Yoga Poses for When You’re Stressed

I know that when you’re stressed, “do some yoga” can sound like one more thing on the list. But slow movement and deep breathing really can help you relax, and you don’t need a whole class to get something out of it. Here are two poses and a breathing exercise you can do at home.

Child’s Pose

This is a gentle one, and it’s good for letting go of tension in your back and neck. Start on your hands and knees. Sit back onto your heels and stretch your arms out in front of you on the floor. Let your forehead rest on the mat. Then just breathe, slow and deep, for a few minutes.

Standing Forward Fold

This one stretches your hamstrings and lower back. Stand with your feet hip-width apart and fold forward slowly. Let your hands rest wherever they reach, on your shins or on the floor. Bend your knees as much as you need to. Nobody’s grading you on touching your toes. Breathe slowly and stay there for a minute or two, then roll back up slowly.

4-7-8 breathing

Breathe in for a count of four. Hold it for a count of seven. Then breathe out for a count of eight. Do that several times in a row and let your breathing get slower and deeper as you go.