The Best Yoga Poses To Reduce Moving Stress
Moving day can be hectic. Where does this go? Where did my packing and loading helpers run off to? When on earth am I going to find time to clean? Panicked thoughts can clog your mind and make you forget to pause and breathe, let alone take care of your body.
Believe it or not, it’s possible to get through a move without tossing your well-being out the window. “Be kind to yourself. Moving can be stressful, so take your time,” says Alix Emery, a yoga instructor at The Body Electric Yoga Studio in St. Petersburg, Florida. “Listen to your body, know when to ask for help, and know when to rest.”
Alix is a certified Hatha and Rocket Vinyasa instructor who focuses on core strength, breathing, and patience in movement. We asked her to share some yoga exercises for those of us in the middle of moving, to prepare and then heal our bodies, and help relax during an otherwise chaotic time. Be sure to check with your healthcare provider before beginning a new exercise regimen, and don’t be afraid to avoid any positions that cause discomfort.
BEFORE YOU GET MOVING
Get into the habit of doing yoga several days before your move. It’s important to get used to doing yoga to reduce stress ahead of time, so on moving day it comes naturally as a way to release tension. Cat-Cow Pose is great to begin with, helping to loosen up your spine while stretching your back and torso. It’s great for releasing neck tension, too.
To start your Cat-Cow, kneel on an exercise mat, or the floor, if comfortable. Set your hands and knees on the ground, hip-width apart. Make sure your hands are facing forward and are directly under your shoulders. Your knees should be directly under your hips as well. Look straight ahead.
Inhale, raise your chin, and tilt your head back like you’re laughing. Raise your tailbone and push your navel down. Take long, deep breaths for 10 to 15 seconds, aiming to hold the posture for at least five breaths.
As you exhale, drop your chin to your chest. Arch your back up as much as you can. Hold this pose for another 10 to 15 seconds, and again, take deep, full breaths.
Return to where you started with a flat back. Continue to arch and bow your back, alternating between these poses for five or six rounds. You should be feeling much looser now, we hope!
Believe it or not, it’s possible to get through a move without tossing your well-being out the window. “Be kind to yourself. Moving can be stressful, so take your time,” says Alix Emery, a yoga instructor at The Body Electric Yoga Studio in St. Petersburg, Florida. “Listen to your body, know when to ask for help, and know when to rest.”
Alix is a certified Hatha and Rocket Vinyasa instructor who focuses on core strength, breathing, and patience in movement. We asked her to share some yoga exercises for those of us in the middle of moving, to prepare and then heal our bodies, and help relax during an otherwise chaotic time. Be sure to check with your healthcare provider before beginning a new exercise regimen, and don’t be afraid to avoid any positions that cause discomfort.
BEFORE YOU GET MOVING
Get into the habit of doing yoga several days before your move. It’s important to get used to doing yoga to reduce stress ahead of time, so on moving day it comes naturally as a way to release tension. Cat-Cow Pose is great to begin with, helping to loosen up your spine while stretching your back and torso. It’s great for releasing neck tension, too.
To start your Cat-Cow, kneel on an exercise mat, or the floor, if comfortable. Set your hands and knees on the ground, hip-width apart. Make sure your hands are facing forward and are directly under your shoulders. Your knees should be directly under your hips as well. Look straight ahead.
Inhale, raise your chin, and tilt your head back like you’re laughing. Raise your tailbone and push your navel down. Take long, deep breaths for 10 to 15 seconds, aiming to hold the posture for at least five breaths.
As you exhale, drop your chin to your chest. Arch your back up as much as you can. Hold this pose for another 10 to 15 seconds, and again, take deep, full breaths.
Return to where you started with a flat back. Continue to arch and bow your back, alternating between these poses for five or six rounds. You should be feeling much looser now, we hope!