Yoga/Zen/Relaxation Tips?
 

So...I have pretty bad anxiety. Like sit around all day worrying about stuff anxiety. I cannot afford Cognitive Behavioral Therapy so I go for exercise...lately exercise has been tough, I've been battling respiratory infections all year (have had about 5 or 6). I've had all sorts of fun chest pain, and it sucks. I'm only 21...so I'm mostly feeling good. I'm getting back into a good cardio routine, and plan on lifting again soon. I do a lot of 3-mile runs for cadio, but sometimes I just do calorie runs. I'm working on lowering my mile time by summer, and would eventually like to build endurance to run 7 or 8 miles without any difficulty.

I was just wondering if any of you guys do breathing exercises, or meditate. I've started doing some 10-minute deep breathing exercises courtesy of youtube. But does anyone have any tips on how to just mellow out and relax for 10 minutes? I figure if I do that twice a day, plus stick with my exercise routine, I will reduce a lot of stress. Doesn't help that I'm busy with school either....

Re: Yoga/Zen/Relaxation Tips?
 

The five knuckle-shuffle. It actually is a stress reliever.

Try to get one in before you go to sleep and once before you get out of bed in the morning. You'll feel more mellow and relaxed throughout the day.

Re: Yoga/Zen/Relaxation Tips?
 

Har har. I should add I have a pretty healthy sex life with your mom. And I don't want to smoke pot. So I'm just going to ignore all the masturbating/pot smoking jokes :p

Re: Yoga/Zen/Relaxation Tips?
 

I do yoga all the time.

Subscribe to Yogamazing's free video podcast:

http://www.yogamazing.com/

Re: Yoga/Zen/Relaxation Tips?
 

I do yoga as well as my cross training to cycling. This site has free yoga workouts, and I'm sure that all the poses are probably on the site with descriptions. It's really good for breathing, and it really makes you stronger and much more flexible as well.

http://www.yogajournal.com/

I think that there's some beginner stuff under the basics tab.

Re: Yoga/Zen/Relaxation Tips?
 

Alright, thanks guys. I'm hoping some relaxing stretches/breathing exercises combined with some good cardio will help me out. I have been so off and on with the gym this year because of being sick...hate life sometimes.

Re: Yoga/Zen/Relaxation Tips?
 

cut out red meat, dairy, and processed foods. well, go raw food and anxiety issues get alleviated. I find, like you guys, that cardio mixed with a lengthy stretch session is great. I like to read the Bible because it gives me peace. I'm in a bit of a state because I've had a severely torn ligament in my ankle since Christmas and haven't been able to work out all that effectively. 3 hours sleep before midnight also helps because it's 'better' sleep than after 12am.=wake up more refreshed and clear headed.

Re: Yoga/Zen/Relaxation Tips?
 

Eat fast food, play video games, self-medicate with cigarettes and alcohol and kick a puppy once a day.

Re: Yoga/Zen/Relaxation Tips?
 

I'm pretty good, I can compete with all those except for the smoking. I used to have a bad habit of drag smoking cigarettes when I was drunk/high.

Anyway Seth, all those ideas sound good....diet is huge. According to my doctor the two top factors for health are: Genetics, Diet...then exercise and all that other crap.

Having said that, dunno if I will be able to cut out delicious red meat....mmm

Re: Yoga/Zen/Relaxation Tips?
 

This may sound cliche (particularly on a video game forum) but I am getting the Wii Fit so that I can use the Yoga.

However, I find that eating food really low in fat and fresh (I love spring rolls and other Vietnamese foods) makes me feel good.

And I get my aggression out by playing indoor soccer once a week. I feel a lot better after ramming in to someone to get to the ball.

Re: Yoga/Zen/Relaxation Tips?
 

I too love spring rolls. Come over some time.