Fatigue

We all have experienced common bouts of fatigue as a normal response to over-exertion, emotional stress, boredom, or lack of sleep.This common experience of low energy and/or motivation can usually be alleviated through proper rest, exercise, stress reduction and nutrition. Yoga is an especially effective treatment for fatigue as it combines movement, rest and stress reduction with the cultivation of prana (life force energy) and the activation of the parasympathetic nervous system (rest and renew response).

Yoga Postures
Padangusthasana (Big Toe Pose)
This pose gently lengthens and strengthens even stubbornly tight hamstrings.

Setu Bandha Sarvangasana (Bridge Pose)
Calms the brain and rejuvenates tired legs.

Balasana (Child's Pose)
Balasana is a restful pose that can be sequenced between more challenging asanas.

Savasana (Corpse Pose)
Savasana is a pose of total relaxation--making it one of the most challenging asanas.

Dolphin Pose
A nice shoulder-opening. Also strengthens the core, arms, and legs.

Uttana Shishosana (Extended Puppy Pose)
A cross between Child's Pose and Downward Facing Dog. This pose lengthens the spine and calms the mind.

Ardha Matsyendrasana (Half Lord of the Fishes Pose)
This twist energizes the spine and stimulates the digestive fire.

Janu Sirsasana (Head-to-Knee Forward Bend)
A forward bend for all levels of students, Janu Sirsasana is also a spinal twist.

Marichyasana III (Marichi's Pose)
Marichi's Pose is sometimes called the Sage's Pose.

Dhanurasana (Bow Pose)
The torso and legs represent the body of the bow, and the arms the string.

Ustrasana (Camel Pose)
For this pose you can pad your knees and shins with a thickly folded blanket.

Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)
This posture promotes flexibility in the spine and encourages the chest to open.

Dolphin Plank Pose
A modification of Plank Pose, Dolphin Plank Pose strengthens and tones the core, thighs, and arms.

Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog)
One of the most widely recognized yoga poses... an all-over, rejuvenating stretch.

Matsyasana (Fish Pose)
It is said that if you perform this pose in water, you will be able to float like a fish.

Ardha Chandrasana (Half Moon Pose)
Highly effective strengthener for the legs and ankles.

Salambhasana (Locust Pose)
An effective means for strengthening the back of the torso, legs, and arms in preparation for the deeper backbends.

Halasana (Plow Pose)
Plow Pose reduces backache and can help you get to sleep.

Parivrtta Janu Sirsasana (Revolved Head-to-Knee Pose)
There are two interpretations of the Sanskrit Janu Sirsasana, Head-to-Knee and Head-of-the-Knee. The former emphasizes the forward bend. The latter refers to the "head" of the bent knee that you use press away from you to assist the forward bend.

Sphinx Pose
Sphinx Pose is the infant of backbends. It can be practiced with either an active or passive approach.

Salamba Sarvangasana (Supported Shoulderstand)
This version of Shoulderstand is performed with blanket support under the shoulders.

Purvottanasana (Upward Plank Pose)
Purvottanasana counteracts the effects of Chaturanga by stretching the pectoralis major, pectoralis minor, and anterior deltoids.

Prasarita Padottanasana (Wide-Legged Forward Bend)
The pose as described here is technically known as Prasarita Padottanasana I.

Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward Bend)
Paschimottanasana can help a distracted mind unwind.

Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend)
Uttanasana will wake up your hamstrings and soothe your mind.

Urdhva Mukha Svanasana (Upward-Facing Dog)
Upward-Facing Dog will challenge you to lift and open your chest.

Urdhva Hastasana (Upward Salute)
Urdhva Hastasana literally translates to "Raised Hands Pose," but it is also sometimes called Talasana, the Palm Tree Pose (tala = palm tree).

Camatkarasana (Wild Thing)
One poetic translation of this pose means "the ecstatic unfolding of the enraptured heart."

Pranayama
Pranayama is a very direct method to cultivate prana and energize the body. With a multitude of these techniques, there is a corresponding range of energetic effects for these practices: Dirga Pranayama is a very gentle, soothing and easy pranayama to learn and use, while Kapalabhati and Bastrika are much more powerful and intense.

Meditation
Meditation is an excellent therapy if stress is a contributing factor to fatigue. Use one of the following by itself and/or at the beginning and end of your yoga practice: Inner Peace Meditation, Yoga Meditation, Mantra Meditation.