Yoga helps to bring balance between mind and body. Whenever we are feeling emotions, it impacts our body positively or negatively. Yoga asanas can have a profound impact on our emotional well-being and help to overcome negative emotions. Such yoga poses are identified in our scriptures and are designated to overcome negative emotions. Whenever we are not feeling energetic due to overwhelming emotions, we can make use of these asanas to feel better.

Here are examples of asanas that are commonly associated with specific emotional benefits:

1. Balasana (Child’s pose):

Emotional Benefits: Provides a sense of safety, calm, and relaxation. Helps to relieve stress and anxiety.

How to do It: Kneel on the floor, sit back on your heels, and stretch your arms forward on the mat. Rest your forehead on the ground.

2. Bhujangasana (Cobra pose):

Emotional Benefits: Opens the heart and chest, promoting feelings of courage and reducing feelings of depression.

How to do It: Lie on your stomach, place your hands under your shoulders, and gently lift your chest off the floor while keeping your elbows close to your body.

3. Setu Bandhasana (Bridge pose):

Emotional Benefits: Relieves anxiety and calms the mind. Promotes relaxation and opens the chest.

How to do It: Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Lift your hips towards the ceiling while keeping your feet and shoulders grounded.

4. Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward facing dog pose):

Emotional Benefits: Energizes the body and mind, relieves stress, and combats feelings of fatigue.

How to do It: Start on your hands and knees, lift your hips towards the ceiling, and straighten your legs and arms, forming an inverted V shape.

5. Virabhadrasana II (Warrior II pose):

Emotional Benefits: Builds confidence and strength, promotes courage, and enhances focus.

How to do It: Stand with your legs wide apart, turn one foot out, bend the knee of the turned-out foot, and extend your arms out to the sides.

6. Garudasana (Eagle pose):

Emotional Benefits: Promotes balance and focus, relieves stress, and improves concentration.

How to do It: Stand on one leg, wrap the other leg around it, and cross your arms in front of you while bringing your palms together.

7. Savasana (Corpse pose):

Emotional Benefits: Deep relaxation, stress relief, and mental clarity.

How to do It: Lie flat on your back with your arms and legs comfortably spread, palms facing up, and eyes closed.

8. Viparita Karani (Legs up the wall pose):

Emotional Benefits: Calms the nervous system, reduces anxiety, and promotes relaxation.

How to do It: Lie on your back and extend your legs up against a wall, forming a 90-degree angle with your body.

9. Anjaneyasana (Low Lunge pose):

Emotional Benefits: Opens the heart and hips, promoting emotional release and a sense of openness.

How to do It: Step one foot forward into a lunge position, lower the back knee to the ground, and lift your arms overhead.

10. Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend pose):

Emotional Benefits: Calms the mind, relieves stress and anxiety, and promotes introspection.

How to do It: Stand with your feet hip-width apart, bend forward at the hips, and let your upper body hang down while keeping your legs straight.

Practicing these asanas regularly can help manage emotions, reduce stress, and promote overall emotional well-being. Always listen to your body and practice within your limits.

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01/22/2017)