Headaches can be caused by many reasons, such as work, a stressful life leading to fatigue and dizziness, tension in the neck bones, and pain in the shoulder or back muscles. Practicing yoga not only helps practitioners maintain a slim and toned figure and increase resistance, but it also improves mood and significantly reduces health and neurological problems. Below are 8 yoga poses to help relieve annoying headaches that YourBeauty&Health would like to suggest to you.
- Standing Forward, Bending Pose
Benefit:
Forward-bending yoga poses help stimulate the nervous system, increase blood circulation to the brain, fight insomnia, reduce stress, and effectively relieve headaches.
Proceed as follows:
First, stand with your legs wide open, then bend down and hug your body.
This pose requires you to relax your head and neck, and you can also change your arm movements to feel more comfortable. Try to keep your body still for one minute.
Standing Forward Bend Pose (Source: Internet)
- Wide-Legged Standing Forward Bend Pose
Benefit:
This yoga pose helps improve blood circulation, relieve headaches quickly, and relax the shoulders, neck, and back.
Proceed as follows:
Start with the mountain pose. Place your hands on your thighs.
The legs are separated by twice the width of the shoulders so that the feet are aligned and parallel to each other, toes pointing straight ahead.
Inhale and exhale while bending forward from your thighs, keeping your heels on the floor and your back straight.
Place your hands on the floor, about shoulder-width apart. Two arms straight, fingers spread wide, pointing straight ahead.
Point the top of your head toward the floor and tilt your sciatic bones toward the ceiling to stretch your spine.
Inhale and exhale while bending your elbows and bringing your chest toward the distance between your thighs.
Head and neck hanging down to the floor; feel the spine stretching; imagine the back calves of both legs and inner thigh muscles stretching with each breath.
Hold the position for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
Wide-Legged Standing Forward Bend Pose (Source: Internet)
- Seated forward bend pose
Benefit:
This yoga pose not only helps stretch and relax the back but also soothes headaches and anxiety and reduces body fatigue.
Proceed as follows:
Sit with your back straight and your legs straight. Two feet are placed next to each other.
Exhale and slowly bend down until your head touches the knee. Keep your knees straight, pressed close to the floor. Grab your ankles with both hands or cross your hands around your feet to make it easier to bend.
Hold still in the position for 10 to 20 seconds. Inhale, lift your head and body, relax your hands and whole body, and return to the starting position.
Seated forward bend pose (Source: Internet)
- Bridge Pose
Benefit:
The bridge yoga pose helps gently stretch the back and legs while reducing stress. It reduces feelings of anxiety and headaches and is even one of the most effective therapies to reduce high blood pressure.
Proceed as follows:
Start by lying on your back. You can fold a scarf and place it under your shoulders to protect your neck. Bend your knees and place your feet on the floor so that your feet are as close to your buttocks as possible.
Exhale and lift your hips off the ground. The knees and feet form a straight line perpendicular to the floor. Tighten your elbows. Hold your arms straight up on either side of your waist.
Breathe regularly in this position. Hold for a moment. Inhale as you lower.
Bridge Pose (Source: Internet)
5. Legs-Up the Wall Pose
Benefit:
This yoga pose helps practitioners relax their minds, relieve fatigue, and significantly reduce the symptoms of tension headaches.
Proceed as follows:
Lie on a bed or on an exercise mat close to the wall. Try to keep your buttocks as close to the flat surface of the wall as possible, pointing your head outward.
Put your feet up on the wall and adjust your posture so that your feet are firmly pressed against the wall and perpendicular to the ground.
Place your arms along your body or place your hands on your stomach.
Close your eyes and focus on breathing slowly. Do this for about 5–10 minutes, as many times a day as possible.
You can place a pillow or towel under your buttocks to help you perform the pose more accurately.
Legs-Up the Wall Pose (Source: Internet)
6. Headstand Yoga Pose
Benefit:
This yoga movement helps strengthen the back and abdominal muscles, effectively reducing back pain. In addition, this yoga pose also has the effect of reducing stress, reducing headaches, promoting blood circulation, and effectively preventing aging.
Proceed as follows:
First, you kneel and put your elbows on the floor. Hands parallel, elbows shoulder-width apart.
Rest the top of your head on the floor. Pay attention to keeping your hands firmly behind your head; don’t bring your hands down past the nape of your neck. Slowly raise your legs. At this time, the knees are facing the ceiling, and the heels are close to the buttocks.
Note that to protect the spine, you should lift each leg one at a time, hold each leg for 1-2 breaths, and then switch legs. Repeat this movement 2-3 times.
Headstand Yoga Pose (Source: Internet)
7. Head-resting position, hands holding
Benefit:
This is a great forward bend if your headaches are caused by shoulder tension.
Proceed as follows:
Sit on the mat so that your legs are parallel to the floor, hip-width apart.
Cross your palms together, behind your body, and lean forward, creating a variation of a child’s pose.
Hold if you feel comfortable, or raise your hips so you rest on the top of your head.
Lower your arms as low as possible to feel your chest, shoulders, and back of your neck stretch. Hold for 5 breaths or more.
Head-resting position, hands holding (Source: Internet)
- Corpse Yoga Pose
Benefit:
Although this yoga pose is simple, it will help us relax the whole body, soothe the mind, and relieve internal frustrations. At the same time, it restores energy and gives the practitioner a refreshing feeling.
Proceed as follows:
Lie comfortably on the mat, legs spread shoulder-width apart, arms parallel to the body.
Close your eyes, rest, and focus on breathing evenly.
Let your mind and body take a break from fatigue and stress, calm down, and restore energy.
To get out of the pose, slowly shake your fingers and toes and do a few stretching movements of your arms and legs.
Then turn your body to the side and gently push yourself to sit up.
Corpse Yoga Pose (Source: Internet)
To limit headaches, in addition to practicing yoga regularly, we should combine it with a scientific lifestyle and diet to improve the nervous system and maintain body health. Supplement nutrients that are good for the brain; limit the use of computers, phones, or other electronic devices when possible; get enough sleep; and think optimistically and comfortably.