Shari Taylor, PhD
  • Home
  • Services & Offerings
    • Helpful Tools
    • Research
    • Yoga Practice
    • Nada Yoga
    • Events
    • Yoga for Back Pain
    • Downloads >
      • Two-Week Meditation Course
  • About
    • Mind-Body Therapy
    • Shari's Book List
    • Resources
    • Of Interest
    • Media
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Psychedelic Integration & Support
  • Self-healing exercises

Yoga Therapy for Stress and Anxiety

2/1/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
Has anyone ever told you to “Just breathe” when you're feeling stressed or anxious?
_     This is a simple yet profound piece of advice to receive when you're under pressure. Focusing on the inhalations and exhalations brings a sense of calm. One of the fundamental practices in yoga therapy is focusing on the breath. Movement is linked to breath as you flow through the postures in a session, which helps you stay focused on processing emotions in the present moment. Yoga therapy for stress and anxiety is a simple way to reduce tension in daily life.

     When someone is under stress, the signs are visible physically and mentally. The result may be a pounding headache, heightened breath, or tension in the shoulders. In these instances, people often to turn to medication, alcohol or drugs to numb out the negative sensations. Over time, these stress responses can create health problems, but the underlying cause isn’t addressed.

     These harmful emotions are stored in the body, and remain stagnant unless they are processed. Yoga therapy addresses both the mental and physical effects of stress and anxiety by consciously “letting go” and turning inward. It is through your body that you will learn the most about yourself.


     One of the reasons yoga therapy is so powerful is the addition of therapeutic touch and movement. Traditional talk therapy typically doesn’t involve physical contact. Alternatively, yoga therapy spends more time focusing on body sensations, teaching clients to pay attention to what is happening in their physical body, versus getting caught up in thought. 

​     T
ouch promotes trust and communication between the therapist and client. Adding to these positive feelings, yoga and meditation are known ways to increase endorphins, the “feel good” sensations in the brain. Combining these practices with talk therapy helps the client to release emotions by vocalizing them. 

     Doing yoga therapy for stress combines elements of mindful movement, meditation and talk therapy to work through emotions and issues that the client is dealing with. Connecting the mind and body allows the client to turn inward to process difficult emotions.

     Personal growth and self discovery are a result of taking the time to listen to your inner voice. As you are guided through the process of yoga therapy, you will notice increased awareness of physical and mental sensations, and learn a coping tool to help you manage stress.

     Does decreasing stress and anxiety through yoga therapy sound intriguing? Try it out!
Taking daily mini-breaks to turn inward and reconnect to your true north can help you feel grounded. When stressful emotions arise, taking five minutes to focus on the breath, meditate, or practice a few sun salutations can do wonders for your sense of well being.
 
     Even simply turning off your cell phone and computer for a few minutes and sitting in silence can be beneficial. An overactive brain needs rest in order to process emotions properly. Dealing with stress responses as they arise throughout the day will help reduce anxiety and process emotions.

Please contact me to learn more or schedule a yoga therapy session.   
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Shari Taylor, PhD
    I write about human behavior, meditation, body awareness, and a variety of other things that pique my interest. 

    Sign Up For My Monthly Newsletter

    * indicates required

    Categories

    All
    Beliefs
    Body Awareness
    Consciousness
    Creating Abundance
    Dreams
    Happiness
    How To Create New Habits
    How To Deal With Stress
    Improve Sleep
    Love & Relationships
    Meditation
    Mind Body Connection
    Mind-Body Connection
    Mindfulnes
    Neuroplasticity
    Non Ordinary States
    Non-Ordinary States
    Nutrition
    Our Personality
    Research
    Self Improvement
    Self-Improvement
    Trauma
    Yoga

    Archives

    July 2022
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    May 2021
    December 2020
    December 2018
    September 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    October 2017
    September 2017
    July 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014

    RSS Feed

Location

               What Clients Are Saying



“Working with Dr. Taylor has brought me a new dimension in body awareness. I am so much better able to deal with difficulties in life and feel more empowered. After experiencing a traumatic life event, I had lost hope, but working with Dr. Taylor helped me to see myself not as a victim, but as a survivor.”


       Miriam, New Orleans
  • Home
  • Services & Offerings
    • Helpful Tools
    • Research
    • Yoga Practice
    • Nada Yoga
    • Events
    • Yoga for Back Pain
    • Downloads >
      • Two-Week Meditation Course
  • About
    • Mind-Body Therapy
    • Shari's Book List
    • Resources
    • Of Interest
    • Media
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Psychedelic Integration & Support
  • Self-healing exercises