Yoga not only improves our physical health, it also boosts our mental health. It helps improve our mood, reduce stress, and cope with grief, such as a loved one passing away.

Losing a loved one is both an emotional and stressful experience. But by finding a healthy way to cope with grief, like yoga, you can improve your overall wellbeing.

Health Benefits

Like we mentioned above, yoga improves both our physical and mental health. We’ve already touched on mental health, so let’s go over the physical health benefits.

Some physical health benefits are:

• Improved respiration
• Increased energy
• Balanced metabolism
• Cardiovascular and circulatory health
• Improved strength and balance
• Reduced blood pressure

How Yoga Helps with Grief

Many of the health benefits of yoga also help with physical and mental grief symptoms. Grief affects both our mental and physical health, such as feeling depressed, angry, and achy. By practicing yoga, you can help improve your mood and physical health. It also helps with depression, anxiety, and fatigue.

For example, author and yoga therapist Heather Stang practices and teaches yoga for coping with grief. Although she suggests grief poses, she said everyone should choose poses that help with their physical and emotional suffering. As everyone grieves differently, everyone practices yoga differently — and there is no right or wrong way to do it.

Poses for Grief

Below are five of many poses that can help you cope with grief. Remember, don’t overwork yourself and only do the poses that you’re comfortable doing.

Cobra Pose

Child’s Pose

Eagle Pose

Warrior 2 Pose

Final Relaxation Pose

For more grief pose suggestions, check out this article by Heather Stang.

Have you ever done grief yoga or taught a class? Share your experience in the comments below!