Let’s face it – Atlanta traffic really can be bad, and the recent I-85 bridge collapse has only added more time (and frustration) to the daily commute. But more time in a car doesn’t have to be all bad, and there really is a way to relax while stuck in traffic.
Here are six safe, driver-friendly yoga exercises you can do while in traffic (provided by Amber Barry, owner of Westside Yoga, ).
1. Just breathe. In yoga, the breath controls our prana (life force). Yogis believe how we breathe affects the quality of our life. With this in mind, use your time in the car to breathe deeply. Deep inhales help bring more oxygen to the brain, the blood and the muscles, and long exhales help us release energy that does not serve us. Focused breathing creates a relaxation response that will help you arrive at your destination with a clear head and happy heart.
2. Be mindful. Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention. While driving, put away your phone, turn off the radio, and pay attention to your environment. Notice as many details as possible – the colors of the cars around you, the feel of the air against your skin, the sound of the traffic on the road. Use your five senses to keep you in the present moment.
3. Repeat a mantra. True happiness comes from quieting the mind and making peace with our circumstances, whatever they may be. You might repeat “it is what it is” in your mind or aloud – a great reminder that we must accept what we can’t change. Or you might try “so hum,” a Sanskrit mantra that means “I am that” and can evoke peace. Simply repeat your mantra over and over in your mind, or speak it out loud, for as long as you can.