Yoga, The Relaxing Way to Treat Acne

Why is yoga good for the mind and body? The word yoga itself translates to union, which represents the alignment of a person’s mind, body, and spirit. Some benefits of yoga include: decreasing stress and anxiety, improving heart health, body flexibility and balance, as well as empowering us to take control of our lives. But one benefit we bet you probably haven't heard of is that it improves acne! 

Since Yoga is all about finding balance in the body, it's also been proven to balance your hormones. Acne is caused by an imbalance of hormones, which is affected by your sleep, diet, stress and mood–all the things that yoga improves! 

Yoga and dance instructor Kate Diaz stopped by to share some yoga poses that encourage rest in the body and mind. So roll out your yoga mat and relax with us! 

Focused Breathing:

Place one hand on the belly and one hand on the heart. Inhale, filling the space between the hands. Exhale, soften the chest away from the palms. Repeat 5-10x.

Constructive Rest

Lie on you back with your knees pointing up towards the sky and the bottoms of your feet flat on the mat slightly wider than hips distance.  Point the toes toward each other and knock the knees in on one another. Cross the arms over the top of the chest. Breathe. Stay as long as you'd like, but be sure to switch the cross of the arms halfway through.

Supine Twist

Lie on your back and bring the arms into a cactus or goalpost shape.  Drop the knees to the right and turn the gaze toward the left. As you breathe, melt the left shoulder into the mat.  Stay for 5-7 breaths. Switch sides.

Childs Pose

Start kneeling on your shins with the toes together and knees slightly apart.  Press the tops of your feet into the mat. Sit back on your heels and drape your torso between your thighs with the arms extended, palms down. Soften the forehead down onto the mat. Breathe.

Mountain Pose

Stand with your big toes touching, heels may be slightly apart.  Arms down by your sides with the palms facing front. Root down through both feet as the crown of the head floats away. Breathe.

Tree Pose

Press down through your left foot and lift your right foot off the mat.  Draw the right knee into the chest and then open the right knee out to the side.  Seal the right foot onto the inside of the left leg, above the knee. If you want, you can also rest it on the ankle or ground!

Bring the palms to touch at heart center and offer a gentle press in.  Expand wide through the elbows and collar bones as you find the same rooting and rising of mountain pose.  Breathe. Switch sides.

Beyond physical health, yoga cultivates self-growth and awareness. Keep practicing and you’ll arrive at a place where you can connect deeper with yourself. 

Are you excited to try yoga? Let us know which was your favorite pose below!