VIDEO: 8 Yoga Asanas to Cure Headaches and Migraines

We all know yoga is an elemental way to ease stress and relieve tension. So it makes perfect sense that it could cure one of the major side effects of these emotional and physical issues: headaches.

All day, every day, gravity is holding us down. And while that’s great for staying grounded—and not floating out into space!—it’s so important to move in order to keep oxygen and blood flowing throughout the body. That’s the idea behind using yoga to cure headaches: Combining its rhythmic breathing to improve circulation and oxygenate the brain and body with its gentle movements that alleviate pressure in the head and other areas that hold tension, yoga is the absolute most natural, healthy way to relieve headaches—without popping a single pill.

In this video, wellness coach and yoga teacher, Jennifer Partridge, has designed a calming yoga practice that can ease the pain of headaches and migraines in less than 20 minutes. Just be sure to drink plenty of water before and after, since dehydration is one of the most common causes of brain pains.

Hit the yoga mat and press play to see each of these eight asanas in action. Hold each for two minutes while breathing deeply into the belly.

Forward Bend

Holding this stretch while relaxing the head upside down can help settle the nervous system and flow a relaxed energy upward to the brain.

Bridge Pose

Migraines often occur because of tension in the shoulders and neck—bridge pose opens up the shoulders and relaxes those areas.

Child’s Pose

A personal favorite for ours, child’s pose calms the mind and eases tension. Simply resting here while experiencing a migraine can bring a lot of relief.

Cat-Cow

Alternating between dropping the navel towards the earth and rolling it up towards the ceiling can help circulate blood and oxygen between the head the lower regions of the body. It also moves the body in a natural rhythm for deep breathwork.

Forward Fold

Lead with your heart on this seated stretch to elongate the spine.

Downward Facing Dog

Relax the neck even more by holding a strong down dog pose.

Face Massage

In lotus position, give yourself a face massage that will relax the jaw, temples, and muscles around the eyes to help soothe tension headaches or migraines. (Spoiler: this one feels amazing!)

Savasana

Everyone loves a good savasana. Finishing off by relaxing in corpse pose will not only help the practice sink in, but it’s also a great excuse to lay around and just chill out. Do it for as long as you’d like!

Video credits
Produced and Directed by: Liza Glucoft
Director of Photography: Naeem Munaf
Editor: Stephanie Provence