Each one of us has encountered some form of grief at some point in our lives. Whether it be the death of someone close to you, a breakup, or some other form of heartache, chances are, you will have had your own share of grief. Everyone deals with this intense emotion in their own way. To be able to properly process and deal with grief, a person will need to have an outlet.
One particular way to deal with grief, loss, and sadness is to do yoga. Many people are not aware that grief can manifest itself in both physical and mental forms for some people. Luckily, yoga and meditation will work wonders for people dealing with these negative feelings.
Best Tips to Manage Grief Using Yoga and Meditation
Yoga is a means to reach a higher consciousness. This technique will help you cope by relieving feelings of sadness, insecurity, and anxiety. The scientific explanation of why we feel horrible when we are grieving is that the body releases hormones like adrenaline, cortisol, and epinephrine. These hormones cause the muscles to become tense. These hormones are responsible for the physical pain that people tend to experience when they are heartbroken or grieving.
Poses for Grief
There are specific yoga poses that will help encourage blood flow and get rid of stress in the process. These poses will help you meditate and calm your mind in this difficult time.
Balasana (Child’s Pose) Flow
To get into the Child’s Pose, take your head to your shins while the tops f your feet rest on the floor. Bring your big toes together while spreading your knees apart. Shift your hips toward your heels and stretch your arms in front of you. Give your brain the chance to rest by placing your head on a block.
Sukhasana (Comfortable Pose)
This pose is a gentle way to open your mind and body after a traumatic experience. Sit on your mat or on a folded blanket. Cross your legs and have your right shin in front of your left. Inhale and reach your arms upward to the ceiling. When you exhale, fold over your legs, resting your forehead on the ground. Stay for 25 breaths and switch sides afterward.
Uttanasana (Standing Forward Fold)
This calming folding pose will help you relax your mind and body. On inhalation, step your feet hip-width distance apart and fold over your legs. Rest the crown of your head on a black if you can. If not, let your head hang. You may let your arms and hands dangle loosely or clasp opposite elbows.
Restorative Pascimottanasana (Western Stretch)
The western stretch will lengthen your back and allow you to relax your spine. Sit on your mat and separate your legs as wide as your hips. Put a block in between your legs, close to your shins. Inhale and reach your arms up. When you exhale, fold them over both legs. Lift the block up and have your forehead rest on it. Take 30 breaths in this position before recovering.
Conclusion
Practicing mindfulness and meditation through yoga is an extremely effective way to help your mind and body deal with stressful situations brought on by grief. While it is impossible to feel better right away, yoga will help you gain a better understanding of your situation and provide a means of coping with the overall situation.
Let EightLimFit help you deal with pain, grief, and sadness today. We are committed to sharing the wisdom of yoga, personal training, senior exercise programs, Life Coaching, and motivational stories. We educate and train to bring greater health, happiness, and wellbeing into the lives of those in our community. We strive to encourage and help individuals develop their potential by believing they can reach their goals. Start a yoga program or find a life coach today!