Editing Yoga for Stress Relief at Home (section)

=== 1. Begin with Breathing: Pranayama (Breath Control) ===
Before jumping into any yoga poses, it's important to calm your nervous system and prepare your body for movement. Breathing exercises, or '''pranayama''', help activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which induces relaxation.

==== Deep Belly Breathing (Diaphragmatic Breathing) ====
This simple breathwork technique can instantly calm your mind and body.

'''How to Do It:'''

# Sit comfortably in a chair or on the floor with your legs crossed. Close your eyes if you feel comfortable.
# Place one hand on your belly and the other on your chest.
# Inhale deeply through your nose, expanding your belly so that your hand rises, while keeping your chest still.
# Exhale slowly through your mouth, allowing your belly to fall.
# Repeat for 5-10 minutes, focusing on the rise and fall of your belly with each breath.

'''Benefits:''' Deep belly breathing helps lower blood pressure, calm the mind, and reduce the stress hormone cortisol.