How to use yoga for stress relief

Some yoga teachers are excellent at weaving mindfulness teachings into their yoga class. Others… well, not so much.

In the Western world, yoga has morphed into just another exercise class. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. But if you come to yoga for stress relief and pain, it can be hard to find a class that prioritizes mindfulness over cardio.

Here are some of the common stressors that come up during yoga classes, and how to resolve them through a mindfulness lens. Get the most out of your yoga class using these tips and tricks.

1.The instructor is moving too fast!

It’s okay to adapt or skip poses. It’s okay if you’re a few poses behind everyone else. Go at your own pace.

This may feel uncomfortable. We are so used to deferring to authority. You might worry about classmates judging you.

When you notice feelings of discomfort, take note, and continue to go at your own pace anyway.

Mindfulness teachings encourage people to trust their inner wisdom and listen to their body. This is important for everyone. It is especially important for people with special conditions (pregnancy, chronic illnesses, disabilities, and so on).

You will get so much more out of your yoga class if you do follow your own intuition, even when it goes against what others are doing.

2.There are too many distractions to relieve stress.

Here’s my mindful advice: Whenever you notice yourself getting distracted, gently bring your attention back to your breathing, or the physical sensations in your body (for example, tingling or warmth in your muscles, hunger, thirst, and so on).

Most of us live in a busy, loud environments, alive with machines and people. Accept that distractions are part of life – they aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.

Think of yoga as an opportunity to practice observing your reactions to stimuli in your environment. If any judgments come up about yourself or others, make note of those, too. Try not to judge yourself for judging.

3.I can’t stop thinking about other things.

When you notice yourself thinking about what’s for lunch, or worrying about how many other things you have to do, that’s okay. Just bring your focus back to your breathing and your body sensations.

If you have to return your attention to your breathing hundreds of times in 30 seconds, that’s okay. No one’s counting, and it’s not a contest.

Be compassionate with yourself when your mind wanders. After all, it’s what our minds are used to doing.

What difficulties have you come across in yoga class? Any tips on how to overcome them? Comment below or contact me.

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