Yoga for Grief

I wanted to share something with you all. It may be something that you have experienced in your own life or may in the future. It is the experience of losing a close friend or family member.

My yoga community recently lost a very dear friend, brother, colleague, and teacher. It has been devastating and heart wrenching to lose someone so unexpectedly. It feels like your heart is torn in two.

Grief is a natural set of emotions that accompany such loses. It has many stages, some of which are hard to feel and comprehend. In order to help my own grief, I’ve been more mindful about my yoga practice. It has been slower, calmer, more tender, and restorative.

Here is a little bit of what I’ve been doing. Maybe this can help you manage grief, too.

Start by finding a quiet, comfortable space where you can practice undisturbed. Sit in a comfortable seated position, such as cross-legged on a mat or in a chair.

Take a few deep breaths and close your eyes. Bring your attention to your breath and notice the sensation of the air moving in and out of your body.

Begin by practicing a few rounds of “Ujjayi” breathing. This is a type of deep, diaphragmatic breath that can help to calm the mind and release tension in the body. To practice Ujjayi breath, inhale and exhale through your nose, slightly constricting the back of your throat to create a soft, ocean-like sound.

Next, move into a gentle, restorative practice. Start by lying on your back and placing a bolster or rolled blanket under your knees to release tension in the lower back. Bring your right hand to your heart and your left hand to your stomach, and take a few deep, slow breaths. Take as much time as you need in this position.

From there, practice a series of gentle twists and forward folds, such as “Spinal Twist,” “Child’s Pose,” and “Seated Forward Bend,” to release tension in the spine and help release any held emotions.

Close your practice with a seated meditation, focusing on the breath and allowing yourself to release any thoughts or emotions that may come up.

End your practice by lying in Savasana for a few minutes and take a deep inhale and exhale before you sit up and end your practice.

Remember that grief can take time to process, and it’s okay to take it one day at a time. If you are struggling with your loss, reach out to supportive friends and family. Consulting a therapist or counselor can also be helpful. Grief can be an overwhelming set of emotions to manage. But you don’t have to go through this alone.