Do you suffer from frequent headaches? Whether from dehydration, stress, hangover or tension, headaches can cripple your daily activities.
If you’re not a fan of the medicine cabinet, head straight to the yoga mat. With its ability to relieve tension in the muscles, calm the mind, and boost circulation, yoga serves as a powerful tool to send the headache bag packing, naturally.
The next time you feel a headache trigger such as a sudden pounding in your head, tightness in your neck or shoulders or tension in your temples, try these seven yoga poses.
1Bidalasana, Or Cat Pose
Bidalasana Or Cat Pose is a beginner-friendly pose, bidalasana is a great stretch to release tension in the muscles (spine, shoulder, and neck) and improve circulation in the upper half of the body. It relaxes the mind, alleviates stress, and opens up the lungs, thus increasing oxygen intake.
2Shishuasana, Or Child’s Pose
Shishuasana Or Child’s Pose serves as the fundamental resting pose for most yoga practices and works as a great stress buster. It is known to calm the nervous system and quieten the mind, while also gently stretching the thighs, and arms to release tension and fatigue.
3Paschimottanasana Or Seated Forward Bend
Paschimottanasana Or Seated Forward Bend, this calming forward bend is believed to help a distracted mind unwind and pump up the circulation. Forward bends work to relieve headaches as they release stress and take the load off the heart.
4Hastapadasana Or Standing Forward Bend
Hastapadasana Or Standing Forward Bend stimulates circulation and increases the amount of blood reaching the brain. It rejuvenates the nervous system and reduces the sensitivity of the pain receptors.
5Ardha Matsyendrasana Or Seated Spinal Twist
Ardha Matsyendrasana Or Seated Spinal Twist relaxes tense muscles in the spine and lower back and releases stress. It also awakens various other parts of the body such as the digestive and the nervous system.
6Setu Bandhasana, Or Bridge Pose
Setu Bandhasana Or Bridge Pose increases the flow of blood to the head and eases pain and tension. It also works to control your blood pressure and reduce anxiety and depression.
7Savasana Or Corpse Pose
Savasana Or Corpse Pose focuses on relaxing both the mind and body. It rejuvenates the body by bringing it into a deep state of meditative rest, which works particularly well to ease tension headaches.
