Dear Just Be: I can feel my stress level rising with the approaching holidays. Do you have any stress release tips?

We have heard people counting down to the holidays, observed people already sending packages to loved ones at the post office and have noticed people's calendars are filling up & quickly! So with all the hustle and bustle this time of year brings, it is no wonder stress levels rise. We think some basic yoga poses can restore your peace of mind and lower your stress levels so you can enjoy this time of year versus stressing throughout the next few weeks.

As your time permits, try one of these poses. Or if more time allows, put together a flow of the poses.

Childs Pose:
1. Kneel on the floor. Touch your big toes together and sit on your heels, then separate your knees about as wide as your hips.
2. Spread the knees as wide as the mat, keeping the big toes touching.
3. Bring the belly to rest between the thighs and the forehead to the floor.
4. There are two possible arm variations:
Either stretch the arms in front of you with the palms toward the floor or bring the arms back alongside the thighs with the palms facing upwards. Do whichever feel more comfortable to you.

Legs-Up-the-Wall Pose:
1. Sit next to a wall with the side of your body on the wall and your knees bent into the chest.
2. Bring the lower back onto the floor while bringing the legs up the wall. Keep the upper body supported with the elbows on the floor.
3. Slowly release the elbows and lower the whole back down to the floor.
4. If you are comfortable, stay here several minutes.
5. To come out, bring the knees into your chest and roll to your side.
You may wish to support the low back with a bolster or several folded blankets placed right at and parallel to the wall. This also increases the angle of inversion.

Corpse Pose:
1. Come to lie down on the back.
2. Let the feet fall out to either side.
3. Bring the arms alongside the body, but slightly separated from the body, and turn the palms to face upwards.
4. Relax the whole body, including the face. Let the body feel heavy.
5. Let the breath occur naturally.
6. To come out, first begin to the deepen the breath. Then move the fingers and toes, awakening the body.
7. Bring the knees into the chest and roll over to one side, keep the eyes closed.
8. Slowly bring yourself back up into a sitting position.

Just by engaging in just one of these exercises, you will feel more relaxed and centered and able to tackle your holiday shopping, entertain friends and family with a smile on your face and more.

In yoga there are many poses, so continue to with the practice and learn more poses that fit your needs and lifestyle.