How yoga can help you feel alive again.

More and more people are feeling numb, they don’t feel happy, or sad. They feel lazy or burned out and don’t know why or what to do about it. And that is totally okay! There are a lot of reasons why someone could feel that way, but the changes I’ve seen in my clients after doing this practice is amazing.

When someone feels numb, a lot of the times it is because their nervous system has been overactive for too long and has gone into a freeze mode. The stress and pressure is too high, they scroll all day on different apps, or they are simply overly stimulated by this big world. And again this is all totally normal, our nervous system is not meant to deal with this amount of stimulant. And so a reaction of going numb, or not feeling things as much, is okay. But we get that you want to feel alive again! After all, that is what we are here for, to live life and to enjoy it all. So how do we feel alive again? And what role does yoga play in all of this?

When our nervous system has been overactive, and becomes numb, it is because of protection. Protection and safety. In order to feel safe, your body decided to dim down on the emotions so that everything that became to much, stopped overwhelming you. So how do we reverse the card that keeps us safe, but numb?  We create safety in our body, slow gentle movement, in constant communication with your body.

Yoga is a practice where we feel into our body. We feel what this posture is doing to us, and how it our bodies feel afterwards. We move with our breath, and breathe a little deeper. And if this practice scares you, or seems too spiritual for you, maybe you should look into why a simple practice as this is giving you that reaction.

Now if you do want to take on the challenge, and connect back to your body, then let’s get started. These yoga postures take time, just as every practice takes time. But it took you time to get into the numbness, so you have the time to get yourself out of it. It just requires some more self love, and patience.

For the following practice you want to grab a journal, 1 or 2 pillows and a yoga mat or a big blanket. Fold your blanket into the shape of a yoga mat, or roll out your yoga mat.

To start

Let’s start this practice with your journal.

Bring your awareness to your heart, do you feel anything there?

On a scale of 1 to 10, how intense is the sensation you feel in your chest?

What is your intention for today’s practice?

Mine is loving awareness to myself.

Banana Asana

The first posture we are going to start with is: Banana Asana.

  • Lie down on your back, and stretch your arms over your head.
  • Bring your feet slightly to the right, and bring your hands to the right.
  • Try to bring yourself into a lying down banana shape.
  • Try to keep both your shoulder placed on the floor, as well as your head.
  • Close your eyes.
  • Stay in this position for 4 minutes.
  • After the 4 minutes, come back to the center, and bring both your arms and legs to the left side.
  • Stay there for another 4 minutes.

When you start feeling needle like pinches in your arms or legs come out of the position and bring your arms next to your body for a while.

When you feel sharp pain in your back, skip this practice for today.

Try to give 75% in this practice, don’t push yourself, but lay back and relax.

Puppy Pose

The second posture we are going through is: Puppy Pose.

  • Come into a table top position where you place both your knees and hands on the floor.
  • You may want to place a pillow underneath your knees for this practice.
  • Walk your hands forward, and bring your chest towards the ground.
  • If your chest cannot reach the floor, place your pillows underneath your chest.
  • Really use as much pillows or blankets as you need, and again give your 75% here.
  • We are going to stay here for 4 minutes.
  • This posture is intense, and does not always feel relaxing, but it is very beneficial.
  • So try to breath through the discomfort here.
  • Close your eyes, and breathe.

If you feel a sharp pain in your back, please come out of this posture.

If this posture is to intense, start this practice with a low table where you place both your elbows on the table and lower down from there.

Half happy baby pose

The third posture we are going to do is: Half Happy Baby Pose.

  • Come down onto your back, and stretch your left leg on the mat.
  • Bend your right leg and place your right foot onto 2 pillows, if this stretch is enough than stay there and relax.
  • If you can go further, try to grab onto your right foot and bend your knee towards your right armpit.
  • Close your eyes, and breath.
  • We will stay here for 4 minutes.
  • After the 4 minutes repeat this practice with the left side.

Again, try to give your 75% here and do not push yourself too far.

The key is to feel safe and relaxed in this posture.

If you feel any sharp pain in your back or hip area, than come out of this posture.

If the posture feels uncomfortable, you are doing it right.

Savasana

  • Lie down on your back, stretch your arms next to your body with your palms facing upwards.
  • Place your head gently on the mat and close your eyes.
  • Or if it feels comfortable to you, focus your eyes on a point above you that does not move.
  • Let’s stay here for 4 minutes.
  • To get out of this pose, first cross your arms over your chest and hold yourself.
  • Thank yourself for taking this step for yourself towards a happier life ( you deserve it ).
  • Than slowly turn to your right side, and push yourself up with your left hand into a seated position.

Reflection

Lets grab your journal again,

Bring your awareness back to your heart.

How does your heart feel?

On a scale of 1 to 10, how much do you feel there?

If the scale did not go up, that is completely okay, it is better to stay honest to yourself, we will get there in time.

Repeat these simple postures 3-4 times a week, and see your life transform. Again, repetition is the key here, nothing can reverse your overstimulated nervous system in one day, and you deserve a deeply felt life.

If this practice helped you, please share this blog with friends or family so we can help more people become healthier versions of themselves.