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Permalink Reply by circularlogic on September 3, 2009 at 7:52am

The best thing about yoga for quelling anxiety is the breathing. Controlled breathing does wonders for calming & unknotting the body. Breathe very deeply, picturing the breath entering all the tight areas & opening them up. Make sure to breathe out all the breath you are holding before breathing in. We tend to hold our breath or breathe very shallowly when tense, never fully filling or emptying our lungs. Think about this when you're actually working too-- you'll be amazed what a difference it makes.

The bridge is a good move to release tension in the front of the body, also cobra & pidgeon. Anything that reverses the typical hunch we all get when working at a desk...

You might consider investing in a fitness ball too... I find simply resting back-down on the ball & letting all my limbs drop to be a wonderful release after a tough deadline day! Again, remember to breathe!

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Permalink Reply by miss megan on September 3, 2009 at 8:53am

yeah, i've been working on trying to do more abdominal breathing as opposed to chest breathing since the chest breathing seems to only increase the tension in my belly.

thank you for the tips :)

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Permalink Reply by Allison on September 3, 2009 at 8:40am

If you search through the iTunes podcast secion - there is a free video podcast called Yogamazing with a guy named Chaz. He does yoga sessions aimed at certain aspects of life (ie: depression, anxiety, your legs, for flying, etc.) I have found it really helpful because he puts the moves in combinations for you. I'm sure you can check it out in the archive of his podcast.

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Permalink Reply by miss megan on September 3, 2009 at 8:53am

ooh, i'll have to check this out when i get home! :D

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Permalink Reply by Megan of *From the Hip on September 3, 2009 at 1:33pm

I agree completely with circularlogic about BREATHING! It is so essential. Whenever a certain part of my body feels out of whack, I make sure that when I hold poses, I focus my healing breath into that region of myself. It is a lot of mind/body connecting. I find that it works best for me to close my eyes and visualize the new air coming in and healing my body as I deeply inhale and "pushing" the negative air out as I deeply exhale. You feel amazing afterward if you remember to always focus your breath. Just remember to breath in through your nose and out through your mouth. Breath in and out as deeply as you can, then push a little harder and really get that good air in and bad air out. Hope that helps!

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Permalink Reply by Tangled Macrame on September 3, 2009 at 9:51pm

Someone posted this link a while back. It has yoga poses organized by parts of the body.
http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/finder/anatomical_focus/shoulders

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Permalink Reply by Kimberly on September 3, 2009 at 9:59pm

Wow, I am in the process of curing my GAD as well. I get that feeling in the middle of my chest and it really makes things difficult.

Now that i have taken up Hooping, i feel it really helps me out a lot. It keeps me focusing on something other than my thoughts.

It may not be yoga, but I also learned that deep breathing helps with anxiety too. I just lay down and listen to "the dive" by centerpointe which is a binary frequency (meditation cd's). I put one hand on my heart and the other on my stomach. And i breath from my stomach, breath in for five seconds, hold it for five seconds, and let it out. Repeat again and again. It works for me and calms me down. Try it! I hope it works for you as well!

love and light

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Permalink Reply by akhileshneo on April 12, 2012 at 5:43am

I would recommend yoga stomach exercises in addition to the regular practice, it will helpful to reduce stress, which is a common cause of abdominal fat. You can practice Bhujangasana for both anxiety and abdominal fat. Cobra pose is one of the most basic yoga stomach exercises that is easy to perform for anyone and really a great way to reduce abdominal fat. I hope this helps, thanks.

yoga teacher training

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Permalink Reply by saray on April 12, 2012 at 7:40am

I clicked on the yoga teacher training link. Do you have experience with them personally? I'm trying to decide who I want to train with for a 200hr cert. Thanks, this is one I haven't looked into.

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Permalink Reply by Janet Long on April 12, 2012 at 3:05pm

Hi. Really deep breathing is the best for reducing tension in belly and body, which is what you do during the entire yoga class, so any class should help, but not a yoga class too fast. One that is slow paced, it can be vigerous (doesn't have to be gentle), but not too fast.  I also recommend massage, especially if you can find someone who can do abdominal massage as well.  For the reason you mention in your message, so much stress gets stored in our abdomen, but sadly, so many massage therapists do belly massage.  But, regardless, massage and  yoga can help alot for you to be still, breath, and listen in to your inner wisdom.  I myself suffered from anxiety, both generalized anxiety and full blown panic attacks, many years ago.  I went a natural route and used both massage and yoga, as well as a whole host of natural methods to cure myself.  Natural and wholesesome diet, continual positive thoughts and out loud statements, being truthful with myself.  That was most important.  Job wasn't right, relationship wasn't right...you know the deal!  I have been a massage therapist and own a wellness center with yoga and massage for getting over my anxiety was life changing, you will prevail and be the better for it!   Write to me anytime, or friend me on this site.   And don't forget, changing HOW I breathed, not shallow, but deep, was most important.  Good luck on your journey.    I just realized, this is 3 years old, your post.  Oh well, and I just read the other comments, all good.   Well, I'll send anyway and if you're still on here, will be a reminder maybe. 

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