Doing Yoga Asanas Regularly Could Be Very Beneficial During Migraine, 5 Simple Yoga Asanas To Reduce Migraine Attacks
Migraine is a common condition in which a person experiences recurring attacks of intense headaches along with nausea. Many people do not report headaches to doctors because they believe they can handle it on their own, however, this lack of understanding and treatment can lead to chronic migraine if not taken care of.
While medication may provide some relief, yoga experts suggest addressing the root cause for more effective treatment. Sarvesh Shashi, a yoga practitioner from Sarva Yoga, suggests practicing these five simple yoga poses to manage and reduce the intensity of migraine attacks.
Shashankasana (Hare Pose)
● Sit in Vajrasana with your palms resting on your thighs, eyes closed and body relaxed.
● Inhale and raise your arms above your head, keeping your elbows straight.
● Exhale and slowly bend forward from the pelvic region, keeping your arms slightly bent and resting your hands, forehead, and elbows on the mat in front of your knees.
● Hold the position for as long as comfortable, then exhale and slowly lift your forehead and arms back to the starting position.
● Lower your arms and rest your palms on your thighs. Take deep breaths and relax.
Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward Bend)
● Sit with your legs open straight.
● Inhale and raise both arms straight above your head, stretching up.
● Exhale and bend forward, keeping your spine erect.
● Put your hands on your legs, wherever they can reach, and if possible, hold onto your toes and pull them towards you to help you lean forward.
● Hold the pose as long as you can.
Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog Pose)
● Kneel on the floor.
● Incline forward and place your hands on the floor under your shoulders.
● Press your hands to the ground, curl your toes and exhale as you gently lift your hips, taking your knees away from the floor.
● Straighten your elbow and knees, with your heels touching the floor.
● To return, lift your head, bend your knees and gently sit on the floor/mat.
Janu Sirsasana (Head to Knee Pose)
● Sit straight and keep your legs stretched out.
● Bend your left knee and place the sole of your left foot on the inside of your right leg’s inner thigh, keeping your left knee on the floor.
● Inhale and slowly bend forward, sliding your hands towards your right foot.
● Try to touch your right foot with your hands, or keep your hands as close to your foot as comfortable.
● Move your head in the direction of your right leg and if you can, touch your knee with your forehead. Hold this pose for sometime.
Cow-Cat Pose
Stand on all fours.
● For Cat Pose : Round your spine toward the ceiling, drop your head and tailbone, and draw in your lower belly.
● For Cow Pose: Curl your toes under, tilt your pelvis area so that your tailbone sticks up, drop down your belly and look at the ceiling.