Combating Stress with Yoga and Meditation

Stress has become a universal word which is being used by just about any one, everywhere we go. In the course of this article, we will see the various causes and effects of stress and a simple, yet effective way to tackle this menace with the power of Yoga and Meditation.

The medical science describes stress as a specific response of the body to all non specific demands – physical, psychological, threatened or actual – the response being the secretion of ACTH and CORTISOL (these are two stress induced hormones). Secretion of two other hormones stimulated by stress is adrenalin and noradrenalin.

A more practical definition of stress may be put as “when the problem presented by everyday life exceeds your resources for coping with them you feel stressed”.

Reasons or causes of stress.

1.     Societal problems

2.     Family problems

3.     Work overload

4.     Political Problems

5.     Ecological and environmental factors

6.     Physical and psychological problems

7.     Problems created due to changes in moral values of the society

8.     Economic Factors

9.     Lack of Emotional Support from closed ones

10.   Information overload

11.   Time overload

12.     Financial Problems

13.    Self Ego

14.     Lack of Spirituality

Modern science, till some years ago, did not attribute stress to the creation of diseases. In the last few decades, a series of epidemiological studies and observations have proved that some very common diseases are a direct result of excessive stress. They are now grouped as psychosomatic diseases. A list of these common diseases is as follows.

1.     High Blood Pressure

2.     Angina or Chest Pain

3.     Heart Attacks

4.     Headache

5.     Migraine

6.     Backache

7.     Shoulder ache

8.     Spondylitis

9.     Allergies

10.  Asthma

11. Chronic fatigue and lethargy

12.   Anxiety

13.    Insomnia

14.  Depression

15.  Irritable bowel syndrome

16.    Menstrual irregularities in women

Do you suffer from any of them?
Be honest with yourself and try to find out the roof cause of the problems. This will help you to clearly define a solution.

Yoga and meditation are wonderful tools to combat from stress and stress related disorders.Yoga is the philosophical doctrine developed in India at 500 B.C. It brings about the right interaction, combination, co ordination of the mind and body.

According to Patanjali (the father of yoga), yoga is

·         Union between Prana (Vital Force ) and MahaShakti (Universal energy)

·         Stopping the fluctuation of consciousness (Chitta)

·         Achievement of inner equilibrium

·         It is the skill of work (Karmashu kaushalyam)

Eight limbs of Yoga according to Rishi Patanjali

• Yam –Restraint and Control
• Niyam-observation and self discipline
• Asana-Physical Postures
• Pranayam-Breathing techniques
• Pratyahar-Food habits
• Dharna-Concentration
• Dhyan-Flow of concentration, meditation
• Samadhi-state of ultimate consciousness

Scientifically proven benefits of Meditation

• Controls Blood Pressure
• Increases cardiovascular Capacity
• Increases Breathing Speed
• Controls the Temperature of the body
• Controls the rate of Metabolism in body
• Controls the levels of Cholesterol in blood
• Controls Blood Sugar

During meditation the electromagnetic waves produced by the brain are measured by Electroencephalography (EEG) machine and it shows Alpha waves. If a person is in deep stress the EEG machine records Beta and Delta waves.

Basic Yoga Postures

The secret to health and happiness lies deep within every human. According to the Art of Living Foundation yoga is the science of discovering one's own self - the very source of pure consciousness, peace and bliss. Everyone knows that we don't feel good and we get stressed when there is disharmony in our lives, when our bodies are tired and our busy minds constantly chatter and judge. Through the discipline of Yoga we become more aware of ourselves by doing simple postures, breathing techniques, meditation, and relaxation to rejuvenate the body and quite the mind. It is in this manner that we cultivate harmony in ourselves.

Here is the small video which will help one to start doing yoga .

Yoga for Improved Inter personal relationship

“No Man is an island”. Each and every one of us is by default - by birth and death becomes a part of a big institution called “Planet”.  A butterfly flapping, a bee swarming, fishes migrating, etc. everything has an effect on everything else. And specifically, the human behaviour has more visible effects. Interpersonal relationship forms a premier aspect of human behaviour. At office or at home, at a club or at congregation we are constantly communicating – thus, constantly portraying our ideas/ideals/perception to others. And this directly reflects on your relationship with an individual or a group –friend, leader, tutor or coach.
In this chaotic network of “perceiving and being perceived”, one often gets caught up in a struggle between the “self” and “image of the self” often ending up with some tight strings – guilt, anger, violence, jealousy, etc. Growing up, it only gets worse. But, growing wiser, can loosen and in many instances can straighten (read: strengthen) the bond.

The teachings of Yoga help one create harmony with the self and with the surroundings, thus creating a peaceful, serene atmosphere for a “perfect” two-way communication to take place. Yoga thus is not just, breathing in, breathing out, and stretching the arms and legs – but a way of life. A two-way Communication can be complete only if the prejudices are disowned and when one is free from mental and emotional blocks. The key lies with the “teachings of Yoga” which can unlock the barrier that hides the sanctity of any relationship - where there is honesty, non-violence, truth, and respect for either.

The teachings of Yoga begin and end with - Yoga chitta Viritti Niroda. Chitta – mind, Viritti –activities or manifestations of mind. Niroda – cessation. Yoga happens when mental/ mind field and activity field stops to exist and merges to infinite existence. Though it seems an alienated concept, implementing it in life could bring prosperity and peace.
Viritti – activity – begins with a thought, which grows in to a tornado within the mind and manifests in our “actions”. These actions create “our” reality – which is the chaises for the rest of the world to interact with us. For example, a doctor interacts with patients and nurses and not an archaeologist or a geologist. In the similar way, the positive/negative thoughts also get translated in to our actions, creating such kind of environments not only for us but for others too. Now, with the knowledge that – our thoughts create our reality – we can not only change “our” reality for good, but understand other’s reality too. So, instead of “reacting” we will start “responding” more to situations and people.

Imagine what a world it would be people acted on their logic and instinct rather than on their emotion and sensation?  Right from, choosing a leader, community services, expressing the freedom of speech, inclusive decision making, peaceful resolution of problems, transparency, and many more which are essential aspects of any great society or relationship gets integrated to the values of one’s life.