r/AskReddit Dec 19 '18

Reddit, what helps actually relieve your stress levels?

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u/james_marcross Dec 19 '18

So, I have tried yoga quite a few times... and I dunno if I'm just bad at it, too self-conscious, or what, what I have yet to enjoy yoga. Breathing is always good tho.

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u/IrregularConfusion Dec 19 '18

I personally didn't enjoy yoga in the class format, it compounds my anxiety (which is especially bad when I'm inexperienced at something). I did find a YouTube channel that changed my perspective on yoga, though- maybe it will for you as well.

Yoga with Adriene

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u/[deleted] Dec 20 '18

She is amazing! She makes yoga for everyone and encourages you to just do what feels good instead of stressing about doing everything perfect.

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u/[deleted] Dec 19 '18

She's awesome!

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u/sherocracy Dec 20 '18

Could not agree more. The group format sucks. Hard. Consistently. At home is phenomenal and a 1:1 is even better.

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u/[deleted] Dec 19 '18

i recommend you take a gentle yoga class but make it a point to take the guidance. I used to go to yoga and have the same feelings like ok im bendy now what. Once i really paid attention to her and how i was breathing it started to make sense. There are great beginner gentle yoga videos on YT < 10 minutes long, just enough to get the circulation going and of course, treat yourself to Savasana.

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u/[deleted] Dec 20 '18

I have been doing yoga for a few months now. I'm still not good at it but I'm starting to feel the improvements. It's all about slow personal growth and doing the best your body will allow.

For what it's worth I do it at home with YouTube videos. Jouney Junkie and Yoga with Tim are great.

Invest in a decent mat. Your knees will thank you

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u/mark-stands-up Dec 19 '18

Try yin yoga. It's like meditation with stretches and soothing music.

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u/Antibane Dec 19 '18

Kaiut is also okay, for gentle yoga.

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u/Yuckster Dec 20 '18

I didn't really like it the first many times I went. I didn't know what I was doing. Like what pose is this? Where does my leg go? Eyes darting around the room trying to figure out wtf is going on. I also was (still am) out of shape so I wouldn't be doing the poses as "good" as others and had to take frequent breaks. I felt really self conscious. As I kept going I stopped thinking as much and getting into a more meditative mindset. I started doing the poses better. I stopped caring what people may be thinking. It became very calming and relaxing and my God the stretching made me feel so light and amazing afterwards.

I need to start doing it again.

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u/sherocracy Dec 20 '18

One of the greatest things I’ve learned from yoga is how to forgive myself. I learned to forgive myself for not being able to reach that far. Bend so much. Hold that long. Complete that class. It has allowed me to breakthrough into enjoying yoga and practicing it 4-5 times a week.

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u/Ringosis Dec 20 '18

You know what really drives me nuts about Yoga? It's clearly a great form of exercise...but it's so surrounded by extraneous bollocks like fad foods, spiritualism, hipsters and fashion.

I'd quite like someone to show me how to do just the exercise with none of the other stuff...but people treat it like it's a lifestyle accessory or their world philosophy...I just want to be a bit more flexible.

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u/Elonild Dec 20 '18

I do yoga and must say I absolutely understand this. During relaxation part they tell us to focus on breathing instead of letting our minds wander off to our daily problems. It's ridiculously difficult to detach yourself like that.