Anxiety can be distressing, often making you overthink multiple scenarios of how a situation might pan out. It’s like the mind is always stuck on worst-case outcomes, bracing for impact. Over time, you start to feel worn out, and the mental noise drains you. Anxiety is like a quiet restlessness that’s always quietly lurking. Yoga, however, can ground your thoughts, offering solace.
In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Himalayan Siddhaa Akshar, yoga expert and founder of Akshar Yoga Kendraa, explained how yoga helps to alleviate an anxious mood.
He said, “ Yoga is an ancient practice known for promoting both physical health and mental stability. It is a holistic discipline that offers tools for emotional regulation and self-awareness, helping to achieve mental harmony. Regular yoga practice helps reduce anxiety by calming the nervous system. It plays an important role in promoting mental health.”
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The yoga expert shared these 6 yoga asanas and how one can do them:
1. Vrikshasana (Tree Pose)
This asana enhances concentration and stability.
How to do-
- Stand in samasthithi
- Lift your right foot and place it on your left thigh
- Hold your hands in pranam mudra and lift them upwards
- Focus on one point and gaze forward
- Hold for 10 seconds
- Adhomukhasvanasana (Downward Facing Dog)
- This asana energises the mind and reduces depression.
- Start on your palms and knees
- Curl your toes and then straighten your knees
- Try to touch your heels to the mat
- Hold for 10 seconds
2. Setubandh Sarvangasana (Bridge Pose)
It stimulates the nervous system.
How to do-
- Lie down on your back
- Fold your knees hip-width apart
- Lift your pelvis upwards; your knees and ankles should be aligned
- Interlock your hands and stretch forward
- Hold for 10 seconds
3. Shant Anulom Vilom (alternate nostril breathing)
It induces deep relaxation and promotes mental peace.
- Sit comfortably in Sukhasana
- Keep your spine straight and shoulders relaxed
- Close the right nostril with your right thumb
- Inhale slowly and deeply through the left nostril
- Close the left nostril and exhale gently and completely through the right nostril
- Inhale slowly through the right nostril, close the right nostril, and exhale through the left nostril
- Practice for 5 minutes daily
4. Shant Bhastrika
This practice is ideal for reducing stress and anger. It focuses on cooling the body and mind.
- Sit comfortably in Sukhasana with a straight spine
- Keep your hands in Gyan mudra
- Inhale slowly and deeply, and exhale gently through the nose
- Practice 5–10 rounds initially, gradually increasing the time
5. Sheetali Pranayama (cooling breath technique)
This pranayama relieves stress and tension, cools your body, and supports detoxification.
- Sit in any comfortable position, such as Sukhasana
- Straighten your back and close your eyes
- Place your palms on your knees facing up (in Prapti mudra)
- Extend your tongue out and fold its sides to form a tube-like shape
- Inhale deeply through your rolled tongue
- Take your tongue back inside your mouth and close it
- Exhale through your nostrils
- Repeat 10–15 times
6. Hakini Mudra
To grow in your life, you need the support of many powers. Among these, your mind is the most important power. If your mind supports you, you will grow multiple times, and to build this energy system, we can take help from the Hakini Mudra. It’s a very easy and powerful practice.
- Use both hands, connect all fingers so that the tips touch each other, and keep your hands in front of your stomach.
- Practising for 10 to 15 minutes early in the morning will give you positive results.
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Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.