| If you are morning the loss of a loved one, chances | | | | The essence of yoga is to become more aware and |
| are you feel sad, alone, lost and maybe even | | | | in tune with the inner workings of your body. This |
| depressed. At times, you may feel overwhelmed by | | | | increased awareness empowers you to tap into your |
| the roller coaster of emotions surging through your | | | | sadness and sense of powerless. With time and |
| body. | | | | regular yoga practice your enhanced powers of |
| Many people nowadays see yoga purely as a form of | | | | self-awareness helps you to lessen the effects of sad |
| physical exercise. However, yoga has an ancient | | | | and unhappy thoughts before they get lodged into |
| history and tradition of supporting people through | | | | your physical body and cause you more pain. |
| emotional suffering and physical pain. From personal | | | | 5. Yoga strengthens your connection to your higher |
| experience, my practice of yoga has helped to ease | | | | self. |
| my pain and sense of loss following the loss of my | | | | When you are in pain and locked in sadness, your life |
| dear brother and cousin. | | | | energy is blocked. Your connection to life is restricted |
| The body has an enormous capacity to heal itself. | | | | and in some cases, you lose faith and hope. Gentle |
| Here are seven ways yoga postures supports you as | | | | yoga stretches and breathing practices encourages |
| you grieve. | | | | you to see beyond your physical pain and emotion. |
| 1. Yoga teaches you to be still and accept your | | | | You regain a sense of union and connection with your |
| feelings. | | | | body. You feel alive and have an enhanced sense of |
| When you are in pain, the last thing you want to do is | | | | your ability to affect change in your life. |
| be still. The pain and sense of loss can drive you | | | | 6. Yoga teaches you grace and surrender. |
| crazy. To counteract this feeling, many people fill their | | | | Yoga has a rich philosophical history and ethical |
| time with activities and meetings. Anything to block out | | | | foundation. As you practice yoga, your understanding |
| the pain. The more you practice yoga, the easier it | | | | of life is deepened. You gain a heighten sense of |
| becomes for you to allow your pain to surface and for | | | | appreciation of your body's ability to self-heal and |
| you to feel strong enough to face your pain. | | | | support you. The more you practice yoga, you learn to |
| 2. Yoga encourages you to nurture yourself. | | | | surrender as you hold and go deeper into your poses. |
| Yoga postures, like the child pose and seated forward | | | | For example, try standing still in the mountain pose for |
| bend, allow your body to rest and your mind to | | | | 2 - 5 minutes and see what that feels like as you let |
| become calm. In this state it is easier for you to take | | | | go of tension and allow your breath to travel through |
| the time to breathe and send loving messages to your | | | | your body. |
| heart. The more love you can give to yourself, the | | | | 7. Yoga helps you to manage your feelings. |
| easier it is for you to release your sadness and grief | | | | Yoga breathing practices help you to relax, release |
| and allow love from others into your life. | | | | and breathe through any unpleasant or painful |
| 3. Yoga energises your body. | | | | memories you may have as you grieve, for example, |
| Fatigue and tiredness are symptoms of grief. You lack | | | | when you are feeling nervous and not quite yourself, |
| energy to do anything and it takes a lot of effort to do | | | | take a long breathe out and feel your shoulders and |
| the simplest of tasks. Yoga poses, for example, the | | | | abdomen relax or spend a few minutes just focusing |
| warrior sequence, the camel pose, bow pose or cobra | | | | on breathing deeply in and out through your nose. You |
| gives a lovely stretch to your spine. This stimulates the | | | | will feel calm and more able to articulate what you feel. |
| flow of spinal fluid, which helps to refresh your brain. | | | | Grief can be scary. The practice of yoga offers you a |
| These poses help to open and strengthen your heart | | | | safe and gentle way to be compassionate and gentle |
| chakra. This brings in fresh oxygen into your body | | | | with yourself and others as you heal. Take your time |
| which makes you feel alive and energised. | | | | and if you wish, please email me and share. |
| 4. Yoga increases your sense of self-awareness. | | | | |