• 1. Child’s Pose (Balasana)
• 2. Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskar)
• 3. Standing Forward Bend (Uttanasana)
• 4. Tree Pose (Vrksasana)
• 5. Corpse Pose (Savasana)
• 6. Legs Up The Wall (Viparitakarani)
• 7. Locust Pose (Shalabhasana)
• 8. Warrior Pose 1, 2 & 3 (Veerabhadrasana 1, 2 & 3)
• 9. Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana)
• 10. Downward Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana)

Yoga for anxiety is an absolute must-try if your stress levels are getting in the way of your daily life. Yoga poses release tightness from the muscles, blockage in the flow of prana (life force energy), and anxiety from the mind. They can activate your parasympathetic nervous system, thus taking you from a state of stress to a place of peace. Without further ado, here are the best yoga poses for anxiety.

Yoga For Anxiety

1. Child’s Pose (Balasana)

Widely taught in yoga for stress management programmes, the Child’s Pose makes your body naturally breathe deeply, from the abdomen. It stretches your back gently, and brings feelings of comfort and stillness. Excellent for insomnia.

2. Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskar)

Sun Salutations give your body an entire work out. They give all your muscles a much-needed stretch, thus releasing tension from them. This pose burns away those stress hormones and promotes a sense of optimism. It’s best practised in the morning.

3. Standing Forward Bend (Uttanasana)

Next on the list yoga poses for anxiety, the Standing Forward Bend works on your back, neck, and shoulders – where we store a whole lot of stress. Moreover, it sends blood flowing to your brain, bringing you a wonderful feeling of release.

4. Tree Pose (Vrksasana)

Feeling ungrounded? Become a tree! The Tree pose improves balance and focus. It strengthens the Root Chakra, which is the energy centre that helps you feel stable, strong, calm, and optimistic. This pose also boosts your sense of confidence. A must-try.

5. Corpse Pose (Savasana)

No yoga for anxiety session is complete without a nice long Savasana practice. It loosens and relaxes every inch of your body. Your blood pressure starts to come down. And your thoughts slowly fade out. It’s so relaxing, you’ll probably fall asleep!

6. Legs Up The Wall (Viparitakarani)

This is one of the most relaxing yoga for stress exercises. It’s also wonderfully soothing and comforting. By boosting blood flow to your brain, it promotes a feeling of deep rest. It also takes care of stress headaches.

7. Locust Pose (Shalabhasana)

The Locust Pose is not one of the first things that come to mind when people talk of yoga for stress, but it’s very effective. It gives a gooood stretch to your back, shoulders, neck, arms, and legs – thus releasing energy blockages in all these areas. It refreshes the mind wonderfully.

8. Warrior Pose 1, 2 & 3 (Veerabhadrasana 1, 2 & 3)

Theses three yoga poses for anxiety significantly boost strength, balance, and a sense of grounding. They give you some much-needed energy and determination when you’re feeling overwhelmed. By focusing the mind, they promote a sense of stillness.

9. Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana)

Anxiety can often make us lose positivity, confidence, and the feeling of vitality. If you’re experiencing this, it’s time to start practising the Cobra Pose. While releasing stress from your back, it boosts an overall sense of well-being. It’s a good pose to do in the morning.

10. Downward Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana)

One of the most popular poses taught in yoga for stress management, the Downward Dog is an inversion – meaning that it sends blood flowing to your brain. Moreover, it stretches your hamstrings. This helps you feel relaxed and refreshed. It’s a great mood-booster and helps those with anxiety as well as depression.

Note: Posts on Ayurvedum are solely for the purpose of sharing the goodness of Ayurveda and bringing awareness about natural and healthy living. Please do not substitute it for professional medical advice. Ingredients discussed can interfere with certain medications. So, before using anything to treat yourself, always consult an Ayurveda doctor or practitioner.