6 Good Yoga Poses for Headaches

Aside from heading to your medicine cabinet when you are feeling a headache is coming on, you can also do some yoga sequence. As you can see, headaches can be triggered by a variety of causes, such as tight shoulders, tension in the neck or back pain, of which areas can be gently stretched and opened by doing yoga, while improving the blood circulation to your head. Here are some yoga poses for headaches:

1. Seated Heart Opener

This pose targets your chest and the front of your neck, while reducing tension in your back, which is a main cause for headache. To do this, sit on your heels and place your hands behind your feet about 10 inches. Then, arch your head towards the back. Basically, the sequence will make your head feel open and light, so hold for 5 breaths or more if you feel good by doing it.

2. Relaxed Quarter Dog

A more relaxed version of the Downward Facing Dog Pose, this yoga pose will take the pressure off your wrists and hands by resting on your forearms. Holding the position, take several deep breaths and hang your head between your shoulders. Remember that circulating blood to the head can quickly relieve headaches.

3. Happy Baby

If you feel like your headache may be caused by back pain, try this yoga pose and then take a few minutes to relax. Lie on your back, bend your knees and then hold on to the outside edges of your feet or simply your thighs. To increase the stretch in your lower back and hips, slowly rock from side to side. Finally, gently lull your mind into a relaxed state.

4. Seated Neck Release

When your headache is caused by neck pain, you can stretch out such tight area with this yoga pose. To do this, sit in a comfortable position, place your right hand on the left side of your head and then gently tilt your head to the right. Hold the position for a few breaths and then slowly switch sides. Repeat the sequence a few times.

5. Grounded Tipover Tuck

This is a forward bend that is perfect for headache caused by tight shoulders. Sit on the mat in a way that your shins will be parallel and your hip will be distance apart. Interlacing your hands behind you in a double fist, try to lean forward to come into a variation of the Child’s Pose. You can stay in such position if it feels good, or you can lift your hips so you can rest on top of your head in the Grounded Tipover Tuck Pose. Then, lower your hands to a point where you feel a stretch in the back of your neck, as well as your shoulders and chest. Hold the position for 5 or more breaths.

6. Legs Up the Wall

This pose can be done with a wall to sit close to. If this is uncomfortable, you can instead prop your lower back and bum on a folded blanket. You can spread your legs wide in a straddle or keep them together, and then close your eyes, breathe and stay as long as you like.

Now, if you have been recently suffering from headaches, you can try one, two or all of these yoga poses!