So I couldn’t sleep last night.  And we still haven’t gotten our couch so I couldn’t lay down, watch TV and just zone out.  I just thought and thought and thought some more.  What did I think about?  Everything!  When the couch would arrive, how we were going to pull off 2 Seders in our apartment this weekend, how I was going to explain the new home office furniture I just ordered.  (Dave:  I promise it was on sale.)

You know how things just roll around in your head.  Well, I got to thinking.  When I was planning my wedding, I would be up for hours just thinking of all the things I had to do and coming up with ideas for the wedding.  I think that’s when Dave suggested I leave a notepad and pen on my nightstand so I could write ideas that came to me in the night.

But I didn’t need a notepad.  I needed to get rid of all the stress.

A few days ago I got an email on how to de-stress using a few simple yoga techniques, and I thought I’d share them with you:   

• Shoulder Shrugs

Sit on a cushion and shrug shoulders up as you inhale through your nose, and let shoulders relax as you exhale through your mouth, letting out a big sigh. Repeat 5-10 times. We hold a lot of tension in our shoulders, neck and upper back. This will help relax those muscles.

• Cat/Dog

On hands and knees in table position, extend spine by letting belly, ribs and chest move toward the ground while lifting head and tailbone as you inhale. Then draw navel in, rounding the back and tucking head and tail under as you exhale. Repeat five times. This will help move tension out of your back and neck.

• Child’s Pose

From table position, open knees wide, and sit back toward heels, resting forehead on the floor, stretching arms on the floor in front of you. Take 5-10 deep, three-part breaths into your belly, ribs, chest, and back, continuing to draw navel in at the end of your exhales. Forward bends help us retreat, take a break, and restore our energy.

These yoga technique tips are from Noel Schroeder, creator of Kandalaya Yoga and an instructor at The Sports Club/LA in Boston.

Hope this helps you unwind.  As soon as I get a few photos from an event I went to on Tuesday, I'll give you another great idea on how you can let go of your planning stress and get in shape for the big day.