Soothe Jangled Nerves with a Supported Child’s Pose

Have you seen this hilarious e-card? Entitled "A Day in the Life of a Screaming Banshee," the animated card shows a woman screaming when she wakes up, screaming when she brushes her teeth, screaming in the car, screaming in the elevator, screaming at her desk, screaming at the grocery store, screaming in front of the TV... It's sad and hilarious at the same time.

We've all got a screaming banshee inside of us, and when life gets hectic (as it always does), she just gets louder and stronger. The best way I know to soothe the inner banshee is a restorative yoga pose called supported child's pose. The next time you find yourself overtired, overstressed, and overreacting to every little thing, give yourself 10 minutes to try these simple steps. Soon enough, you won't be able to remember what you were screaming about in the first place.

Supported Child's Pose

• Find someplace clean, spacious, and comfy, such as a carpeted floor or your bed.

• Grab two of your biggest pillows, or, if you're lucky enough to have one, your yoga bolster.

• Place your shins on the floor or the bed and sit back on your heels.

• Open your knees wide so that they are at least 12 inches apart.

• Place the pillows or the bolster lengthwise between your knees.

• Fold at your waist and come to rest your belly, chest, and shoulders on your cushioning.

• Turn your head to one side and rest your cheek on the pillow.

• Breathe, breathe, breathe. Feel your belly expanding down into the pillow as you inhale, and rise up toward your spine as you exhale.

• Halfway through the time you spend here, turn your cheek to the other side.

When you're done, gently push yourself up to sit. Move slowly, like a snail. Let your body equalize before you head back into your day.

There, there. Isn't that better?