2 quick tips to destress

stressed out? mind spinning in all directions?

exhale.
One of the best ways to bring yourself back down to earth is to lengthen your exhalations. This form of breathing encourages the nervous system to become calm and quiet, moving the body into a more restful state of being.


focus.
Sometimes when the world sends us spinning, we want to do nothing more than drop everything and stare into space. But this approach often gives the brain free rein to continue its obsessive and agitated thinking. Instead, try focusing your mind in a constructive and engaging way: practice a challenging yoga pose or an absorbing breathing exercise. Or try a forward fold, hang loose there a bit, and let a fresh supply of blood give you a new perspective.

anti-aging, upside down

Aging: flip it and reverse it.

After years of combating gravity, all the organs, especially the heart and the rest of the circulatory system, grow sluggish, which results in less nourishment to our cells and leaves us vulnerable to heart disease, fatty deposits in the blood vessels, varicose veins, and other effects of aging.

Though the effects of gravity are inevitable, we can do a great deal to counteract their impact. Like the original yogis, we can cleverly beat gravity at its own game by turning the body upside down. This simple action benefits the whole body. Early yoga masters stressed the importance of inversions and said that Headstand and Shoulderstand could conquer old age. Entry-level inversions: downward facing dog, or a half-headstand on the wall, or simply lying down with the legs up against the wall.

I was terrified of headstand for many years. For a while I even thought my head was too pointy to balance on. I would get into position against a wall, but I was scared to kick up -- I always thought I'd come crashing down. Then, a few years ago I had a breakthrough. I think partially it was due to better arm/core strength - the head is no factor, and also a moment of alignment enlightenment. Now I'm working on balancing unsupported, anywhere. My friend Alison, who lives out in Colorado, does a headstand on top of every mountain she climbs. Soon, that will be my peak ritual too. Hiking + headstand: beats any anti-aging remedy.

deeper backbends

I was watching the Olympic Women's Gymnastic Trials a few weeks ago and was so blown away with the amazing balance, and especially flexibility of the young gymnasts. The arches in their backs are so amazing, they are practically folding in half. Great flexibility in my back has always been a challenge for me. It is easier for me to be flexible in my hamstrings and legs, and I need to spend more time backbending.

Maybe you've been in a yoga class and looked around and seen fellow yogis in some really fabulous wheel poses. Greater flexibility in backbends just takes practice, according to Yoga Journal. The only way to learn a new pattern in the body and mind is to practice it consistently. And it's important not to force a biggie right off the bat. Start small, breathe, and gently test your edge. Repeat regularly. Do backbends that feel appropriate to you as often as possible.

Yoga Journal had this advice that I found interesting: Incorporate backbends into your daily life. You can do small backbends—like clasping your hands behind your back, lifting your chest, and simply stretching—while sitting in your chair at work, waiting for the train, or standing in line at the grocery store.

so easy! i just backbended right now!