| Yoga exercises and relaxation techniques are the | | | | you can practice easy relaxation exercises at your |
| best ways to reduce and manage stress. If you are a | | | | desk or work station. For example, sit near the edge |
| solo-entrepreneur, a parent with small or teenage | | | | of your chair with your feet flat on the floor and your |
| children or in charge of a busy team at work then your | | | | hands resting on your lap. Lengthen your spine, slowly |
| day can be full of frustration and stress. | | | | arch your back and tilt your head back. Relax and |
| Once you are relaxed and stress free from worries | | | | take three deep breaths. Slowly return your body back |
| life is much more enjoyable and fun. There are many | | | | to centre. Repeat 3 - 5 times before resuming work. |
| stress management techniques available to help you | | | | 3. Lack of Privacy |
| reduce stress and feel more peaceful and calm. | | | | When you have small children it can be hard to find |
| Yoga provides you with a range of easy to do | | | | the privacy and peace and quiet you need to practice |
| exercises, breathing practices and meditation | | | | relaxation exercises. Children have an uncanny knack |
| techniques to help you completely rest and relax the | | | | of knowing when to disturb you - particularly when you |
| central nervous system. | | | | wish to have me-time. Even at a gym or health club |
| Even though you realise you need to rest and relax, | | | | you may feel self conscious about practicing yoga in |
| there are often many barriers in your way that can | | | | front of others. Have no fear as you can gain the |
| prevent you from using these practices to reduce your | | | | same benefits by practicing in bed. As you wake, take |
| stress. | | | | a long deep breath. As you exhale, slowly stretch your |
| Four Barriers to Reducing Stress | | | | body awake. Keep your legs straight out on the bed |
| 1. Lack of Time | | | | and gently point and flex your toes back and forth 5 - |
| As a working parent, your time is precious. If you feel | | | | 7 times. |
| stressed and overwhelmed, it can be challenging to fit | | | | 4. Lack of Practice and Planning |
| in a full regular yoga exercise practice. However you | | | | Like most things in life, to gain the maximum benefit |
| can relax and release muscular tension in as little as 2 | | | | from yoga and relaxation exercises, you need to |
| - 10 minutes. For example, inhale and as you exhale | | | | develop positive relaxation habits. That way you can |
| slowly turn your head to look over your right shoulder. | | | | easily reduce the times you feel stressed and know |
| Keep your chin level. Inhale again and as you exhale | | | | what to do when you are stressed. |
| turn your head back to the centre. Repeat to your left | | | | In the long term, if you wish to learn how to manage |
| shoulder. Repeat this sequence 3 - 5 times in each | | | | stress, you have to make the time to include stress |
| direction. | | | | busting tips into your every day routine. |
| 2. Lack of Space | | | | The rewards? You will have more time, energy and |
| If your job is demanding and you feel tired, frazzled | | | | space to do the things you enjoy. |
| and over burdened by demands from your colleagues, | | | | |