5 Easy Yoga Poses for Stress Relief

Yoga poses, or asanas, have an extraordinary capacity to unravel the tightly woven threads of stress and offer solace to us brave but tired souls caught in the whirlwind of business ownership. When the stakes are high (and they often are!), yoga can be an oasis of tranquility and respite. Yoga’s fusion of physical postures, rhythmic breathing, and mindful awareness creates powerful stress relief.

The beauty of yoga lies not only in its reverence for the body and breath but also in its unwavering commitment to the present moment. In a world consumed by multitasking and perpetual planning, yoga bestows a precious gift: mindful awareness. This awareness can give you the wisdom to navigate challenges and the clarity to make sound decisions. Within the sacred space of the practice, the demands of entrepreneurship dissipate, replaced by a gentle invitation to tend to your own needs.

5 Best Yoga Poses to Try

Don’t let the “easy” factor of these poses fool you. The truth is, you don’t need to twist yourself up like a pretzel to reap the benefits of yoga. These simple poses work even if you aren’t flexible or you’re brand new to yoga.

Like any exercise, yoga is not without risk, so be cautious if you have any health conditions or injuries. And don’t forget the golden rule of yoga: if a pose doesn’t feel good, don’t do it.

#1: Mountain Pose

Don’t let the simplicity of this pose fool you. When done correctly, mountain pose can improve your posture and tone your belly. Winning!

Stand up as tall as you can with your feet together. Hold your arms slightly away from your body with your palms facing forward. Roll your shoulders back – no hunching allowed! Engage your core, arms, and thighs until you feel like a badass. Try holding the pose for a few minutes before letting go.

The great thing about mountain pose is that you can do it anywhere, even without a yoga mat. It’s a great pick-me-up when your energy is low, or you need to clear your head.

#2: Extended Child’s Pose

If you need to tune out the world (or just the sound of your kids fighting), this stress-relieving pose will do it. Pro tip: since your forehead will end up on the floor, choose your space wisely. There’s nothing like a Cheeto crumb to the eye to kill the vibe.

Start by kneeling on the floor (or mat) with the tops of your feet laying flat. Keep your big toes together, but bring your knees a little further than hip-width apart. Keeping your butt on your heels, reach forward as far as you can and rest your forehead on the ground. After you’ve held the pose for a minute or so, try creeping your fingers forward a bit more for a deeper stretch.

#3: Legs-Up-The-Wall Pose

The key to this pose is staying in it for 5-20 minutes, so make sure you have enough time before you start. Haha, I know.

You’ll want to grab two blankets. Fold one up and put it 8-12 inches from the wall. The other blanket will go under your head once you’re settled into the pose.

The easiest way to get into this pose is to start by lying on your side and then swing your legs up the wall as you roll onto your back. The folded-up blanket should be under your sacrum (the spot where your lower back meets your pelvis), and your legs should be touching the wall from your butt to your heels.

Elevating your legs like this is great for circulation, and this pose can also help boost energy and alleviate lower back pain.

#4: Easy Pose

Criss-cross applesauce! The way we all used to sit in school when we were young turns out to be a really popular yoga pose. I’ve taken hundreds (if not thousands) of yoga classes over the years, and I’ve yet to find one that doesn’t include this pose at least once.

The key to getting the benefits of this pose is sitting up straight and tall. It can be surprisingly difficult to hold this pose correctly for more than a minute or two, especially if you spend a lot of your time sitting on the couch (I’m guilty of this one). If you have a blanket or towel handy, fold it up and sit on it, because raising your pelvis makes this pose easier.

When we sit cross-legged, we tend to pull our heels in, but don’t do that. Your thighs and shins should form a triangle instead so that you can see the floor or mat in the space between them. Roll your shoulders back and rest your hands on your knees.

This pose is perfect for strengthening your back and calming your brain.

#5: Corpse Pose

Corpse pose tends to happen at the end of every yoga session. Unlike every other yoga posture, this one requires total relaxation.

My best advice for nailing this pose is to take mindful breaths, close your eyes, and focus on nothing. The tendency to tense up our muscles—at least a little bit—can be hard to overcome. Start at your head and work your way down to your toes, focusing on each body part one at a time, making sure you are completely relaxing your muscles.

Stay in corpse pose for at least a few minutes to get the full benefits, which include reducing blood pressure, calming the body, and reducing stress.

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