Category Archives: Yoga Philosophy
How Yoga Can Help us to Evaluate and Manage Stress
One of the most frequently heard expressions today is “I’m stressed”. Stress is an inevitable part of modern-day living, however, most stress can be reduced considerably and even eliminated. Here are some considerations when contemplating stress in your life, and suggestions for reducing it:
(1) What causes me to become stressed? Commonly shared examples of stressors are: Time-keeping, negative relationships, and money … However, stress is very personal. What may stress one person, will not stress another.
(2) What can I do to reduce my stressors? Take, for example, being unpunctual. If being late stresses you, then allow more time for your journey, plan for the unexpected, and add extra time if necessary. Give yourself more time than you are likely to need so that you can relax and enjoy the journey, rather than rushing and arriving stressed and on edge.
(3) What can I not change? If you cannot change it, then try to make it acceptable by viewing it from a different perspective. Annoying relatives perhaps will seem less annoying if you can understand and accept your differences.
(4) Invest some time on your mat in quiet contemplation. Ask yourself “why am I stressed, and what can I do about it right now?” Allow the question to settle, and quietly watch your breath. Trust in your vijnanamaya kosha, the wise part of us that holds the answers, and wait for inspiration to come. It may not come as quickly as you like, and it may not always been the answer you were hoping for, however it will be the right answer for you.
(5) Contemplate the Serenity Prayer, and let it’s wisdom inspire you to trust in the guidance you receive:
“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
Courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference.”
(6) Be active and expunge negative energy. Use the adrenalin that your body is supplying: Run, walk fast or choose a more energetic yoga practice … whatever works for you.
(7) Breathe consciously – slowly and deeply, comfortably and with control. Focus on the body as you breathe. Notice the rise and fall of the front of the body with each breath-round. Notice the lungs expanding with the in-breath and the body softening with the out-breath. Allow the breath to ease the mind and the body into a state of tranquillity. Remind yourself that it is impossible to breathe slowly and calmly and be stressed or anxious at the same time. So now you have a choice to be calm or stressed. Although stress starts in our mind, we can erase it through the way we use our thoughts, our breath or our body. And a combination of all three is powerful … it is what we call yoga!
Om Shanti (Peace to Everyone)If you would like to know more about yoga, stress and anxiety management, mindfulness or relaxation techniques please contact Sarah, email me at: [email protected], find me on Facebook under Free To Think, or text or telephone me on: 07817623330
Yoga Workshop – Saturday, 22nd February 2014 – The Seven Primary Chakras
So the first of our 2014 Saturday Yoga Workshops is nearing and I am really looking forward to it! If you have attended before you will already know that the workshops all strike a balance between practising, discovering and evolving.
This workshop will reflect the philosophical nature of the chakras, in that we will be working very meditatively, turning our attention inwards, and reflecting on the where’s, how’s and why’s of each of the seven primary energy centres.
If you only like the physical postures side of yoga, then this workshop is probably not for you as the emphasis is more on reflection and self-awarenes, and not on the physical asana aspect of yoga. That does not mean that we will not be practising postures. We will, in the light of the work that we are doing, take postures that are specifically aimed at each of the primary chakras.
So if you would like to discover more about the philosophy of yoga, and in particular the unseen energy systems in our bodies and how they affect each of us, emotionally, physically, psychologically and spiritually, then this workshop will probably be of interest to you. Participants will be given an introduction to the theory of the chakras and a physical asana practice that is designed to balance, heal and integrate the chakras for improved physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual health.
And of course, because it’s yoga, you will probably leave feeling uplifted, positive and inspired!
I still have some places available, so if you are interested, or would like to book your place, please email: [email protected] or text/ring me on: 07817623330.