If you find yourself taking one sip too many next time you’re at a party or in a scene that makes you nervous, try these quick fixes. They‘ll soothe social stress so swiftly that you’ll feel like you're ready to run for public office.  


PRE-PARTY
Savasana: You showered, dressed, dolled-up, and yet your text message to your friend says, "Can’t go." Don’t succumb to pre-party jitters. Before you press Send, lie down in Savasana. “Most people think it’s just a final resting pose after a long class but it can be used [for deep relaxation] any time of day," says J.Michael Taylor, instructor at Yoga Among Friends in Downers Grove, Illinois. Lie down on your back with your arms slightly angled away from your body, lower back touching the floor, and your legs apart and extended. "You become aware of the internal buzzing of your body, which slows your breath down," says Taylor. If your mind wanders, pull yourself back to your breath, which should remind you of a baby breathing in a crib. Go back to that infantile stage when the world was all right and for a full 5-10 minutes breathe through your nose and do nothing.
 
DURING THE PARTY
Supported Forward Bend (Uttanasana): You are there and so is your ex’s new girlfriend who insists on seeking you out to clear the air. Duck into the nearest bathroom and lock the door. Then sit down and fold over into a forward bend. Support your head with your knees. This isn’t a forward bend like you’d use in yoga class while  trying to open your hamstrings. This conservative repose is about letting go. “With your head supported it calms your nervous system physiologically because your body feels the support and releases tension," says Taylor. Make sure you’re lengthening your spine by not collapsing your hips toward the floor, and only allow the forehead to meet your supportive knees or you’ll inhibit your breathing. Breathe through your nose. Stay for 5 to 10 minutes.

POST-PARTY
Legs up the wall (Viparita Karani): You’re beat and you can’t help thinking you made a boob of yourself in front of people you were trying to impress. Letting it go sounds as easy as polishing the Chrysler Building, right? Instead of obsessing, grab some blankets or a firm pillow to use as support. Lie down with your hips on the blanket. Then throw your legs up the wall. By now your hips are supported by the blanket. Your head and shoulders are on the ground. This position opens up your chest, allowing new blood to flow freely,  which increases circulation and relaxes a jazzed nervous system. Plus, your raised legs allow your lymphatic system to work with gravity, as opposed to against. As a result toxins are flushed out of the body with less effort. (That gin and tonic is on its way out instead of feeling like it’s with you until morning.) Breathe through your nose. Stay for 10 minutes.