YOGA FOR MIGRAINE - III

YOGA FOR MIGRAINE – III

 

The exercises I am giving you today seem simple. But those who suffer from migraines should not underestimate their effect. All nerves connecting different parts of the body have to go through the neck to reach the brain. These simple exercises will tone those vital nerves, loosen the cervical vertebrae, neck and shoulders, improve blood flow to the brain and help reduce tension and calm the mind. You can also do these at your desk while working.

 

Caution: Keep the shoulders and leg muscles loose. Move the head very gently, as directed, but only as far as it is comfortable. Do not strain. These exercises should not be done by those with very high or very low blood pressure or with extreme cervical spondylosis. Those with mild to moderate cervical spondylosis should avoid bending the neck forward.

 

STEP 1

Ü      Sit with your legs stretched out and back straight

Ü      Bend one leg; place your ankle on the opposite thigh close to the groin. Bend the other leg and place the ankle on the thigh of the bent leg, close to the groin.

Ü      Place your hands on your knees.

 

EXERCISE 1   

Ü      Close your eyes, keep your body straight. Slowly drop your head towards your left shoulder — don't turn the head or lift the shoulders    

Ü      Raise the head and drop it towards the right shoulder as above

 

EXERCISE 2   

Ü      Slowly move the head as far back as comfortable. Do not strain   

Ü      Slowly bring your head up and move it forward so that the chin touches the chest.

 

EXERCISE 3   

Ü      Gently turn the head to the left so that the chin is in line with the shoulders    

Ü      Now gently turn the head to the right as far as it is comfortable.

 

STEP 2    

Ü      Slowly rotate the head clockwise down to the chest, then to the right, then backward, to the left side in a relaxed, smooth, rhythmic, circular movement

Now gently rotate it anti-clockwise, that is, in the opposite direction.