Managing
Your Stress with the Ancient Tradition of Yoga
We all experience
stress as a part of our normal everyday lives. It
is part of our human condition and has been since the
first human walked the earth. In fact, our bodies
are wired to cope with stress in a very sophisticated
manner. Stress hormones
release into our systems, and the result is an increase
in heart and respiratory rates, an increase
in muscle tension, and a slow in digestion. Our ancient
ancestors needed the body to kick in this stress response
when encountering life-threatening dangers in the wild.
When the danger passed,
the stress response switched off and systems returned
to normal. The system worked well!
In our high-tech,
fast-paced and demanding modern world, people often feel
overwhelmed, overworked, and exhausted. In a world of
ever-increasing personal and corporate expectations, long
workdays and demanding travel schedules, the body and
mind are simply in overdrive. Common tension
patterns in the neck, shoulders and lower backs set up.
The mind becomes distracted. Energy levels lower. Morale
plummets. The bad news is
that unchecked, what may seem like a simple discomfort
or annoying distraction in your body may lead to debilitating
health problems like cardiovascular disease, immune dysfunction,
cancer, diabetes … the list is growing!
The good news is that there are tangible tools available
to us to reverse the chronic stress and tension patterns
in our bodies and minds and thereby enjoy a better quality
of life all around.
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| Downward dog
exercise |
The
ancient art of Yoga can address all of the negative stress
patterns that commonly occur in our busy lives. While
Yoga has popularly been portrayed as a gymnastic-like
pretzeling of the body, the true tradition of Yoga has
much more to offer. Unlike other forms of exercise, Yoga
is a complete system of postures (called asanas), breathing
techniques (known as pranayama), as well as concentration
and relaxation techniques that help to improve
strength and flexibility, increase blood flow to the brain
and improve concentration, clarity and focus, reduce
physical and mental stress, and eradicate fatigue and
actually generate a calm, relaxed energy.
In a nutshell, Yoga is the perfect system for rebalancing
the body, mind and spirit, which sets up an ideal environment
for vitality, productivity and overall well-being and
satisfaction in life.
Yoga
practice can be adapted to all fitness levels and body
types. It does not require fancy equipment and travels
with you easily. The gentle
postures, relaxation and breathing techniques benefit
a broad range of health concerns and conditions. Simply
taking a few minutes a day to unwind the body with some
stretches, to breathe deeply and relax a bit can go a
long way to alleviate a long list of discomforts and complaints.
Mary Cantando, executive business owner and author,
describes the impact the practice of Yoga has had on her
busy professional life: “Yoga really sets my body
up for travel and then helps me recover. The
neck and shoulders are chronic areas where we carry stress,
so rolling luggage, which I never check, plus carrying
other things, putting bags in over head compartments,
driving strange cars all takes toll on my neck and shoulders.
Yoga for me focuses on those areas to make these tasks
more manageable. Plus, when
I am not able to go to a class I can practice the poses
in my hotel room—it truly goes with you anywhere
once you learn it. I’ve always got Yoga.”
When
beginning a Yoga practice, the guidance of a qualified,
compassionate teacher can be very valuable. Yoga classes
are easily found in most every community. Check your local
online resources and phonebooks for Yoga studios; many
gyms and community centers also offer classes. For
a style of Yoga that is most likely to address the stress
relief, look for a Hatha, Gentle, or Restorative class.
Be sure to inform your teacher of any health concerns
you may have. Take some time for yourself; relax, renew
and revive with the ancient art of Yoga!
Cyndi
Bulka has been practicing Yoga for nearly 20 years and teaching for
more than 10. She opened Moving Mantra Yoga Studio in 1999 to share
with others her eclectic approach to Hatha Yoga, focusing on organic
movement and gentle unfolding from the “inside-out.” 
As
a teacher Cyndi shares her wisdom with students in a manner that is
inviting and simple to comprehend. With extensive experience in the
field of wellness, her knowledge of anatomy, injury and recovery aids
in her ability to help students balance the therapeutic and spiritual
benefits of a continuing Yoga practice.