People that make yoga a priority in their overall wellness efforts are acquainted with the ways that yoga contributes to strength, flexibility and a clearer head. These gifts of yoga often come to the practitioner immediately and can be sustained over time. What is perhaps less understood are the many ways that yoga can be beneficial in times of upheaval. Particularly as an antidote to feelings of grief and loss, yoga can be one of the very best tools in our wellness toolbox.

Grief can strike anyone at any stage of life, often unexpectedly. Although we often think of grief as the result of the death of a loved one, it can manifest after a variety of life events, such as a child leaving for college, a partner developing early onset dementia, infertility or a pregnancy loss, a job loss or other financial setback. All can contribute to feelings of isolation and despondence.

Grief can manifest as sadness, fear, guilt, exhaustion and more, impacting our mental and physical well-being, but engaging in self-care practices that help manage stress can be immensely beneficial. That is why a yoga practice that includes movement, mindfulness meditation and deep breathing exercises can contribute so positively to the feelings experienced in grief and trauma. The word yoga itself means union; the practice itself is really about seeking to restore unity and harmony to body, mind and spirit.

By embracing mindfulness, releasing physical and emotional tension, cultivating self-compassion and finding community support, yoga becomes a valuable wellness and self-care tool that may help to guide someone grieving toward acceptance. In moments of profound sorrow, using movement and mindfulness can allow the practitioner to detach from past regrets or worries about the future while encouraging efforts to stay grounded in the present moment.

The calm mind and sense of inner peace that occur through deep breathing and meditation can transcend emotional turmoil. Through movement, bodies can gradually begin to release pent-up emotions, providing a safe space for tears, anger or even unexpected joy. When practiced in a nurturing environment with other individuals on their own grief journeys, the sense of connection, solace and understanding from the collective energy of the group can also contribute to a feeling of wellness. Thus the shared wisdom of the group may help participants to navigate the grief process with more resilience.

As an individual moves through grief, yoga can serve to empower the practitioner to emerge stronger, more resilient and more appreciative of the preciousness of life. Yoga classes specially designed to address issues of grief and loss may be an especially effective tool of self-care.

Nancy Watson is a certified compassionate bereavement care yoga instructor. For more information, email [email protected] or visit YogaForGriefDallas.com.