Enjoying Exercise for Stress Relief

Stress is an everyday challenge faced by millions of people all around the globe. There are just so many causes of stress today, aren't there? We worry about our work; about our finances; about our family and partners; often our friends cause us grief. Yes, so many of us suffer from stress, but how many think of using exercise for stress relief?

Certainly, medication and a visit to your doctor can help - in fact if stress is overwhelming this should be a priority! - but before things get that bad, consider the stress relief that comes from exercise. It's well known in the medical profession that exercise for stress relief calms both body and mind, and can help bring all kind of daily worries into perspective.

Examples of Exercise for Stress Relief

Probably the most effective exercise for stress relief is Yoga. This is because it calms the mind and body by centering all energy on relaxation, which in turn helps us be at peace or 'in tune with' our surroundings. This is good in itself, but this sensation of peace and tranquility can pervade our lives for hours after the stress relief exercise session.

However, some people find the 'slowing down' aspect of Yoga difficult, so for them a more suitable stress relief exercise may be Aerobics. This is a more up-beat exercise that stimulates the flow of endorphins, i.e. chemicals which bring about feelings of happiness and security - and they are 100% good for us! Ridding ourselves of stored-up energy by performing aerobic exercise is something that will bring stress relief very quickly.

More Tips for Stress Relief Exercise

If you choose Yoga as a stress relief exercise but you feel daunted by the time and endurance required, why not try a few easier moves that anyone can do everyday? These will keep your stress in check!

The first involves breathing. Ideally it should be done lying flat on your back, but it can be done seated or standing:

* Ensure that your arms are straight against your sides and you're facing straight ahead.

* Close your eyes and breathe in slowly and deeply through the nose for five seconds.

* Now breath out through the mouth for five seconds.

* Do this twenty times, resisting any urge to speed up.

* Concentrate on clearing everything from your mind by focusing on your breath.

Another Yoga exercise for stress relief can be performed before or after the breathing exercise, and this one is a little more energetic. Lower yourself on your hands and knees, head facing down. Now lift your right leg and bring your knee in toward your face.

As the knee comes forward, exhale slowly. Next, push your right leg back until it is behind your body, and breath in slowly while doing this. When your leg is suspended in mid-air behind your trunk, hold it for three seconds along with your breath. Do this ten times with each leg.

There are, of course, many forms of exercise for stress relief and this article has only given you a tiny sample. If the thought of exercise puts you off, why not try it anyway - just to see if it works? When you begin to reap the benefits and feel more calm, centered and relaxed, and when you become aware of your increased energy and enthusiasm, you'll be more than happy to make exercise for stress relief a part of your daily life.

Frank McGinty is a teacher, counselor, and internationally published author, with lots of experience in helping people improve their lives. Would you too like to overcome stress and anxiety - and be happy, optimistic and prosperous? Discover some outstanding resources here: http://www.stressreliefgold.com

And read Frank's review of the best-selling package, The PowerPause, at http://powerpause.fssgold.com

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Yoga in Practice - Solutions for Negativity

One method for releasing negative energy, from within, is to practice Yoga in classes. The person, who is negative, must want to change, and must stay in Yoga classes for this to work. Heres how participating in regular Yoga classes helps purge negative energy from the body, and mind, of anyone willing to go the distance.

The atmosphere of a Yoga studio, Yoga center, Ashram, or wellness center, is positive. Anyone who enters a Yoga class finds themselves immersed in optimism. Complete immersion in positive energy, and optimism, is hard to resist.

Some Yoga students often have histories of comebacks. These Yoga students have survived physical and mental hardships, when many people gave up on them. Without trying, the survivors in life become role models for all of us. Their will to survive is founded on a positive attitude.

On the other hand, a person who is a natural born pessimist may say, That will never work. A negative person must see reality and have a sincere desire to better him or herself. It is true that none of us will change, unless we want to.

The motivation to change ourselves for the best must occur from within. Some people receive gifts of books, audio books, DVDs, and Yoga classes. The person, who sends these gifts, hopes the recipient will gain the benefits of all this positive energy.

It is easy to develop a thick crust and refuse help. To go off into a corner and refuse to change is quite natural for some of us. What can you do if a person has refused help? You can explain that negativity is the source of is his or her isolation, but an outright refusal is an indication that you have done all you can, for the moment.

Copyright 2007 Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of Yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of Yoga Teacher Training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA.
http://www.riyoga.com

He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995. To receive a Free Yoga e-Book: "Yoga in Practice," and a Free Yoga Newsletter, please visit:
http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

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