Yoga for Stress and Difficult Times

When my marriage felt shaky and unsure, I came to my yoga mat for relief. I moved my body through poses in order to seek answers. I closed my eyes and felt my heartbeat. I inhaled deeply and witnessed my breath. I exhaled fully and tried to let go. While in pain, and inner turmoil, the yoga practice I had done for 20 years as a form of physical exercise became a sacred ritual, a way to befriend my body, and a way to take care of myself. 

When my marriage ended, and I began the process of divorce and recovery, yoga taught me to love myself. And through my divorce, and my new beginning, loving myself became the sole practice that carried me through.

Yoga is more than a physical exercise. When our bodies and our minds are stressed, emotional, worried, and confused, yoga brings clarity and inner peace. Yoga not only strengthens our physical muscles, it also strengthens our ability to be resilient, and to move through change and adversity. After my divorce, my yoga practice has stayed with me as a way to combat the stresses of single motherhood and dating. Yoga has kept my heart open, and reminded me that I am worthy of love. Yoga has given me a strong core, so I can make decisions that align with my own truth, rather than someone else’s. 

I had no idea when I came to my mat for relief, all the gifts and wisdom my yoga practice would bring me.

The beauty of yoga is that it grants immediate results. Tuning into the breath and the body will lessen feelings of stress and anxiety almost immediately. Of course, a consistent practice will deepen your sense of self and your ability to heal and move on from divorce, but even just a few minutes of breath and movement will bring instant relief. 

This video takes you through a 15 minute yoga practice for stress relief. The short, efficient practice can be done even if you have never done yoga before. The practice is not about the poses, but about YOU. It includes a short meditation, and then leads you through a few simple poses in order to tune in. By acknowledging how we feel, no matter where we are on our path, we can better understand what our body and our psyche needs. I hope these practices help you through any stress, worry, or fears you might be enduring.

To learn more about me, my story, and my online yoga membership, visit www.mollychanson.com