Yoga for your nervous system: 3 relaxing yoga exercises

Yoga: Your Key to Stress Relief

Regular yoga can lower blood pressure, regulate heart rate, relax muscles and calm the mind. Most importantly, it helps the autonomic nervous system to regain balance and regulate itself. The combination of physical exercises, breathing techniques and meditation helps to reduce stress and achieve a holistic state of calm.

Functions of the nervous system:

The human body's nervous system is responsible for important functions such as breathing, circulation, sleep, digestion and metabolism. It also controls our environmental responses and emotions and helps us perceive and respond to our surroundings.

To support the nervous system, exercise, yoga, meditation and regular relaxation exercises are particularly effective.

The nervous system is divided into two main areas:

• central nervous system
• peripheral nervous system

The central nervous system (CNS), consisting of the brain and spinal cord, regulates our thoughts, feelings, and memories. The peripheral nervous system (PNS) includes all the other nerves in the body that transmit signals between the CNS and the rest of the body.

An important part of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) is the autonomic nervous system, which controls our internal organs and regulates things like heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, and digestion. It consists of two parts that work together:

• Sympathetic nervous system: The sympathetic nervous system helps the body to react quickly in stressful or dangerous situations by providing the necessary energy (fight or flight). This is often noticeable in the form of a faster heart rate, shallower breathing and tense muscles.
• Parasympathetic nervous system: The parasympathetic nervous system helps the body relax after stressful moments. It supports rest, recovery and regeneration, including digestion and cell repair.

A balanced interaction between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems is important for our health and well-being. Yoga can help calm the nervous system by activating the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps us to cope better with stress and avoid burnout.

Yoga exercises that you can easily integrate into your everyday life:

• Mindful movements and yoga: Hatha yoga or gentle yin yoga help to reduce stress and regulate the nervous system.
• Moving cat-cow: Mobilizes the spine and relieves back tension.
• The Camel: Opens the chest and promotes deeper breathing.
• The Fish: Relaxes shoulders and neck.
• Gentle forward bends: Stretches the back of the body and relieves tension.

Use yoga as your key to inner peace and find an effective way to reduce stress and increase your well-being.