Yoga teaches us to cure what need not be endured and endure what cannot be cured.  B.K.S Iyengar – Yoga Guru

How does Yoga provide healing? By uniting the soul, the heart, the mind and body through the power of movement, flow of breath and clearing our cluttered heads.

When you begin to heal the soul, healing of the mind, body and every aspect of life will follow. There are many forms of healing within Yoga including; guided meditation, chanting practices, spiritual understanding and of course asana (movement). For most of us, we are drawn to yoga after learning of the abundance of physical benefits, but if you’re anything like me – ultimately it is the transformation of the mind that draws you back to your mat day after day. Your practice begins to be about so much more than just improving your physique, it’s transformative practice brings healing to the mind, body and spirit.

Sleep Healing 

The next time you find yourself lying awake at night, grab your yoga mat and try this pose.

SPHINX POSE – Lye on your stomach, prop yourself up on your forearms, arrange your elbows directly under your shoulders. Press firmly through your palms and the tops of your feet. Press your pubic bone forward. You will feel a response in your lower back, try to breathe through it – allow the blood flow into the lower back for healing. Hold for 1-3 minutes.

Stress Healing 

Relaxing for one minute gives your mind and muscles a moment to escape everyday insanity…

CHILDS POSE – Sit back on heels with the big toes touching, take knees as wide as the mat. Lean forward, surrendering your torso over your thighs and lowering forehead to mat. Extend arms forward, palms down, shoulder distance apart. Relax into the pose, widening knees or bending elbows a bit, as you want. Centre on the breath and relax deeper into pose with each exhale.

Heartbreak Healing 

Heart-opening poses free the tightness in your chest, and can make your heart feel truly lighter, brighter, and more open to the love coming from those around you.

DANCERS POSE – Stand with feet parallel hip-width apart. Balancing on your left leg, bend your right knee, and grab the outside of your right foot with your right hand. Keeping your hips parallel and facing the front of your mat, press your right foot into your right hand and stretch your left arm up toward the ceiling. Keep your right leg bent. Press down through your left leg, move your torso slightly forward as your lift your right leg higher. Hold for 5 long breaths. Lower, and repeat on the opposite side.

 

Body Healing 

LEGS UP THE WALL  – Sit on one end of a mat with your right hip touching a wall. Lean back, turn to lie flat on the mat, and extend your legs up the wall; your bottom should be nearly touching the wall and your legs should be together. Put your hands on your belly or rest them on the mat above your head or by your side. Close your eyes, relax your jaw, and drop your chin slightly. Breathe deeply and slowly for 3 to 10 minutes.

Take a chance and begin to be the master of healing in your own life. 

Article by Bree Pagliuso

For more ways to heal the mind + body + soul. Head over to Holistic Wellness.