{"id":588,"date":"2019-02-04T13:46:04","date_gmt":"2019-02-04T13:46:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/madamebridal.com\/blog\/?p=588"},"modified":"2019-02-04T15:30:47","modified_gmt":"2019-02-04T15:30:47","slug":"stress-free-wedding-with-yoga","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/madamebridal.com\/blog\/stress-free-wedding-with-yoga\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Ways to Create a Peaceful Wedding with Yoga"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In today\u2019s busy world, it’s hard enough to schedule in some me-time on a regular day, but during the week of your wedding it can seem nearly impossible. Of course you want everything to be perfect, and there might be some last minute things on your To Do list, but once the big day comes it’s wise to let go and trust that everything will work out as it should (because it will!) If you haven’t yet considered incorporating yoga into your wedding festivities, you might want to after reading our Top 10 Ways to Create a Peaceful (and Blissful) Wedding with Yoga. In recent years, yoga has grown increasingly popular in the West, and for good reason. It not only provides a slew of physical benefits, but also mental and emotional benefits<\/a>. We teamed up with Mary Kathryn Jackson, an experienced yoga teacher, wellness coach, and wedding photographer, to hear how yoga may be a positive addition to your wedding week. Here are her top ten suggestions on how to be a Zen Bride and not a Bridezilla<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Enjoy a Stress Free Wedding Day with Yoga <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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1) Take a Few Moments to Rest and Relax<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Yoga\nis known to calm nerves and reduce stress and anxiety due to the lowering of\ncortisol levels (the stress hormone). Many poses help to balance the endocrine\nsystem (responsible for the production of hormones), as well as soothe the\nadrenal glands, which are often overworked because of our go-go-go lifestyles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Try Child’s Pose<\/strong> to slow down, unwind, and decompress. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFrom\nhands and knees, press your hips back until your glutes rest atop your heels\nwith the tops of your feet on the ground. Keep the knees together for more of a\nrelease in the lower back, or keep your toes together as you open the knees\nwide enough for your torso to fit between them. The second variation allows for\nmore space in the hips. Rest your forehead on the ground or a blanket – this\naction is what signals the Central Nervous System to slow down and relax. Rest\nyour arms out in front or alongside your legs. For a more active stretching\nvariation of child’s pose, stretch your arms out in front while lifting the\nforearms off the ground as you press your hips back toward your heels. \n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2) Just Breathe<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Breathing practices (pranayama) are an essential part of yoga. Deep breathing can be especially calming, but it can also help to promote clarity and a sense of well-being. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Try Ujjayi Breath (victorious breath)<\/strong> for a deeper sense of peace and tranquility. Ujjayi is done by slightly constricting the muscles in the throat as you breathe, just like you do when you try to fog up a window, or when you make the “Ha” sound. For this practice, the same muscles are constricted while the mouth is closed. Practice it and you’ll get it! Breathe in deeply through the nose. As you exhale, act as if you’re fogging up a mirror then close your mouth as you do so. Continue to breathe in and out with this slight constriction. Ujjayi breath is great for calming the mind, bringing your attention inward to your body, relaxing the nervous system, and clearing out toxins.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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3) Get the Yoga Glow<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ever seen someone who just finished an awesome yoga practice? They’re usually glowing! That’s because stagnant energy has become unstuck and their circulation is increased. Try an inversion, like Downward Facing Dog, Legs Up the Wall, or Headstand (if that’s familiar to you). Inversions reverse blood flow and oxygenate the entire system, like a big flush. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Try Downward Dog<\/strong> to get some upside down time while lengthening the entire backside of the body (bonus!) From your Child’s Pose: place both hands on the ground about shoulder-width distance apart. Lift your knees off the ground as you press your hips back and up toward the sky coming into an inverted V shape. Your upper body moves toward your legs as you press your navel and lower ribs up toward your spine. Keep your neck in line with the rest of your spine. Strong hands, feet, and core here! Bend the knees if it’s too intense, but try to maintain a straight spine. Breathe deeply here for 5 breaths! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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4) Get Grounded <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Yoga is very grounding in that it brings your attention back into your body and out of your head. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Try Crescent Pose<\/strong> to get grounded and feel strong! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFrom\nDownward Facing Dog: step one foot forward between your hands. Bend the front\nknee to about 90 degrees as you straighten the back leg and lift the back heel\noff the floor. Keep the legs strong and active. Adjust your stance as needed.\nHug your inner thighs toward one another as you lengthen out through your back\nheel. Reach your arms overhead while maintaining space between your shoulders\nand your neck. Option: open your arms out wide with the palms facing up. Strong\nhands, arms, core, legs, and feet! Breathe deeply and smile here for 5 full\nbreaths. You are strong and grounded. (Pro tip: repeat that phrase to yourself\nas you’re in Crescent Pose!)\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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5) Move Your Energy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

According to the American Osteopathic Organization<\/a>, yoga “improves energy level, vitality, and stamina,” which will ensure you get through the whole day feeling upbeat. Whether you’re flowing through a sequence, or moving slowly between a few poses you will be breaking up stagnant energy making way for clear circulation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

6) Bond with Loved Ones<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A yoga class is really great for bringing people together. Invite your loved ones to gather in a more relaxed atmosphere during your wedding weekend.<\/a> Studies show, a group yoga class stimulates the release of oxytocin (the bonding hormone). You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the joy and peace everyone will feel after doing something mellow and caring for their bodies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

7) Stretch and Prep for the Dancefloor <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Your body will feel stretched and strengthened for an evening on the dance floor. Consider it a warm up ;) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

8) Get an Emotional Tune-Up <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nYour\nwedding day is one of the biggest days of your life, and that can sometimes\nfeel overwhelming. We totally get it! Yoga has your back (pun intended). The\nendorphin release and calming response from the nervous system will work\ntogether to balance your emotions. Sure, you may still experience a range of\nemotions when the speeches start rolling, but you’ll feel more equipped to\nnavigate through with ease and grace. \n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9) Practice Mindfulness <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When we start the day slowly with attention to and awareness of our bodies and breath, we can hopefully move through whatever comes our way with the same level of mindfulness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

10) Improve Posture and Alignment <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Yoga\nimproves posture and alignment which means you’ll be feeling taller, stronger,\nand beautiful not only in your photos, but all day long! <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In today\u2019s busy world, it’s hard enough to schedule in some me-time on a regular day, but during the week of your wedding it can seem nearly impossible. Of course you want everything to be perfect, and there might be some last minute things on your To Do list, but […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":593,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-588","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-wedding-planning"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/madamebridal.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/588","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/madamebridal.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/madamebridal.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/madamebridal.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/madamebridal.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=588"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/madamebridal.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/588\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/madamebridal.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/593"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/madamebridal.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=588"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/madamebridal.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=588"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/madamebridal.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=588"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}