Racing mind and short breath? Breathe, you're in the right place.
·9 min read

Racing mind and short breath? Breathe, you're in the right place.

Silvia Ghigliazza

Silvia Ghigliazza

Yoga Teacher

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You know those days when your to-do list seems never-ending, thoughts are racing a mile a minute, and you feel that nagging weight right in the centre of your chest? Anxiety and stress aren't "enemies" to fight with force, but signals that our nervous system is stuck in "constant alert" mode.

As a Yogini with a suitcase, I know all too well what it means to find your centre when everything around you is chaos — whether it's an endless work week, tight deadlines, expectations to meet, or simply the hectic daily family routine.

The good news? You don't need to "learn not to be anxious." You just need to learn how to give your body the right command to relax.

How Yoga "talks" to your stress

Yoga isn't just exercise; it's a true switch for your nervous system. Here's what happens when you step on the mat with me:

  • Bye Bye Cortisol — We lower the levels of the stress hormone.
  • We pull the "handbrake" — We stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, the one that tells your heart to slow down and your muscles to let go.
  • We come home — We shift attention from catastrophic thoughts to the real sensations of the body.

Small rituals of calm (Asana and Pranayama)

You don't need an hour of practice to change your mental state. Sometimes a few minutes and the right poses are all it takes. In my approach, we use ancient tools that work at a deep level:

  • Nadi Shodhana — Alternate nostril breathing, perfect for rebalancing energy and calming a mind that jumps from one thought to another.
  • Balasana (Child's Pose) — A bow to yourself, to shut out the world and listen only to your breath.
  • Viparita Karani (Legs Up the Wall pose) — One of my travel favourites! It releases tiredness and instantly calms the nervous system.
  • Advasana — To reconnect with the earth and let go of abdominal tension.

A little secret

The biggest mistake you can make when you're stressed is chasing "performance." If you push yourself to do the perfect pose, you're just adding more stress. On the mat with me, perfection doesn't exist: only how you feel matters.

Your "First Aid Kit" for Anxiety

I know that in moments of crisis it's hard to remember what to do. That's why I created a little digital lifesaver for you. Write "ANSIA" by email and I'll send you my 10-Minute Guided Protocol in PDF. It's a specific sequence, designed to calm you down immediately when you feel the tension taking over. Keep it on your phone, carry it with you always.

Request the protocol

Let's talk about it clearly (FAQ)

The magic of Yoga is that breath works immediately. After just the first 10-minute session you'll feel your shoulders lighter and your mind less cluttered. Consistency will then do the rest to make you more resilient in the long run.

Absolutely not. Yoga is a wonderful complementary support tool. It helps you manage the physical sensations of anxiety and regain presence, working in harmony with whatever other path you're following.

That's normal! If your mind is racing, don't force it to be quiet. We use gentle Twists and breathing to give the mind something to focus on.

Ready to take a deep breath? Your balance is just a mat away. Write to me to receive your sequence and let's start together.

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