How Yoga Can Protect Your Health

It is often said that prevention is better than cure, and when it comes to the health of your body this is of course applicable! When talking about the health of your bones, there is increasing amounts of evidence to suggest that yoga can be a great tool for keeping them in tip-top condition.

As well as helping to prevent injury in the first place, yoga is an amazing activity to turn to when you are trying to heal from an injury. This is because not only does it work to increase flexibility and strength, but it can also help to ease pain in the bones and joints.

 

If yoga is a foreign concept to you, and you just do not know where to start, then don’t worry! In this post I am going to discuss a selection of poses that can bring particular relief to your neck, shoulders and upper back.

 

8-Point Shoulder Opener

 

This following pose is perfect for opening up the neck area and reliving tension in this region.

 

 

This pose is known as the 8-Point Shoulder Opener and to get into it you first have to lie flat on your back on the floor. You must then move onto your right side, and reach your right arm out underneath and behind your body at a 90 degree angle. Your palm should be pointing up towards the air. You must then bring your left arm backwards too to hold your right hand. Hold this pose for five long, deep breaths and then slowly return to start position.

 

Cow Face Arms

 

Another useful pose for relieving pain and tension in the shoulders is called Cow Face Arms.

 

To do this pose you must lean on the floor and reach your right arm up above you before you bend it at the elbow and reach your forearm down to the middle of your shoulder blades. You can then bring your left arm behind you on the left side and stretch up to the shoulder blades to hold your right hand. You might find this a bit of a stretch at first but with regular practice you will soon be able to manage it easily!

 

Hold this pose for five long, deep breaths and then return to a relaxed kneeling position. Be careful not to put too much pressure on your neck as you do this pose.

 

Shoulder Opener at Wall

 

This final pose of this post is perfect for beginners and the use of the wall allows for extra support. This pose is known as Shoulder Opener at Wall.

 

 

To get started, simply place your forearms on the wall, ensuring they remain below shoulder height and are parallel to each other. Your elbows should also be apart from each other at shoulder-distance. Then all you have to do is take a few steps back while your forearms remain in position on the wall. Let your head relax and drop down to a resting position. Hold this pose while you take your five long, deep breaths and then slowly come out of the pose the same way that you came into it.

 

Regular Yoga Practice

 

By regularly incorporating these yoga poses into your day, you will help to prevent injury in the aforementioned areas and also work to free yourself of tension and pain. To do all three poses mentioned in this article just once every day will take you no longer than five minutes so what are you waiting for!

 

Once you have got to grips with these poses, you will likely discover that yoga is something you want to give more of your time and energy to! This is great, and can very quickly equate to positive things for both your physical health and your mental wellbeing.