How Wheat Bags Can Enhance Yoga Practice
Yoga has been around for millennia and has skyrocketed in popularity in recent years due to its physical and mental benefits. What makes in even more appealing is that anyone can do it to help increase flexibility, build strength, improve focus and boost relaxation. But whether you’re a beginner or a fully-fledged yogi, using a wheat bag can enhance your yoga practice and elevate your overall experience.
Although wheat bags are more commonly known for their therapeutic benefits, they are perhaps a little less known for their ability to enhance yoga practice. However, using a Wheat Bag as a prop in yoga can help to deepen stretches, provide support and enhance relaxation.
Increase Flexibility
One of the main benefits of using a wheat bag when practicing yoga is the capacity to increase flexibility and range of motion. Normally a wheat bag would be used after the fact, whether it’s healing from an injury or soothing muscles after a physical activity, but with yoga it is different. By harnessing the heat from a wheat bag and applying to tight or tense muscles, the wheat bag can relax muscle fibres and improve circulation. This makes it easier to hold yoga poses and move into position.
Tip: Placing a heated wheat bag on your hips during a seated forward fold can help to release tension and allow for a deeper stretch.
Support
Wheat bags can also be used to provide support during yoga poses. A good example of this would be placing a wheat bag or an eye pillow under the forehead during a child’s pose to help support the neck and head This allows for a more comfortable and relaxing stretch. Another option is using a wheat bag to support the back during bridge pose. This can help to lift the chest and open the heart which improves posture and alignment.
Enhance Relaxation
A large part of yoga is the sense of relaxation that it provides. The heat from a wheat bag has a soothing effect on the body, making it easier to relax and fully focus on mindfulness and the present. This is especially helpful during restorative yoga practices which aim to release tension and find stillness in the body and mind.
Meditation
Place a wheat bag on your lap or stomach to help ground your body. The heat from the wheat bag can provide warmth and comfort during meditation. Use the weight of the wheat bag to help to anchor the body and mind and keep you focussed.
Natural Healing
Like any physical practice, aftercare is also important. This is where the wheat bag comes in, using targeted heat to help alleviate aches and pains that may arise during or after yoga. The application of heat helps to increase blood flow, reduce inflammation and reduce pain.
So next time you roll out your yoga mat, consider reaching for a wheat bag to take your practice to the next level.