Yoga for Migraine Pain Relief?
With reoccurring migraine pain, it helps if you can find ways to let go of the stress we all hold onto within our body and minds.
As someone who suffers from migraines, I have tried many ways to let go of my daily tension, stress over deadlines and that inner feeling of deep fatigue. After trying just about anything suggested to me (I was desperate), I discovered that yoga is probably the most helpful when it comes to preventing and lessening my migraine pain.
There was a period of time I was getting migraines two to three times per month. I think the second attack was most often a rebound migraine, which occurred because I was not completely recovered from the first attack while diving head-first back into work and stress and, well, life.
I discovered that I can not only lessen the effect a migraine has me, but I can fend off a second or third attack that may follow by simply taking the time for a yoga class or two each week.
Which Type of Yoga is Best?
There are so many types of yoga out there now that it may seem daunting trying to choose which one is best for helping fend off your next migraine.
Each type has its own blend of breathing, poses, meditation, chanting, relaxation, and even philosophy. But I have found that restorative yoga, a practice that focuses on a more healing and recuperative experience, brings with it so many wonderful benefits for those of us with migraine or other types of chronic pain, it is an ideal place to start.
What is Restorative Yoga?
With a restorative yoga practice, the yogi typically relies on the use of props and the prolonged holding of a few simple poses to achieve a deep level of relaxation. It is gentle and even the novice can do it.
This relaxation is good for the body, mind and soul. The use of props in this type of yoga makes it easier to maintain balance while you are in poses and allows you to relax during them, basically because you are not fighting to stay balanced on your own. The props are often just large foam bricks, blankets or special shaped pillows that are placed where the body needs extra support during poses.
