Recently, many studies have come forward showing how Yoga can speed recovery and fight fatigue in everyone, from cancer patients to MS sufferers, to those who report chronic or regular fatigue in their daily lives. The Society for Integrative Oncology and Science Daily have published studies showing just how beneficial Yoga can be for those recovering from or fighting disease, and, within the past two years, Yoga Journal has cited a study showing how Yoga can help relieve chronic fatigue.

Further studies have revealed that Yoga can reduce stress, end insomnia, and produce more energy, positive thoughts and happy emotions. For those of us who find ourselves going to bed tired and waking up just as tired, day after day, this is welcome news. The Yoga lifestyle can help us detect where we might be overstraining ourselves or throwing ourselves off balance. Since fatigue has plenty to do with our daily moods, emotions and outlook, overcoming a constant state of exhaustion can vastly improve our lives.

There is a trifecta of factors which work against fatigue and all of them fall under the category of Yoga, which requires us to not harm ourselves, and to turn our daily practice toward all we do, from eating well, to getting enough sleep. Eating plenty of healthful foods and staying hydrated is the first "must" for fighting fatigue. The second, of course, is taking time to rest and recover, enjoy life and experience those around us. The third factor is our asana practice, which falls under physical activity, and can even extend to walking, running, or other forms of exercise.

While much of what we do to fight fatigue happens off the mat, on the mat there are some very specific practices we can incorporate for staving off exhaustion and increasing, both, how well we sleep, and how much energy we have during the day. Breathing exercises, such as pranayama, or Swarayoga are two great ways to fight fatigue. They can be done before or after Yoga practice, before bed, and early in the morning. Breath control and Breath-Yoga increase the flow of oxygen, soothe tense muscles, and calm mental stresses.

We can also do some specific poses, such as Uttanasana, or Standing Forward Bend, to loosen our hips, stretch our calves and thighs and let go of tiredness and stress. Next to standing forward bend, Downward Dog is my second favorite pose for reducing tiredness. Proud pigeon is my favorite, above all. Proud pigeon, pigeon pose, and its variations, just like Down-dog are both active and restful, releasing deep tensions, smoothing the emotions, quieting the thoughts, and strengthening and stretching all at the same time.

Finally, a very simple pose I was doing as a child before I even knew to call it a Yoga pose, Viparita Karani, or Legs-Up-The-Wall, from Restorative Yoga, is a simple, relaxing pose. When done correctly and regularly, it reduces fatigue, produces more restful sleep, and decreases stress, back pain, and shoulder pain. It is best done with a bolster at the base of the spine, and a wide, opened chest formed by placing the arms in a goal post position. Another variation, which will require the help of a teacher or friend, puts weights on the feet to add comfort and healing.

Aside from these specific poses, doing Yoga regularly and getting plenty of exercise should help you regain your health and energy. Remember, asana practice alone will not do enough to get rid of fatigue, As Yogis, we are also required to care for our whole selves by eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, making sure to drink enough pure, fresh water, and giving ourselves the rest we need. Only with this trifecta can we truly fight off fatigue and let ourselves feel like the energetic, happy people we are meant to be.