Try these five yoga poses to release stress and manage your outbursts of anger.
Some of us are good at handling our emotions and feelings, but life can be overwhelming for anyone from time to time. If you are prone to angry outbursts due to stress, you can end up being caught in a loop. This can result in feeling guilty for being angry, and in turn cause anger on ourselves. This is a vicious cycle which is not easy to break.
However, therapy and even practicing yoga can not only calm your mind, but also give you the confidence and strength to manage your anger. Here are five yoga poses which you can perform daily to efficiently control your stress and anger:
Corpse Pose (Savasana)
This is a simple yet effective pose. It is performed at the end of the session or during transitioning onto another pose. It might seem like an easy way to go to sleep, but lying on your back has immense benefits.
Using a yoga mat, lie down entirely on your back. Keep your legs straight and your hands beside you. Gently close your eyes and focus on every breath that passes your body. It will help you relax by stabilising your blood pressure and heart rate that increase when you are angry. It also activates the parasympathetic nervous system which is responsible for the body’s resting and feeding stage after an emotional outburst.
Supported Shoulder Stand (Salamba Sarvangasana)
While this pose is not exactly for beginners, it can be practiced using the support of a friend or a wall. The body’s inversion aids in increasing the circulation to the head. It is an excellent way for people to deal with anger, irritability, or any other emotional feeling.
Rest your arms beside your torso and exhale while pressing your arms to the floor and lifting your feet, so that your knees are in front of your face. You can use your hands to support your back. Hold this position for eight to ten breaths and then slowly bend your knees one by one, and place your feet on the floor.
Revolved Crescent Lunge (Parivrtta Anjaneyasana)
This twisting pose can help in easing the tension and massaging the spinal column, while the stretching of the hips makes one feel grounded.
Anger and stress can create tension in the muscles and the spinal column, so the revolved crescent lunge can help you stretch and relieve this tension.
Head-to-knee Forward Bend (Janu Sirsasana)
Stretching your spine and back muscles, this forward bend is effective in massaging the abdomen. Encouraging blood and oxygen circulation, the pose involves the lowering of the head which helps in creating calm.
It also stimulates and relaxes the nervous system that helps with mental health issues like anxiety and mild depression, however it is not a substitute for professional help.
Half Twisted Pose (Ardha Matsyendrasana)
This is great to increase flexibility of the chest, it improves blood circulation to the abdomen. The half twisted pose opens your chest muscles and also releases tension from the muscles of your spine, back and hips. By aiding the oxygen supply to the lungs by causing expansion of your chest, it helps improve oxygen circulation.
This improves circulation, makes one’s mind rejuvenated and mentally peaceful.
