For anyone that suffers from chronic anxiety, you know exactly how debilitating it can be. Yoga is a beautiful way to help naturally alleviate both anxiety and stress and we wanted to share 5 yoga poses that help to calm the nervous system and promote relaxation.  

1. Legs Up The Wall [Viparita Karani]

Basically, Legs Up the Wall pose is exactly that!  You lie on your back with your sit-bones as close to the wall as possible. From there, you extend your legs up the wall, so that the backs of your legs are resting fully against it.

2. Child's Pose [Balasana]

Kneel on the floor with your big toes touching and then sit the hips onto the heels. Separate your knees about as wide as your hips (or as wide as you feel comfortable) and lay the torso down between your thighs with your forehead grounded to the mat and palms facing upwards.

 3. Standing Forward Bend [Uttanasana]

Stand in Tadasana with the hands on the hips.  Hinge forward from the hips as you exhale and bring your palms or fingertips to the earth in front of you. You can bend your knees as much as you need to.

4. Cat/Cow [Marjaryasana/Bitilasana]

Begin in 4-point kneeling with the shoulders directly over wrists and the hips in line with the knees. As you inhale, drop the belly toward the mat whilst lifting the chest and chin upwards. As you exhale, round through the spine, tucking the chin to chest. Repeat as many times as feels comfortable.

5. Corpse Pose [Savasana]

Lie flat on your back with the heels spread as wide as your yoga mat and the arms a few inches away from the body, with the palms facing upwards. Make sure to relax your jaw by slightly parting the lips.