No More headaches

No More headaches

 by Melissa Levine

Headaches have a whole host of causes. Stress is just one of them. During a stress-related headache yoga postures and breathing can help alleviate pain and release tension and stress.

Setting is important. You want to find a calm place or even a little sanctuary in a busy place. One student just goes into the bathroom and locks the door for 10 minutes while her husband tends to the kids at night. Turning your cell phone off is also essential.

Start with some simple breathing exercises like belly breathing. Here's how. Sit or lie down. Fill your belly with as much air as you can, breathing through your nose. Make it tummy really big and full. Then, slowly exhale, also through your nose. Repeat this five times.

Then, try some simple yoga postures. Gather some blankets or pillows to use as supports.

Start with simple cobblers pose. Lie down so your head and neck are comfortable. Bring the soles of your feet together and let your knees drop out to your sides into a butterfly kind of position. Put blankets or pillows under your knees. Your arms can rest at your sides or overhead. You could also put a dark washcloth or eye pillow over your eyes. For the next few minutes, just focus on your breath. When your mind starts to wander, bring your attention back to your breath.

Next, get a chair that you can put your feet through like one from your dining room. Place a blanket or pillow on the seat. Sit in front of it with the chair over your legs. Bend forward, placing your head on the blanket or pillow. Allow the chair to support you and hold you up. Hang our here and breath for a few minutes.

Try the legs-up-the-wall pose. Find a free patch of wall. Place a blanket coming out from the wall. None needed if there's carpet. Lie down in a fetal position on your side, putting your butt right up against the wall. Then, roll onto your back straightening your legs up the wall. You can rest your hands overhead, in a "T" or at your sides. Then, just breathe. It's also helpful to cover your eyes with a dark washcloth or eye pillow.

Now, try supported child's pose. Make a low pile of blankets or pillows on the floor. Come to all fours over top of the pile. Then, bring your hips back to rest on your legs and extend your arms and chest out so you are cradled over the blankets. Relax and breathe.

Finish your yoga practice with corpse pose. Rest on the floor, flat on your back or with a pillow under your knees to support your low back. Place an eye pillow or small towel over your eyes and repeat the belly breathing.