How to Do the Wind Relieving Pose

The Wind Relieving Pose stretches the lower back, sure, but as its delicate name suggests, it has one main goal. . . meaning you might want to think twice about practicing this one in the office.

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Learn all the basic yoga poses -- downward facing dog, lotus, plank, and so on -- so you can get toned and find a little inner calmness, too.

 
 

You Will Need

  • Comfortable clothing suitable for stretching and moving
  • A calm place where you won't be distracted or disturbed
  • A yoga mat or folded blanket

Steps

  1. Step 1

    Lie on back

    Lie in a comfortable position on your back.

  2. Step 2

    Wrap arms around knee

    Exhale, bending your right knee up to your chest and wrapping your arms around your shin.

  3. For an extra stretch in your back, have a brave friend gently push your shin into your chest.

  4. Step 3

    Press into mat

    Press your back, shoulders, and the back of your neck into the mat, keeping your spine long.

  5. Step 4

    Bring forehead to knee

    Exhale, and bring your forehead toward your knee.

  6. Step 5

    Breathe deeply

    Breathe deeply for several breaths.

  7. For a more "relieving" pose, place your hands on your knee and press them into your chest on each exhale, then straighten your arms to move your knee away from your chest on each inhale.

  8. Step 6

    Release pose

    Release the pose by dropping your foot to the mat.

  9. Step 7

    Repeat pose

    Repeat the pose with the left leg, holding for the same number of breaths as you did with the right leg.

  10. Step 8

    Release pose

    Release the pose by dropping your feet to the mat. What a relief.

  11. Roman Emperor Claudius passed an edict that proclaimed 'citizens shall be allowed to pass gas whenever necessary.'

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