| Have you ever experienced an emotional upset, such | | | | Sadness, pain and emotional turmoil zap your energy. |
| as bereavement, the break-down of a close | | | | You feel drained, stressed and tired. Yoga exercises |
| relationship, or even redundancy? Maybe you are | | | | help to address this imbalance. As you practice yoga |
| currently going through a painful divorce and feel | | | | you instantly feel energised and revitalised. |
| vulnerable, low and sad. | | | | 3. Yoga opens your heart When you are sad, unhappy |
| When you feel emotionally low, what do you do to | | | | and feel alone, your heart centre shuts down. Yoga |
| pick yourself up and feel better again? Do you reach | | | | exercises, particular backbend posture, for example, |
| for the cake and biscuit tin and comfort eat, slouch in | | | | the cobra, camel, the fish, awakens and strengthens |
| front of the TV, mindlessly flicking between channels | | | | the heart chakra. Over time, as you heal, regular yoga |
| or phone a friend and spend hours reliving your pain | | | | practice makes it easier for you to transform negative |
| and sadness. | | | | emotional thoughts into positive, loving energy. |
| Have you noticed that these strategies don't really | | | | 4. Yoga stimulates your throat centre. Blocked |
| work? You still feel sad, miserable and unhappy and; if | | | | emotions make it difficult for you to communicate your |
| you gorged on cakes and biscuits you probably now | | | | sense of loss and sadness. Yoga poses, such as the |
| feel bloated and guilty for over eating. | | | | shoulder stand, the plough and the breathing practice - |
| When you feel like this what else can you do, to boost | | | | the lion roar, help to stimulate your throat chakra which |
| your energy and lift your spirits? | | | | means you are able to express your pain, voice your |
| From personal experience and conversations with my | | | | differences and ask for help. |
| yoga students, yoga is the ideal antidote to lighten your | | | | 5. Yoga brings intuitive knowledge When your energy |
| mood and boost your morale when low. | | | | is low, it is hard for you to see beyond your immediate |
| Five Mental Health Reasons Yoga Improves Your | | | | pain and discomfort. You feel disconnected and alone, |
| Mood: | | | | which increases your sense of loss. Yoga exercises |
| 1. Yoga energies your body When you practice yoga, | | | | and philosophy gives you a deeper meaning and |
| you stretch your body which helps to release tension | | | | connection to life. Over time, you gain a sense of the |
| and blockages in your body. As you release physical | | | | harmony and balance that exist within and around you. |
| tension, your emotional wellbeing automatically | | | | In summary, as you can see, yoga exercises help to |
| improves. | | | | easily improve your mood, so you feel better, lighter |
| 2. Yoga helps you cope better with emotional stress. | | | | and happier. |