What is Yoga for Anxiety?

Yoga for anxiety is a specialized yoga class designed with content relevant to individuals dealing with anxiety. While most types of yoga can support an anxious mind, it may be more beneficial to work with a yoga teacher who understands your specific needs. This can be accomplished by working with an instructor one-on-one or by finding a yoga studio, such as The Well Yoga Dubuque, which offers classes tailored to stress, trauma, anxiety, and depression.

The Well, located in Dubuque, Iowa, offers personalized 1:1 classes designed specifically for the individual and restorative group classes that include slow yoga, yin yoga, somatics, stretching, and meditation.

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is a feeling of fear, dread, and uneasiness that may cause sweating, restlessness, tension, and a rapid heartbeat. While occasional anxiety and stress are normal, sometimes more proactive measures are needed to manage stress, such as making lifestyle changes or taking medication.

My personal experience with anxiety has changed over the years and has been exacerbated by trauma and stress. The impact was so significant that I was unable to continue my hot yoga routine as I had for many years. The heat, loud music, and even the darkness of some power or hot vinyasa yoga classes would sometimes leave me more anxious than when I arrived. At this time in my life, I was so on edge that my kids yelling "mom" would cause me to have a panic attack. The result was debilitating, as it was difficult to do anything but be in a quiet, non-stimulating environment.

When left untreated, stress and anxiety can cause tension to build up in the body, leading to pain, tightness, and limited movement. Yoga, stretching, and somatic exercises help release this tension and restore movement. Additionally, yoga for anxiety focuses on mindfulness exercises that can improve overall brain health.

As a result of my own anxiety and stress, I was left with limited neck movement for over six months. The pain came on one night after a stressful couple of months at work, on the heels of multiple traumas, and my neck just locked up. I had similar experiences in my 20s and 30s, which had been resolved with an increase in yoga, meditation, massage, and a few trips to the chiropractor, but this time was different. After multiple treatments over several months, I was in no better shape than when I had started. This was a result of not properly caring for myself, and what took years to create could not be undone overnight. In addition to reconnecting with God, healing my mind, and moving my body, I had to make some changes in my life to decrease my overall stress.

All classes at The Well Yoga in Dubuque, Iowa, are designed with beginner students in mind and offer more than just a physical practice. At The Well, we believe in the power of movement and meditation to awaken the mind to new possibilities, connect deeply with our spiritual side, and help us let go of limiting beliefs, strongholds, and lies. Our holistic approach ensures that every session nurtures both the body and the spirit.