Relax Intensively with Yoga

Society today places so much value on being busy, working hard, and managing a million different things at once. It doesn’t seem to value the benefits of relaxing and rejuvenating yourself through yoga and meditation.

To juggle the demands of work, social life, and family responsibilities, many people find themselves cutting back on the time they use to relax. Some even skip it altogether.

However, taking the time to rest and relax is critical for our mental and physical well-being. With demanding lifestyles, we all need to find ways to create balance in our lives and to make time for relaxation. Yoga is one way in which you can keep fit, find balance and relax without sacrificing too much time. The yoga relaxation pose, in particular, is well suited to bring you a feeling of inner peace and relaxation.

How to do the yoga relaxation pose

To start doing this restorative pose, lie on a yoga mat on your back with your arms slightly spread out from your body and your legs kept apart – similar to a star pose.

Next, inhale deeply through your nose and exhale through your mouth for a count of 5 seconds. Then, inhale and hold your breath for 5 seconds and exhale for another count of 5 seconds.

Repeat this breathing technique (called square breathing) for a few minutes while lying still on the mat.

Then, begin to shift your focus to different areas of your body while visualizing them relaxing deeply. Start with your toes and tell yourself “my toes are deeply relaxed”. Then move your attention slowly upwards through your body from your toes to your feet while saying, “my feet are deeply relaxed.” Feel your feet being heavy and relaxed while sinking into the mat.

Keep doing this until you reach your head. This lets you reach a state of deep relaxation and inner calm. It should only take a few minutes, but this will reset how you feel and infuse your being with a sense of stillness and calm.

Once you’ve finished, lie on the mat for a few more minutes while practicing the breathing exercise to finish the session.

Afterward, repeat this relaxing yoga mantra: “I am self, I am pure awareness, I am a witness of consciousness.”

If you find it easier to be guided through this process, you can find many instructional yoga videos online. Alternatively, you can join a virtual or in-person yoga class.