How Yoga Can Help Relieve Grief Symptoms
Yoga has been around for more than 5,000 years and started in India. The word yoga means union or yoke bringing the mind, body and breath together as one. Maybe you are thinking that yoga is crazy poses shown on Instagram and Facebook but that’s not what it’s all about. Although the yoga of today in the West focuses more on the physical practice, the elements of meditation and breathing are just as important.
Dr. Timothy McCall, a physician, author and yoga therapist compiled a list of 117 conditions helped by yoga, many of which are related to grief (anxiety, depression, PTSD, and stress). When I started going to yoga classes after my son died, I noticed right away that by practicing various breathing techniques in the class or at home, I felt less anxious and more physically relaxed.
In her book, Yoga for Grief and Loss, Karla Helbert notes, “Grief impacts every aspect of our being. It affects us physically, mentally, cognitively, emotionally, spiritually and philosophically, in every aspect of body, mind and spirit. The practice of yoga addresses, self-care, helps to integrate the experience of loss, and supports feelings of connection and relationship with loved ones who have died.” The more I was able to fully breathe I was able to also relax and let go my emotions. Yoga helped me move my grief, like the cloud near my heart that slowly shrank as I continued my practice.
What Type of Yoga Works Best?
There are many styles of yoga today like Hatha, Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Restorative, Laughing Yoga and Yin, and all incorporate various aspects of meditation, physical movement and breath work. There is no “one size fits all” and you may be drawn to a more rigorous physical practice or maybe meditation is best for you at this time during your grief journey. My practice evolved over time. I liked the physical movements and poses because that got me out of my head and focused on breathing with each movement. Gradually I came to crave the meditative aspects which helped me go deeper into my soul.
If you are early in your grief, you may see benefits from simple breathing techniques. Try box breath, a seemingly simple yet powerful technique to reduce stress and anxiety. Box breath is a counting breath where you inhale to a count of, say 4, hold the breath for a count of 4, exhale to a count of 4 and hold again for a count of 4.
My 5 Weeks to Grief Relief - On-line Yoga Retreat signature program will start again in November 2023. Join the waitlist and be the first to get notified.