Side Bending Pose

1. Stand with feet parallel and hip-width apart. Reach arms overhead. Ground body strongly with both heels.

2. Hold right wrist with left hand. Exhale and bend to left side, stretching both sides of torso. Inhale and return to standing position. Repeat for 30 seconds.

3. Hold left wrist with right hand. Exhale and bend to right side. Inhale and return to standing position. Repeat for 30 seconds.

4. Repeat Steps 2 and 3.

Downward Facing Dog

1. Come to all fours with hips directly over knees and shoulders directly over hands.

2. Turn toes under and lift knees off ground.

3. With legs slightly bent, push hands firmly into ground and move hips toward wall behind you. Feel the extension from your index finger to your sitting bones. Without compromising this extension, straighten legs as much as possible.

4. Hold posture for 1 to 2 minutes, noticing your breath and making micro-movements to find ease and alignment.

Cobblers Pose

1. Sit on ground with soles of feet together and knees dropped open to opposite sides. (Do not push knees down, but instead feel the release deep inside hip sockets.)

2. Place hands beside hips and extend side seams of waist, lifting chest and creating ease in lower back.

3. Hold ankles and bend slightly forward, keeping a feeling of length in front body while breathing easy and complete.

4. Hold posture for 1 to 2 minutes with a sense of discovery and play.

Rodney Yee’s latest DVD is A.M. & P.M. Yoga for Beginners with Colleen Saidman. (Gaiam) Buy it from Amazon.

5-Minute Fitness: Yoga Stretches The Saturday Evening Post

1. Pinpoint the cause—Keep a stress journal. Write down the times you’ve been stressed and the associated emotion. Take note of these triggers and make a point to eliminate them from your life. Click here to assess your stress online.
2. Control what you can—Turn off the news when it is overwhelming and stop answering emails after dinner-time. Prioritize your to-do list and eliminate the items that belong on someone else’s plate.
3. Learn to say “NO”—Whether in your personal or professional life, taking on too much is a sure way to raise stress. Set your limits and stick to them.
4. Build healthy habits—Exercise several times a week, eat well, and get the sleep that you need.

Dr. Gardere also suggests Philip Stein wristwatches featuring Natural Frequency Technology (a combination of low frequency waves like those generated by the earth) to improve sleep and reduce stress. The timepieces aren’t cheap—$400 and up—and scientific proof is still inconclusive, but who knows? For some, a good night’s sleep just might be worth the investment.

If you wear one of these watches, post your experience here.

Stress Relief The Saturday Evening Post