Try These 5 Easy Yoga Asanas For Migraine Relief

If you’re prone to migraines, you know that the pain is like no other. The throbbing pain on one side of the head is often accompanied by nausea, sensitivity to light and dizziness, and can result in feelings of anxiety too. “Practising yoga can help you deal with tension and stress, both contributors to migraines,” says Mumbai-based yoga expert Anshuka Parwani. These yoga asanas improve blood circulation and flow to your brain, which helps in soothing the throbbing pain. So, whether you want to counter the chances of another attack, or are in the middle of one, these five yoga asanas will help with pain relief.

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Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog)

This asana allows the blood to rush to the head, which provides relief from headaches. It stretches your body, allows your mind to clear up, and strengthens your bones as well.

How to do it?

Start by coming on to all fours.
Exhale and lift your hips, so that your body is in an inverted ‘V’ position.
Keep your fingers spread and your feet on the floor.
Engage your core and gaze down towards your navel.
Hold this position for five to seven deep breaths and then return to the original position.

Palming

This is an excellent yoga asana that relaxes tired eyes and feelings of stress. Often, a spiral of negative thoughts put a strain on our mind and can trigger a migraine attack. “Palming will help you slow down your thoughts, become conscious of your breath, and pay more attention to your body,” says Parwani.

How to do it?

Sit in a comfortable position and take a deep breath.
As you exhale, bring your palms to your eyes, and cup your eyes.
Try to block out as much light as you can.
As you inhale again, remove the palms from your eyes.
Repeat this as many times as comfortable.

Prasarita Padottanasana (Wide-legged Forward Bend Pose)

This asana refreshes your brain with oxygenated blood. Even if you have neck issues or shoulder pain, this asana can be done easily. It is one of the best asanas to get rid of migraine pain.

How to do it?

Begin by standing straight with your hands stretched straight to your side and your feet apart.
Spread your legs as much as you can.
Now, bring your hands in front of you and bend forward until your head touches the floor.
It is okay if your head does not touch the floor, try to go down as much as you can.
Place your palms on the floor. Hold this position for a couple of breaths and return to the original position.

Supta Baddha Konasana (Reclined Cobbler’s Pose)

This asana allows the pent-up tension in the hips to unlock, and the energy to freely flow in the body. It is a restorative pose that calms us down and reduces the effect of a migraine attack.

How to do it?

Lie down, and keep your spine erect.
Gently bring your feet towards the pelvis.
Touch the soles of your feet to form a diamond shape.
Now bring your feet as close to the groin as possible.
Count to 10 and take deep breaths as you do.
To come out of the pose, stretch your legs out and relax.

Balasana (Child’s Pose)

This asana is really helpful in relaxing the upper body, shoulders, and spine, which helps to relieve the pumping pain in the head. Since the forehead is resting on the ground, pressure points are activated too, which can help lessen the severity of the headache.

How to do it?