Stress and anxiety play pivotal roles in our lives but with recent statistics revealing that a quarter of us feel stressed a couple of times a day¹ it
seems the nation needs a helping hand to relax after a hectic day.

Yantra has teamed up with yoga and acupressure expert Tracey Wilkinson to create The Yantra Technique to help relax, revitalise and restore the body’s energy levels.

Tracey is a yoga and acupressure therapist who teaches Hatha Yoga and meditation classes with students in their homes, in the community and in health clubs. She is trained in both anatomy and Chinese medicine at degree level, which heavily influences her approach to teaching.

 

The Yantra Technique is a 45-minute routine that has been created by Tracey exclusively for the Yantra Mat, a portable foam acupressure mat covered in spiked ‘flowers’ that stimulate the ‘acupoints’ on the body.

Tracey comments: “The Yantra Technique is perfect for people with busy lifestyles as the routine uses modified yoga poses which help to strengthen core muscles, increase flexibility and calm the mind. Applying pressure to various points on the body also increases circulation and enables users to achieve a deeper state of relaxation.”

The routine works on the principles of acupressure by promoting the release of ‘endorphins’ and ‘oxytocin’; the body’s natural painkilling hormones to reduce stress and relieve feelings of fatigue.

The routine is comprised of three sections:

1. BREATHING - A greater awareness of your breathing can help to relax the mind and reduce tension. The Yantra Technique encourages a more effective use of the diaphragm and lungs to ensure users breathe more effectively.

 

2. PHYSICAL MOVES - Various yoga poses have been modified and specifically tailored for the Yantra Mat such as the ‘Spiky Banana’ (modified from the traditional Bow Pose) and the ‘Curling Hedgehog’ (modified from the Child’s pose). These movements will improve your flexibility and help to strengthen core muscles by helping joints and tendons stay supple.

 

3. RELAXATION – The spikes on the mat improve blood flow and increases circulation, which helps to transport oxygen throughout the body and aid cell renewal. Reducing anxiety and relieving stress also promotes an overall greater sense of wellbeing.

 

¹ 3,000 people were surveyed across the UK by OnePoll in February 2011.