{"id":100963,"date":"2018-06-01T10:32:58","date_gmt":"2018-06-01T14:32:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wanderlust.com\/?p=100963\/"},"modified":"2020-01-14T13:32:37","modified_gmt":"2020-01-14T18:32:37","slug":"elena-browers-fave-yoga-poses-calm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wanderlust.com\/de\/journal\/elena-browers-fave-yoga-poses-calm\/","title":{"rendered":"Elena Brower’s Fave Yoga Poses for Calm"},"content":{"rendered":"

We’ve all been there: The hustle and bustle of the world becomes just a bit too much and we turn to our mat in an effort to find calm among the chaos. And yet sometimes our mat doesn’t feel like a refuge\u2014sweaty Sun Salutations and energizing twists can sometimes aggravate an already stressed mind. In these moments, it’s important to remember that yoga is so much more than an active asana practice. When we pause in more grounded asanas, we are able to slow the sympathetic nervous system (our „flight or fight“ response) and activate<\/a> the parasympathetic nervous system, which actually lowers blood pressure and slows the heart.<\/p>\n

The ability to favor calm over fight or flight is one major aspect of what renowned yoga teacher and best-selling author Elena Brower<\/a> considers to be wellness. „Wellness,“ she says, „is your capacity to let the events of your life in and through you.“ It’s when we’re able to take stock of a situation and respond accordingly, rather than react out of fear or anger.<\/p>\n

Here are Elena’s four favorite asanas to access this kind of calm.<\/p>\n

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Photo by Ali Kaukus<\/div><\/div>\n

Child’s Pose<\/h3>\n

Child’s Pose<\/a>, or Balasana, is typically how we begin practice, grounding into the Earth. It balances your root chakra, allowing you a feeling of being held by gravity and supported. To get into it, sit back on your heels, with your knees either spread wide or together. If you’re looking for more rounding in your back, bring your knees together (this may feel really nice if you tend to stand with your hips out and your low back curved). If you’re looking for release in your low back, spread your knees wide, keeping your toes together. Reach your arms out long in front of you for a slight release along the underside of your arms, or bring them back by your side. Let the tops of your feet press into the mat, and breathe.<\/p>\n

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Photo by Rares Peicu<\/div><\/div>\n

Half \/ Full Lotus Pose<\/h3>\n

Lotus Pose, or Padmasana<\/a>, may conjure up images of a sadhu sitting stoically in a cave\u2014but you don’t have to be a guru (or even a devotee) to benefit from its effects. Keeping your spine straight as your crown reaches upward and your sitz bones root into the Earth can have a calming effect on your brain. This may be a difficult pose if you have tight hips or hamstrings, and forcing yourself into something that’s not good for your body has absolutely zero calming effects: Listen to your legs, and stay safe. To get into it, cross one ankle onto the opposite thigh. Stay there for Half Lotus if this feels good. If you’re looking for more, cross the other ankle over the other thigh. Let your sitz bones root and breathe your crown upward.<\/p>\n