of your head to help your back get rid of the tightness from sitting. You also stretch out your hamstrings in this pose which can ease lower back pain.

Here’s how you do it;

• Stand with your feet hip widths distance.
• Slowly bend forward, hinging yourself at the hips.
• Make sure you have a micro bend in your knees as this protects your lower back from injury.
• Try to touch your hands to the floor and let your upper body hang down, fully relaxing into this pose.
• Breathe in slowly and deeply for 5-10 breaths.
• Bring yourself up slowly while keeping your head and arms relaxed.
• Bring your hands to prayer.

Yoga: Indigestion

Chances are, if you’re working abroad, you may find it more difficult to digest the local cuisine because your body isn’t accustomed to the food. Simple Spinal Twist Pose is a great way to aid in your digestion as it massages your organs. The compression from twisting with the release stimulates your digestive organs by flushing them with new blood.

Here’s how you do it:

• Sit on the floor with your left leg bent, foot flat on the floor.
• Extend your right leg out straight.
• Keep your spine long by sitting up straight.
• Turn your torso to the left and grasp your left knee with your right hand.
• As your inhale, lengthen through the spine. As you exhale, stretch further to the left.
• Release and repeat on the other side.