By Elizabeth Herman I Updated on : June 21, 2021
Struggling with regular migraines? You’ll love these 8 simple yoga poses for pain reduction and relief. Try them today.
Migraine is a neurological disorder. It causes recurring headaches ranging from moderate to high intensity. In general, it affects only one-half of the head and can last from 2 hours to more than 2 days. The migraine sufferer may become more sensitive towards light or noise. Other common symptoms include vomiting, nausea, and pain aggravation due to physical activity.
How do you treat migraines?
You may have suffered from head-splitting pain, muscle tension, and aches for years. You may have recently received a migraine diagnosis. If so, there are ways other than medication to help you overcome your pain. A few of these include arterial surgery and muscle surgery. Occipital nerve stimulation, Botox, beta-blockers, and antidepressants are other preventive methods available.
But beware. Some of these methods come with side effects. Opting for them may increase the risk of hypotension, heart attacks, insomnia, and nausea, to name a few.
So, is there a natural way to fight against migraines without hurting the body in the process?
Luckily, yes. Woohoo! We can celebrate that the answer is yoga. Below are several easy to practice yoga poses for migraines. Let's discuss them one by one.
8 yoga poses for migraines & headaches
Yoga is an ancient technique that promotes holistic living. It does so by combining postures and breathing techniques. It’s a side-effect-free method to fight migraines. Watch this video for simple yoga practices that can help you get migraine relief.
Apart from the practices shown in the video, practicing the following postures for a few minutes every day will help you deal with your next migraine attack.
Hastapadasana (Standing Forward Bend)
Setu Bandhasana (Bridge Pose)
Shishuasana (Child Pose)
Marjariasana (Cat Stretch)
Paschimottanasana (Two-legged Forward Bend)
Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog Pose)
Padmasana (Lotus Pose)
Shavasana (Corpse Pose)
Benefits of each pose (yoga asana)
Here are a few of the benefits of each of these poses. Yoga gives you an awesome source of energy and resilience. It prepares your body and mind for meeting the challenges of life. It helps you avoid painful reactions like headaches.
The standing forward bend invigorates the nervous system by increasing blood flow. It also calms pain and the mind.
The bridge pose calms the brain and reduces anxiety.
Child's pose calms down the nervous system. It is effective at reducing migraine-related pain.
Cat stretch improves blood circulation and relaxes the mind.
Two-legged forward bend calms the brain and relieves stress. This seated yoga posture also relieves headaches.
Downward facing dog pose increases blood circulation to the brain. It thus relieves tension headache.
Lotus pose relaxes the mind and alleviates headaches.
Corpse pose rejuvenates the body by bringing it into a deep state of meditative rest. You can end the yoga routine by lying down in this pose for a couple of minutes.
The unbearable pain of a migraine can hamper your personal and professional life. Explain your situation to family, friends, and colleagues. A dialogue will encourage moral and emotional support from them. It will also help them have an open-minded view of your situation.
Traditional hatha yoga is a means to make your resistance against migraines better. It shouldn't function as an alternative to medication. It’s recommended to continue your medication until your doctor advises otherwise.
Practicing these restorative yoga postures will lessen the impact of a migraine attack. It may, with time, stop them for good. So, inhale and exhale, roll out the yoga mat, repose, and exercise for some time every day. In this way, you can shut migraines out of your life.
Practicing yoga helps develop the body and mind, but it isn't a substitute for medicine. You need to learn and practice yoga under the supervision of a trained yoga teacher. In case of any medical condition, practice yoga only after you consult a doctor and a Sri Sri Yoga teacher.
Browse our entire yoga poses library, or attend our yoga course and learn more about each yoga pose in detail. If you are interested in becoming a yoga teacher, click here for more information.
While a regular yoga practice can result in improved health, know that it is not a substitute for medical treatment. It is important to learn and practice yoga under the supervision of a trained teacher. In the case of a medical condition, practice yoga after consulting a doctor.
Yoga utilizes the breath to a great extent. Conscious breathing can reduce anxiety. It prepares the body to stretch and coordinates movements with the mind and emotions.
To deepen your yoga practice, check out Beyond Breath - A FREE Breath & Meditation Online Session With a Live Instructor. You’ll learn about SKY Breath Meditation. This technique has helped millions worldwide to live life with less stress and tension.
Elizabeth Herman is a long time meditator, a trained yoga teacher, and a PhD in English, with concentrations in Rhetoric and Composition, and Literature. She offers writing support to clients, teaches locally, and volunteers for a better world.
