My weekend turned out to be quite a disaster, even though I had so many exciting things planned. I intended on having a NYC day on Saturday and then catching up with some old friends later on that night. Friday screwed everything up!
I was unfortunately involved in a car accident late Friday night and spent my whole Saturday in the ER. Throbbing headache, swollen wrist, humongous disgusting thing on my leg- I was a disaster. Diagnosed with a fractured wrist, chipped sternum, and second degree burn on my leg, I wasn't much of a happy camper. What a weekend, huh!
Due to all this, I am now restricted from any strenuous activities, which means no gym for me. This upsets me deeply, especially now with Spring finally giving us a taste of its presence. Since I can't work out, I wondered to myself- what can i do to still keep in shape and sane at the same time?
I pondered ...
and pondered ...
and pondered ...
And then it came to me - in order to heal my wounds on the outside, I must fix myself on the inside. By healing my mind with spiritual ambiance and faith in the good, I shall heal.
My dad is a huge Yoga fan, so he taught me some great breathing techniques that calm the nerves and essentially relax my mind from the stress as well as my heart from the tears.
The first breathing exercise he taught me is to breathe with your stomach.You must inhale and feel your stomach extend out, then exhale bringing your stomach back in. Hold one hand on your stomach and the other on your chest. It takes great concentration and several efforts, but I finally have come to master this first breathing technique. The second exercise involves breathing with your rib cage and the third involves the chest. I haven't yet mastered these, but am trying every night.
Some other breathing stress-relieving yoga exercises to try:
fitness MagazineUpside-Down
- Sit facing a wall with your butt six inches away from the wall
- Lie on your back and extend your legs up against the wall
- Let your arms rest by your side, palms facing up. Breathe gently, feeling the stretch in the backs of your legs
- Stay in this pose and breathe for about two minutes
- If it is too intense of a stretch for your hamstrings, slide your butt farther away from the wall. If not enough, scoot closer.
Cat's Stretch
- Sit up comfortable on your heels
- Roll torso forward, bringing your forhead to rest on the bed
- Lower your chest to your knees as comfortably as possible
- Extend arms out infront of you
- Hold the pose and breathe for about two minutes
fitness Magazine
Rock-A-Bye Roll
Lie on your back, bringing your knees into your chest- Cross your ankles and wrap arms around your shins, clasping hands together
- Inhale and rock your body up to sit; exhale as you roll back down
- Continue for one minute
fitness magazine
This Five Minute routine should get your mind, body, and soul relaxed and relieved from all the negativity and stress you may be experiencing. It worked for me!
Hope you enjoy these exercises and try them out yourselves. You will be surprised what a deep breathe in, and deep breathe out can really do for your mind and body. So whenever you are having a bad day, just remember- BREATHE!
Let the stress melt and till next time,
Ree
