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I’ve been super stressed at work lately. When that happens, I’m especially prone to feeling the tension in my neck and back. It feels tight, almost clogged- as if the stress of my day-to-day has actually congealed in and around my spine. I’ll feel sluggish, get headaches and even feel sick to my stomach. Simply put, when I’m stressed, my body is not a happy camper.

Lately though, I’ve taken to trying to practice a little yoga, every day. Whether it’s a few simple sun-salutations when I wake up, or a full-out power yoga session- I notice the difference all day long. I’m already getting fewer headaches, my neck hurts less and I’m able to sleep better. Best of all, I feel energized for hours afterward. Yoga has even replaced my daily evening naps!

I started it as a stress reliever, but, as I advanced from basic stretching postures to more advanced holds, I began to recognize the effect it was having on my body as well. My muscles feel stronger, my stomach- tighter. Even my posture has improved! I’m not really one for the gym, but having my Yoga Mat spread next to by bed beckons me to exercise every day. Even my cats cant resist stopping for a stretch!

Suddenly I was fitting in crunches, push-ups and leg-lifts in between sun-salutations, and I’ve added a weighted ball to make some postures harder, and improve my muscle strength. For me, yoga is becoming something of a cure-all. It’s my method of relaxation as well as my daily-exercise. It’s my headache medicine, as well as my coffee. I’m falling in love with yoga- hippy dippy chatter and all. I no longer giggle when my yogadownload instructor tells me to melt into my mat, breathe into my hips or feel the weight of my floor beneath me. Sure, my boyfriend chuckles– but I’m the one who rises from my mat 20 minutes later feeling like a new woman.

If you’re interested in giving yoga a shot, start slowly with a few morning sun-salutations.

Here are the basic steps:

1. Stand with feet together, arms held palm to palm at the center of your chest
2. As you inhale, raise your arms upward, reaching your fingertips to the sky. Slowly bend slightly backwards- stretching your arms above your head.
3. Bend forward as you slowly exhale. Try to touch the floor with your fingertips. Bring your nose to your knees.
4. Inhale and take a wide step backward with your right leg, keeping your hands on the ground- left foot between hands. You should be in a low-lunge. Raise your head to the sky.
5. Exhale and bring your left foot back. Push arms straight and hang head between elbows. Raise hips. Your body should form an upward arch or triangle. You are now in Downward Facing Dog- one of yoga’s staple postures. Breathe here for a moment.
6. Exhale and lower your body to the floor very slowly (work those arms!) until your feet, knees hands, chest and forehead are touching the ground.
7. Inhale and slowly raise your head as you bend backward as much as possible. This pose is called Upward Facing Dog.
8. Exhale and curl your toes under. Push back up into Downward Facing Dog.
9. Inhale and step your left leg back, keeping your right foot between your hands. You are now in your low lunge. Raise your head.
10. Exhale slowly as you rise and bend forward, grazing the mat with your fingertips.
11. Inhale, roll up (one vertebrae at a time) and stretch your arms back.
12. Return to center, standing tall with your palms together at your sternum.

That’s one sun-salutation! (Each posture in the image above pertains to a step, in order, in case you need a visual). Give it a try. I guarantee you’ll feel better- and if you stick with it- you can even burn some serious calories!

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