If you're prone to headaches, you probably know some of the triggers: Stress, lack of sleep, hunger, allergies, sinus problems or eye strain. But have you considered that your posture, and a lack of oxygen, could bring on your headaches?
Many people sit or stand with rounded shoulders and head jutted forward. Poor posture affects your respiratory system and blood circulation to the brain; which can cause muscle tension—resulting in a headache.
More: How to Prevent a Headache
If your headaches arise from tension, then you might want to consider yoga.
Yoga helps ease tension headaches by relaxing muscles in your head, back, and neck, boosting circulation to your brain and upper body, and improving your posture.
The best time to treat a headache is at the first sign of the pain, before the muscles go into spasm. To reduce the amount of headaches you experience, incorporate the following yoga poses into your daily routine.
More: Headaches 101
Simple Seated Twist
How to:
- Sit straight on the edge of a chair.
- Plant the feet firmly on the floor.
- Press the buttocks down into the chair seat.
- Cross your right leg on top of your left at the knee.
- Take your right arm to the back of the chair and your left hand to your right knee.
- Turn from the belly to the right on the exhalation.
- Keep your shoulders down and your chest open.
- Relax your eyes, jaw and tongue.
- Hold for 10 seconds breathing evenly.
- Return to center and repeat on the opposite side.
More: Pose of the Month: Straddle Forward Bend Twist
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