Stress management: Practicing yoga to relax

Introduction

Yoga means different things to different people. This Actionset focuses on a kind of yoga called Hatha yoga. One of the benefits of Hatha yoga is that it can relieve stress and help you relax.

Key points

• Yoga includes breathing, meditation, and exercises, called postures or poses, that stretch the body. You can do yoga to help you relax.
• The goals of yoga include improved physical and mental health, as well as “oneness" with a higher being, the self, or some form of higher awareness.

 What is yoga?
 Why try yoga for relaxation?
 How do you do yoga to relax?
 Where to go from here

If you want to try other relaxation techniques, see:

Stress management: Breathing exercises for relaxation.

Stress management: Doing guided imagery for relaxation.

Stress management: Learning to meditate.

Stress management: Relaxing your mind and body.

Stress management: Doing progressive muscle relaxation.

Return to topic:

• Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder
• Positive Thinking With Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
• Social Anxiety Disorder
• Stress Management

Author:	Merrill Hayden	Last Updated: July 14, 2008
Medical Review:	Catherine D. Serio, PhD - Behavioral Health David A. Fleckenstein, MPT - Physical Therapy
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