And no headache: 3 yoga exercises to fight migraines

Headaches can mar even the most pleasant day and knock you out of your rut. The first step to get rid of terrible sensations is to identify their cause, because in many cases, the problem can be eliminated without medication. Sometimes physical activity is all you need to forget about the discomfort.

These four exercises from yoga can help in the fight against headaches.

Head tilts

This exercise will help release clamps in the cervical spine and relax the neck muscles – it is problems with this area that often cause severe headaches.

Performed from a standing or sitting position. Place your right hand on the top of your head and gently pull your head to the right. Stay in the extreme position for 15-20 seconds, then return to the starting position, and then repeat in the other direction. If there is no discomfort, you can do 5 tilts to the right and left each.

Happy baby pose

The happy child’s pose has a beneficial effect on the back, relieves tension and eliminates clamps – often they can cause headaches.

Lie on your back. As you exhale, bend your knees and pull them up to your chest, keeping your lower back on the floor. Make sure your neck is relaxed. Inhale, and as you exhale, put your hands around your feet. Separate your knees slightly and gently pull them towards your armpits. The shins should be perpendicular to the floor. Rest your feet on your hands, creating resistance. Hold in this position for 30 seconds. Breathe calmly and pull your shoulders down. As you exhale, relax, remove your hands from your feet and straighten your legs.

If you can’t get your hands around the feet at first, you can use a belt or a special exercise band.

Camel pose

This exercise is good for relaxing the spine and shoulders. If your headache is caused by tension in these areas, it will surely make you feel better.

Kneel on your knees with your knees hip-width apart. Point the backs of your feet upwards. Slowly arch your back without bending your hips – they should be at right angles to your shins. Place the palms of your hands on your heels and, pushing away from them, open your chest. The shoulders should be turned to the outside and the shoulder blades to the inside. Extend your neck and slowly lower your head. Stay in this position for 30 seconds, then raise your head, remove your hands from your heels and gently straighten your back, returning to the starting position.

When performing the exercise it is important to keep calm breathing and try not to strain the abdomen. If at the initial stage you find it difficult to lower your hands to the heels, then put a roller or a special block under the feet.

In what cases yoga helps with headaches

Like any physical activity, yoga exercises have contraindications. They are not recommended for pregnant women, people with high blood pressure, back and neck injuries, hernias.

In addition, these exercises will only be effective if the ailment is caused by accumulated fatigue or excessive tension in the neck, shoulders and spine. While these are common causes of headaches, they are far from the only ones.

If severe discomfort occurs, you should consult a doctor.

And useful and simple yoga exercises should be performed to prevent health problems, including headaches.