Stress Release
Are you overeating, or undereating; zoning out for hours in front of the T.V. or the computer; withdrawing from friends, family or activities; using pills or drugs to relax; sleeping too much or procrastinating; lashing out in angry outbursts, or filling up every minute of the day to avoid facing problems? Yes, you got it…stressed out…The shadow aspect of serenity that every urban dweller uses to sum up his daily complaints. It seems there is nothing we can do about stress. The bills won’t stop piling, the deadlines will have to be met, the career or family responsibilities will always be demanding. And yet stress is not a hormone produced in the body, nor a mental fluid released in space, it is our self-created fear of not being able to meet the high expectations of an increasingly competitive and cut-throat society. And since we create stress, we are the ones to manage it. There is no “one-size-fits-all” solution for managing it, no single method works for everyone or in every situation. Perhaps, we won’t always be able to change our outside environment, but we can surely change our reaction to it. And that’s what the ancient practice of Yoga teaches us. From an outside perspective managing stress is all about taking charge of your thoughts, emotions, schedule and the way you deal with problems. From an inner perspective it is about eradicating the stress cause, which in most cases comes down to “fear.”
Probably the best way to chase away fear is to invite it, and make friends with it. Once we’ve faced fear, we are no longer avoiding it. We then realize that nothing is really ever wrong. This perceptual shift allows us to put things into perspective, and serenely identify the sources of stress in our life, taking a close look at our habits, attitude, lifestyle and imaginary excuses. This neutral and non-judgmental mind-frame nurtures acceptance and adaptability and indicates the need to alter an attitude or release harmful tendencies from our life. Physically most of the residual angst due to stress harbors in the hip joints. They are the natural landfills where unresolved emotions get dumped subconsciously. Tightness in the hips results in an inability to express oneself creatively, and an unwillingness to face the challenges in life as opportunities for growth and renewal. As a consequence our thinking process becomes more rigid and linear and we are unable to adapt to varying conditions and sudden changes. We begin to avoid situations, encounters or circumstances that aggravate our fears and trigger excessive stress. Instead of feeding stress in Yoga we have the rare chance to not generate it anymore. A well-structured hip-opening routine will always help you to become nimble in body and mind, flexible at reframing problems, and happy to express your feeling instead of bottling them up. Physiologically, hip-openers promote deep myo-fascial release and help boost the secretion of serotonin – the hormone of happiness and well-being. Spiritually, they invite forgiveness and compassion. As a result, we can easily focus on the positive, look at the upside, adjust our standards and become aware that nurturing ourselves is a necessity not a luxury.
Instead of indulging in some decadent chocolate to de-stress, try this delicious cocktail of hip openers…Yammi….
Advanced Hip Opening Yogea Routine – Stress Release
This Yogea sequence targets the hip flexors as it helps release clogged energy in the joints due to unresolved fear, tension or worry. Opening the hip joints encourages us to adapt to changing circumstances and situations. Physically, the stretching of the hips creates more space in the lower abdomen, soothes lower back-pain and loosens up tight hamstrings. Lubricating the hip-joints boosts synovial fluid production and sheaths the labrum and cartilogenous fibers, aiding tear and wear. Hip openers are also part of any prevention care therapy as they eliminate lower back pain, promoting an elongated and healthy spine, with an expanded range of motion. Energetically, the hip joints are related to the throat center and our ability to unleash creative energy, and build our visions. As we free the hips we liberate our voice and original expression and improve our ability to speak eloquently, assertively and truthfully.
Leave a Reply