Yoga Poses for Anger

In working with various clients, I’ve been learning more and more about how yoga can help us release emotions, including anger.  Naturally, as I’m learning about the effects of different poses, I share those in my other classes; mentioning that this or that pose is helpful for anger.  The responses from classes have been interesting.  I’ve heard giggles and seen smiles and looks of surprise and awkwardness.

Anger isn’t a very popular emotion.  We don’t usually talk about anger. Maybe it’s just with women.  It’s acceptable to talk about feeling anxious, nervous, even sad at times…but angry? Nope.  But, that’s ok. Maybe we’re not ready to talk about it…but here are a few poses that might be helpful…and an interesting article that I found to be insightful.

Yoga poses, breathing and meditations can help us acknowledge feelings of anger and begin to let them go vs. stuffing them down inside or lashing out at those around us.  Try these and let me know what you think…

Hare/Rabbit Pose:  From child’s pose, bring your arms down and along the sides of your body, palms up.  Gently lift your hips, leaving your arms and legs where they are, so that the crown of your head is in contact with the floor. It shouldn’t feel like a headstand – you want to keep your weight in the body with slight pressure on your head.  Hold for 3 breaths and rest back to child’s pose.

Child’s Pose

Rabbit Pose

Thunderbolt Pose w/ Block: (Caution on this one if you have trouble with your knees…lift the hips higher to accommodate) From a kneeling position, place a yoga block longways from midcalf to ankles and set your hips on the block.  If your knees are comfortable, try placing the block vertically to lift the hips higher.  Close your eyes and rest your hands on your thighs, palms up.  Breathe and hold for 4-6 breaths or as long as you’re comfortable.

Yoga Journal Article with meditation tips on anger: Unmasking Anger