Our Weekly Tip: Move Through Grief with Yoga

Credit: yogaforgriefrelief.com

Our Tip of the Week: It is commonplace for therapists to suggest light physical exercise to help people in grief stay physically and emotionally healthy as they go through this intense phase of transition. A recent proliferation of publications by authors who hold yogic training in addition to a background in fields such as counseling and somatic psychology are easily available for those who are interested in using the holistic practices of yoga to find wholeness in their lives after loss. These books are a good introduction to the physical and emotional benefits of yoga in stressful times; finding an experienced teacher to practice with can be greatly beneficial in this journey. This practice is also useful or those who are grieving the losses of their own lives as they actively die. Holistic medicine practices are now becoming embraced by hospitals too as a way to help with the depression and anxiety that often comes with dying.

Credit: fitnessatbodymoves.com

How-to Suggestion: Though yoga has helped many people throughout the ages deal with loss, yoga teachers specifically offering a practice for grief are still rather uncommon. A quick online search for “grief yoga,” accompanied by your geographical location, should inform you of the options in your area. No matter what the result, any class named “Gentle Hatha,” “Yin,” or “Restorative” yoga will generally provide a safe and sacred space for you to relax and release. Also you may want to read our SevenPonds past review of the book Yoga for Grief Relief or read an interview with the author himself, Antonio Sausys, about his specific practice of yoga to helping people travel through their grief journeys here.