Why do we get headaches?

Headaches are often caused by muscle tension. Tension in the sternocleomastiod and scalenes in the neck as well as the upper trapezius will restrict the arteries that supply blood to the brain. Headaches are nature's warning that our brains are not getting enough blood supply and oxygen. That's why we often get headaches when we are stressed - emotional or psychological stress causes us to tense up our bodies, usually the shoulders and neck/jaw. Hence the headache.

So what can you do about it? Deal with anger

Emotional stress can lead to headaches, so what emotions are the culprits? A study done at Saint Louis University found that anger, particularly bottled-up anger, was more of a cause of headaches than either anxiety or depression (the latter two being very commonly linked to headaches).

If anger is your problem here's what to do:

1. relax your jaw and your neck muscles, sit tall and take deep breaths - this will help to dissipate your anger
2. practice a little self-study (svadhyaha) to found out what is making you angry
3. practice letting go of things that you can't control
4. practice forgiveness - forgiveness will not change the past but neither will anger. Learning to let go of resentment will change you .. for the better.

Yoga to help headaches

Any kind of yoga can be helpful because it heightens awareness of the breath whilst simultaneously exercising and relaxing the key muscles involved in causing tension. The practice should be well-rounded - and include standing, lying, and seated postures as well as inversions, backbends and balances. As well as active energising postures, a good sequence should include restorative postures such as yin yoga. Yin yoga postures are stretches that are held for up to 5 mins, and work on the deep fascial connective tissues and the energy meridians.

Try these yin yoga postures with deep breathing:

1. Anahatasana
2. Butterfly
3. Child's pose
4. Loose forward bend
5. Frog
6. Lying Twists
7. Savasana

Other considerations

Sinus pressure, associated with a cold or allergies, are another common cause of headaches. These can often lead to migraines. The best practice for this is neti. Neti is a yogic shatkrya (or cleansing practice) and if done correctly, using the right type of pot, can be a wonderful practice that refreshes and clears the head.