One of my personal favorite yoga poses is the Cobra pose – and all of you who have tried it probably know why. The Cobra pose has to be one of the most relaxing poses involving upper body stretching that I have ever indulged in. If you haven't tried it yet, give it a go.

Lying on your stomach, slowly straighten your arms until your torso reaches as far back as is comfortable for you. Keep your thighs, legs and arms engaged as you stretch backwards, not forgetting to breathe deeply throughout the length of the pose. Remember that while doing the Cobra you should concentrate on lifting your chest as you stretch back-- so don't arch your back, but lift your chest upwards. Keep your arms slightly bent, taking care not to lock your elbows tight.

Hold the pose for about 20 seconds, then retract back down to your mat. When you feel ready, go ahead and enter into the pose again, this time challenging yourself even further. See if you can deepen the stretch by reaching your chest higher. Remember that comfort is key here, and the moment any part in your body tells you to stop, your first priority is to listen!

After you feel satisfied with your stretch, lower your torso back onto the mat, place your hands folded in front of you, and let your head rest gently on your hands. Close your eyes, and relax as you feel the new found freedom that your back now can enjoy. As with all yoga poses, you should mark your progress as a personal achievement, and do not compare your results to what others are capable of doing. All of our bodies are very different, all of us have our own weaknesses and strengths, so just work at your own pace!

As you begin your yoga practices, its important that you have a comfortable mat that is thick enough to protect your body from the hard floor. Be sure to find a good yoga mat that has great traction, and that will let you concentrate on your pose without slipping.

Many health problems associated with Americans are often caused by stress. Stress causes people to overeat, raises blood pressure, and sometimes causes heart attacks. How can you reduce your stress levels without resorting to expensive medications or therapy? There are actually several different ways to reduce stress levels that are free. This week, let's talk about reducing stress levels with methods that are free and easy to execute.

Believe it or not, exercise is a wonderful way to beat stress. Some people enjoy quiet walks around the neighborhood, while others prefer a punching bag. Both methods are a wonderful way to reduce stress. Not to mention that they also burn calories. The exact method you use will usually depend on your stress level. If your stress is brought on by worrisome thoughts a calm walk to think things through may be best. On the other hand, if your boss is being a complete jerk, a punching bag works really well.

Another way to reduce stress is to write down your thoughts. Sometimes just getting your thoughts down on paper can make you feel much better. For example, let's say someone has upset you, but you know you can't tell them exactly how you feel. Writing a letter to that person let's you get out all your steam and frustration. Later, you can burn the letter and all the stress that went along with it. Journals are also a good way to express your feelings. Writing in a journal each day gives you a chance to look back and see where the stress is coming from. If you start to see a pattern, or even a time when the stress started, you can pinpoint what's bothering you.

Last, but not least, take a tip from the physiologists and try meditation or visualization. Meditation is when you focus on one thing for a certain period of time so that you can escape the hectic world around you. For example, you may focus on your breathing. Visualization on the other hand is when you picture yourself in a calmer place or something that makes you happy. For example, I often close my eyes and picture myself in a cabin in the snowy mountains of Colorado.