Strike a yoga pose

@tampatrib.com

Published: June 6, 2009

Hyperventilating is not the only way to destress: try yoga.

"Yoga is not just a practice of poses, but of your breath work," says Pete Brill, a Dallas certified yoga instructor. "The practice of slow, controlled, rhythmic breathing helps bring down blood pressure, rest the heart, clear the mind, energize the body and relax the muscles. Combine this with some relaxing yoga poses, and peace and serenity are just around the corner.

Here are some poses to help ease stress: Do each one for a deep inhale and exhale of a minute or two, or longer.

Bridge pose

Designed to calm the brain, rejuvenate tired legs and relieve spinal tension. Lie on back with feet hip-width and flat on the ground. Press down with your feet; lift your glutes, hips, pelvis and back off the ground. Keeping arms flat, with shoulders on the floor, lock fingers under your glutes. Inhale and exhale.

Standing forward bend (at right)

Stretches hamstrings and relieves tension in hips and lower back. Stand straight, feet hip-distance apart. Exhale and bend, bringing crown of head toward ground. Stretch hamstrings, but not too tight. Put right hand on left elbow; release and switch.

Seated spinal twist

Aids digestion and opens up spine to release tightness and tension. Sit comfortably cross-legged. Inhale. Bring arms overhead and press palms together. As you exhale, twist to left. Reach left hand behind back to the ground. Put right hand on outside of left knee. Use it to leverage the twist to your left, taking your gaze over left shoulder. Repeat on the right side.

Salutation seal

Reduces anxiety and stress, calms the brain and clears the mind. Sit cross-legged. Relax shoulders back and down. Draw chin slightly toward chest. Bring palms together. Take 10 deep, rhythmic inhales and exhales.

Seated forward bend

Brings energy to the body, improves digestion and helps insomnia. Sit on floor, legs extended. As you inhale, bring arms overhead. As you exhale, reach up and out, slowly folding over your legs. Hold the position, making sure shoulders and neck are relaxed. Deeply inhale and exhale a few times. Inhale, slowly rising up to sitting position.

The Dallas Morning News