Put your feet up…..
How many times have you heard or been told to put your feet up and rest when you’re feeling stressed and run down. Well there might be a lot of sense in this common saying. Viparita Karani or ‘Legs up the Wall’ pose is commonly used during restorative Yoga classes to help relax the body and calm the mind and here’s why….
Having your legs elevated allows gravity to assist with blood flow from the legs to the vital organs. This means your heart has to work less at pumping blood from the extremities, so the heart rate lowers and the body is placed in a more relaxed state. It can also help prevent adrenal fatigue (a common side affect of stress) because when the heart rate is lowered the central nervous system is calm, meaning the fight or flight response that normally occurs when dealing with stressful situations is no longer required.
How to do?
Begin by lying on a folded blanket or bolster that is already set against the wall.
Sit sideways on your prop with the knees bent, one shoulder and hip level with the wall, gently inhale and as you exhale swing your legs up against the wall.
Straighten your legs against the wall for a hamstring stretch and rest your hands by your sides with the palms facing up. You can rest your head on a pillow if you’d like some additional support for the neck. Lie here breathing consciously for 10–20 minutes. You could also use an eye pillow scented with lavender or you favourite relaxing essential, and why not try repeating the mantra that I use during class…nowhere to go nothing to do.
Enjoy!
