Yes, Yoga Can Help Reduce Panic Attacks

by darla on May 3, 2009

yoga for panic attacksYoga Journal has so many wonderful resources on yoga (that goes without saying, of course.) The article below contains information to help ground yourself when you are feeling overwhelmed. I wanted to share this because I know so many of us are experiencing extra stress lately due to the financial crisis and other environmental factors.

Some of the suggested tips are:

  • Deepen your breathing and make your exhales longer than your inhales.
  • Emphasize grounding poses in your yoga practice
  • Get a good night’s sleep. (I could definitely work on this one myself!)

Check it out for more great suggestions: Yoga Journal – Yoga Mentor Experts – Yoga Poses to Reduce Panic Attacks.

What do you do when you’re feeling nervous or panicked? Please share any tips you have in the comments below.

P.S. Other things that have worked for me:

  • Regular yoga practice – even if just a few sun salutations at home
  • Meditation
  • Eliminate or reduce caffeine
  • Warm bath
  • Calling a good friend
  • Breathe
  • Journaling

Article by Darla Brown

Darla Brown is the founder of Share Yoga. Darla's love of yoga started over 20 years ago. She has studied with Master Yoga Teacher Max Strom. Darla has written 161 awesome articles for Us.

{ 31 comments… read them below or add one }

Crystal Singing Bowls May 3, 2009 at 2:41 pm

I just found your blog. Great articles and well written. Namaste!

darla May 3, 2009 at 7:02 pm

Thank you! I appreciate your comment.

Lary Jonshan May 19, 2009 at 5:56 am

While going through your blog i found out that yes yoga is the best cure to get cured from panic attack.
Good Day

Holly August 3, 2009 at 2:42 am

Hi, I’ve tried yoga and have found that it does help with panic attacks. The deep breathing exercises really do help. It may not be a ‘cure’ but it does reduce them a lot.

Mark August 6, 2009 at 6:53 pm

Hi, I totally agree with the concept of using yoga to prevent anxiety and panic attacks from occuring. If you can quite the mind and take time out of your day to settle yourself down you are much better placed to free yourself from an anxious state. I also use meditation as I love anything to do with natural treatments.
.-= Mark´s last blog ..Do Follow Commentluv Keyword Luv and Top Commenters =-.

Eve @ Yoga Best August 16, 2009 at 2:14 pm

Thanks for the tips and your concern for those experiencing financial difficulties. Meditation and Asanas as you suggest will help.

Shanti to you and all

Eve
.-= Eve @ Yoga Best´s last blog ..The Best Yoga DVDs for Beginners =-.

Bill @ Cure for Panic Attacks September 3, 2009 at 3:49 pm

Your statement about using yoga and meditation to contrl panic attacks is spot on. My daughter and I have used both to control our breathing which allows us to control our anxieties. I actually use Transcendental Meditation which I learned back in early seventies.

Allan Howse September 15, 2009 at 6:04 pm

Love this, bookmarked! :D

Niyati September 18, 2009 at 8:23 am

I read your whole article and I loved your article. Yoga today is very important in people’s life. There is work load and stress at work place so for reducing this stress yoga has become necessary. It keeps the people fit and fine away from all the health problems. And I have some good yoga tips at http://www.jiyohealthy.com/category/stress/

Kelly @ Zen Alarm Clocks October 18, 2009 at 9:47 pm

I really think that anything that quiets your mind and brings you back to center can help with not only panic attacks, but many stress related illnesses as well. I think if everyone would take fifteen minutes a day to quiet the mind before they start their day, the world would be a better and healthier place!
.-= Kelly @ Zen Alarm Clocks´s last blog ..Zen Travel Alarm Clock =-.

Tobi - Phuket Meditation November 16, 2009 at 4:30 am

Hi,
If I am afraid of something, I try to remember that fear attracts circumstances in my life that support my mental state of fear. Instead of thinking about what I don`t want, I think about what I do want and I make that stronger within my mind. Breathing normally doesn`t help me but I can imagine that it helps if you bring up the necessary concentration. Mantras might help as well if one has faith. Thanks for your blog. Its interesting and nice to read.
Best regards,
Tobi

darla December 3, 2009 at 1:22 pm

Good advice Tobi. Thanks.

Darvin @ Discount Yoga Mats January 2, 2010 at 11:35 pm

Yoga provide a multitude of benefits, both physical and mental. It is my opinion that yoga can help everyone no matter what their fitness goals are!… even if they’re just trying to deal with anxiety attacks.
.-= Darvin @ Discount Yoga Mats´s last blog ..Manduka Yoga Mats =-.

Eldon Hoffine January 20, 2010 at 2:42 pm

I am blown away at how wonderful the content is on this web site. I have bookmarked this website and I really intend on coming back to the site in the next few days. Great job keep up the fantastic work!

Sarah@yoga mat wipes January 21, 2010 at 5:17 pm

It’s pretty crazy since many of my friends have experienced heightened stress in the past year and panic attacks are running rampant. Anything that can help is worth exploring, thanks for the information.
.-= Sarah@yoga mat wipes´s last blog ..Sitemap =-.

Panic Attack cure January 24, 2010 at 7:52 am

Nice Post thanks for the info!

sara January 25, 2010 at 1:56 am

I agree that yoga can help the body get a good night’s sleep! I know a lot of people who were insomniacs before but can now sleep with no difficulty, all thanks to yoga. Overall, yoga is really very good for the body! It not only improves one’s physical health; it also improves the mental and spiritual one.
.-= sara@Yeast Infection Relief´s last undefined ..If you register your site for free at =-.

Panic Attacks January 26, 2010 at 4:31 pm

A really nice article about controling panic attacks with yoga. I will use some of this information to add at my own article. Keep up with the good work

Teresa M. Edwards April 10, 2010 at 3:22 am

I’ve always wanted to try yoga because I’ve heard that it is very relaxing exercise. Anyway, I’d love to recommend yoga to my friends. Thanks for posting this very informative entry.

Cheers,

Teresa of Getting My Ex Back
.-= Teresa M. Edwards´s last undefined ..Response cached until Sat 10 @ 8:56 GMT (Refreshes in 0.60 Hours) =-.

overcoming panic attacks June 12, 2010 at 2:08 pm

Talking treatments work best if you can get referred by your doctor but relaxation techniques through yoga will also be beneficial. The important thing is realising you have a problem and doing something about it. It’s hard work but with willpower overcoming panic attacks is definately possible.

Bev July 2, 2010 at 7:04 pm

Thanks for your post/article about the benefits of Yoga to reduce Panic Attacks. I have in the past suffered from high blood pressure and seemed to be “stressed out” all of the time. Life was a blur, there was no focus, no balance and I was always in a hurry to get everything done (Looking back, I think I was mostly running around in circles). Yoga has been the key answer for me. By taking time for my self, by practicing yoga, I am calm, more focused and able to get a lot more accomplished. I have never been more in balance and really enjoy life now.
.-= Bev ´s last blog ..Yoga Instructor Certification =-.

panic away review August 9, 2010 at 3:34 am

I went through your blog, and I found it really good thanks for your advices. I agree with these advice and look forward to more such advices.
I went through all this and I really appreciate it.
Thanks for your articles.

whiz November 13, 2010 at 2:49 pm

Thanks for the tip. The last time i tried this yoga alled bikram yoga, i fainted after 30 mins. That was embarrasing.

Amy @ Eco Yoga Mat November 14, 2010 at 1:23 pm

My oldest daughter suffered from panic attacks. Her last one was so bad she ended up in the hospital. Since then she has taken up yoga and qigong and has not had an attack since. It really does work, and has so many health and anti aging benefits as well.

darla November 15, 2010 at 5:43 pm

@whiz – You may want to try a gentle vinyasa yoga class that also focuses on breathing and meditation to help with the panic attacks. If you do decide to do Bikram, speak to your doctor first and stay hydrated! ~namaste~

kumar November 20, 2010 at 3:31 am

thanks it’s relife from strees

Norma Ceovantes December 9, 2010 at 9:48 pm

I think you have mentioned some very interesting points , thank you for the post.

Anonymous June 23, 2011 at 11:12 am

Extatic about the results, it works awesome good tips

Kim@How To Manage Stress November 29, 2011 at 5:07 pm

These are great tips for stress and panic! I will add distracting my mind with something that makes me laugh and hugging my dogs. Very efficient.

Isabel @ Yoga Classes in West Yorkshire December 15, 2011 at 5:44 pm

In my experience yoga can certainly help aleviate panic attacks and is a proven strategy I’ve used with students at my yoga classes. Good post.

Jessica@Yoga January 12, 2012 at 1:09 pm

Yoga helps a lot, i got very good experience. Thanks for nice points, will keep in mind.

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