Yoga to beat stress

Yoga to beat stress
Try out these yoga asanas to beat stress and stay fit



Kapalbhati Kriya

Sit in sukhasana or padmasana.
Keep neck straight.
Place hands on knees, eyes gently closed.
Exhale forcefully through nostrils, while pulling stomach in.
Repeat 40–50 times or till tired.
Increase gradually to 80–100 times.
Benefits: Fights obesity; eliminates toxins from air passages; combats asthma and arthritis; massages abdominal muscles and organs
Caution: Exhale slowly if you have heart disease, high blood pressure or hernia.

Tadasana

Stand erect, heels together.
Place hands on chest, fingers interlocked.
Stretch arms ahead; slowly raise them upwards while inhaling.
Raise heels, stand on toes; stretch entire body upwards.
Stay relaxed; breathe normally.
Slowly unlock fingers; bring arms down to your sides and relax.
Repeat 4 - 5 times.
Benefits: Regular practice strengthens spine, ankles, knees, thighs, abdomen and shoulders; relieves physical exhaustion. Useful for increasing height, but works best for those under 20.

Urdhvahastottanasana

Stand erect, heels joined.
Interlock fingers; slowly raise hands upwards while inhaling.
Exhale and turn left at the waist.
Hold position breathing normally.
Inhale and bring body back to erect position.
Repeat for right side.
Repeat asana 6–8 times.
Benefits: Bolsters digestive system (stomach, liver and intestines); counters constipation; tones spine and kidney; gradually eliminates waist and tummy flab; enhances body’s elasticity

Uttanpadasana

Stretch body; keep it taut.
Inhale; raise legs slowly, placing pressure on hands.
Hold legs at 60° angle from ground; breathe normally.
Feel maximum pressure on legs and abdomen.
Do not let face or neck get tense.
Return legs slowly to original position.
Repeat 3 - 4 times.
Benefits: Energises digestive organs, lung, heart, stomach, liver, spleen and intestine; counters constipation, flab around belly and low blood pressure