Humans frequently wonder why their emotions change from one moment to the next, especially curious yogis who want to practice the fundamentals of yoga (e.g., Patanjali's Yoga Sutra 1.2: yoga is the cessation of the modifications, or fluctuations, of the mind).
Prakrti, informally translated as nature or innate, fundamental substance comprised of three interrelated gunas, or energies, characteristics, or traits, demands a thorough investigation in the yoga philosophy. Rajas, Tamas, and Sattva, are the three Gunas.
Although the translations given here only scratch the surface of what each guna entails, here are some basic ideas:
- rajas encompass energy, activity, passion, agitation, and movement,
- tamas symbolize darkness, heaviness, laziness, stability, and materiality, and
- sattva embodies light, balance, harmony, awareness, and wellness.
Anger, As Interpreted in Yogic Theory
According to yoga doctrine, the dominant rajasic energy is said to be the cause of wrath. Rajasic energy is crucial since, without it, little would get done, and no action would be taken. However, a rajasic energy imbalance can result in aggressive behaviour, criticism, harshness, hostility, hatred, impatience, rage, resentment, violence, and several other negative and destructive manifestations of anger.
Why should one control your anger?
Anger triggers the essential flight-or-fight response. Your heart rate, breathing rate and blood pressure increase. When anger is 'recurrent and unmanaged', metabolic changes are set in motion that inevitably affect health and overall quality of life. Unmanaged anger can cause:
- heart disease
- stroke
- weak immunity
- skin problems
- insomnia
- high blood pressure
- digestive problems
- anxiety and depression
- migraines
- negative emotions
- complications in pre-existing health conditions
YOGA AND ANGER MANAGEMENT
Similar to trauma, anger is frequently retained in the body. Our bodies, brains, and hearts become poisoned when we persistently repress our emotions, and unprocessed emotional energy is present in our organs, muscles, and tissues.
Yoga is a fantastic approach to increasing our control over the most potent emotion and its influence on our life. Yoga is a discipline that everyone who wants to control their inner fire should include in their daily routine, whether combined with meditation and pranayama or practised alone.
Here is how I incorporated yoga into my lifestyle to reap the benefits of better mental and emotional wellbeing:
1. Svadhyaya – Studied Me in Situations Where I Felt Angry
I practised Svadhyaya, or self-study, to become aware of when I felt angry as the first step in controlling and dealing with anger. I observed the emotion at first, and only then could I begin to focus on the specifics. I kept in mind what made me angry and what I could alter.
I journaled my experience so I had a record of it and could look back on it and see trends. Eventually, observing and gathering data assisted me in problem-solving and coming up with fresh ideas.
2. Saucha – Practice Eating Clean to Release Anger and Balance Your Body From the Inside Out
I spent some time learning about my dosha and got a professional Ayurvedic consultation. I practised Saucha, or cleanliness, by engaging in a healthy and clean diet. It is obvious how significantly food influences our physical bodies. Thus, it is not surprising that food also hugely impacts our mental bodies.
Our bodies must work extra hard to detoxify and eliminate the unnatural chemicals from processed foods loaded with preservatives, additives, and pesticides. This causes us to feel agitated and restless. Additionally, some foods are too stimulating to the body and are rajasic.
Foods and stimulants like astringent spices, hot oils, coffee, chocolate, and animal and fish meat raise the body's temperature and rajasic energy, which is linked to an increase in emotions of arousal.
3. Isvara Pranidhana – Believe in Something Bigger Than Yourself
Anger can be a teaching tool and help us become aware of our shadow selves. "We can observe latent rage in terms of a lack of awareness, as well as a deliberate misconstruing of reality," the Dalai Lama previously said.
Anger can serve as a springboard to help us explore the depths of our psyche and forge relationships with something greater than whatever our mind may twist to fabricate as "reality" when it is treated with awareness, loving-kindness, and non-attachment. Anger can be transformed from a source of suffering into a source of learning and growth by engaging in Isvara Pranidhana, submitting to a higher power, or contemplating a higher power.
4. Asana – I Flipped the Situation On Its Head and Thought About Anger From a New Perspective
The body cannot be stiff and relaxed at the exact moment. Anger is rarely reduced by yelling at yourself to calm down. One simplest and most enjoyable way to let off steam is by performing your favourite, somewhat challenging yoga asana. When I attempted to balance in Bakasana (Crow Pose) or Sirsasana, it was difficult to be irritated (Headstand).
I spent a few seconds to a minute practising flipping upside down and saw how the environment changes.
1. The corpse pose (Savasana)
You assume the corpse stance by lying on your back with your arms by your sides and your palms up. Next, you begin to relax each area of your body slowly. Pay attention to your breathing while you carry out all of this. Take a long, belly breath. The ideal way to perform this pose is with your eyes closed or relaxed.
2. Released anger with Sheetali Pranayama (cooling breath)
Anger can be effectively managed by taking a cooling breath. You inhale gently through your mouth such that the breath passes through your rolled-up tongue (curling the corners inward if you can't roll your tongue). Next, shut your mouth and let out a breath via your nose. This routine is supposed to lessen rage and increase concentration.
3. Tried a half twist pose (Ardha Matsyendrasana)
Early Buddhist monks believed that this posture might wring out wrath. It stretches your spine and massages your interior organs. Sitting with both legs in front of you, you can strike a posture by bending one knee upwards and the other on the floor beneath the other. Then, as you stretch farther into the posture, you rotate your spine to face the side where the leg is up and lay your arm on the knee. Avoid pushing yourself. Relax a little if you're in pain.
4. Did a backbend or the Upward Bow pose (Urdhva Dhanurasana)
It has been demonstrated that this stance can help persons with angry or irritable personalities gain more self-assurance and control over their rage. Yoga offers a variety of back bending postures, but the Upward Bow is the most popular since it's what most people picture when they think of backbends. You might be good to master this pose with a certified yoga instructor since it is a bit more complicated than others.
Use caution when performing this position because it might strain the neck, which is dangerous for many people.
If this stance is challenging, try modifying it! Plow Pose with supports, as instructed by a certified instructor, offers the same benefit as without.
5. Did shoulder stand (Salamba Sarvangasana)
In the yoga position known as Sarvangasana, or shoulder stand, the entire body is supported by the shoulders. It is also a step in the yoga sequence known as Padma Sadhana. "Sarv" stands for everything, "anga" is a physical portion, and "asana" is a position. As the name suggests, Sarvangasana affects how each part of your body works. This pose, often known as the "Queen of asanas," is very helpful in preserving both physical and emotional health.
6. Pranayama – Breathing Techniques to Balance the Body and Release Anger-Induced Tension
Even if asana practice can be beneficial in some circumstances, there are still some occasions where a handstand alone is insufficient. To help relax the nervous system and release tension brought on by anger, I used pranayama techniques like Nadi Shodhana Pranayama (Alternate Nostril Breathing) during these periods.
But I chose exercises intelligently. As an illustration, Kapalbhati Pranayama (Skull Shining Breathing) promotes increased rajasic and fire energy.
CONCLUSION:
Our bodies, brains, and hearts become poisoned when we persistently repress our emotions. Unprocessed emotional energy is present in our organs, muscles, and tissues. Yoga and other physical therapies assist practitioners release stuck energy in a lasting and productive manner by moving it through the body.
Mr. Harish Singh Pawali aka Hari Pawali
Owner and Founder of Shree Hari Yoga School
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