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Posted on Tuesday, April 19, 2011 11:33 AM
This modern world does love packaging. I told a friend today that the the Secret is out! The Secret being the amazing miracle of correct breathing. It has finally reached the modern world, and even newspapers are writing colums on this age old tradition of stress management. It is being called all sorts of different things, with different names and different techniques associated with the teachings, but when it comes down to it...it is the Essential Breath, and to soothe the body and mind it takes practice and patience. It can be like a new awakening for those learning how Self help has been with them all the time...but this knowledge is only good if you know it! A bit like that gameshow, 'Who want to be a Millionaire?' ...its only easy if you know the answer. And the more the answer to Stress management spreads, the better our thought processes and understanding as we move into life will be. It is great to see the packaging of specific breathing techniques magnificent claims of healing for many various ailment to name a few: coughing, wheezing, breathlessness, post nasal drip, recurrent colds and chest infections, stress, anxiety, brain fog, panic attacks, headaches, racing mind, tiredness....the list is endless to be honest. Yes indeed! Just as all the modern packaging says...physical ailments can be alleviated if not reversed (but leaving some samskara in place) with better breathing and awareness. In Ayurveda and Yoga this has been said, but the most important fact and the most difficult to develop is that it requires consistent daily practice. I do like reading packaging, and often wonder about the claims placed on some...but I trust the claims on breathing practices, but do be wary....Ayurveda and Yoga can see that some breathing practices are too harsh and forceful for certain body types, and will create stress rather than relieve it. With Ayurveda it is not always about the short term result, but there is the long term effect as well, so you may be well able to practice a restrictive breathing practice for 3 weeks, and feel much benefit. But the long term effect may be knocking your nervous system into a state of shock or distress.  So if you have been taught a new breathing practice and feel that it has some benefit, but you cannot maximize upon it, then find a teacher who understands certain body types require certain breathing balance too. There can be a fine line between Stress management and Stress mis-managed. Stress management is only a breath away. Exhale, and May we all be well. |
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Marie Mills: Posted on Thursday, December 16, 2010 6:22 PM
From Stress symptoms, to Stress Management, we continue with this blog.... What is the alternative to Control, the seed of managing our stress? Using familiar tools in Yoga and Meditation, but they are used in many aspects of stress relief; Observation and non-judgement of the overriding factoral cause. The main factors of acute stress symptoms, whether from work stress, relationship difficulties or internalised thoughts, are often most evident in the prominent feeling, physical sensation or the outstanding forceful thought in that moment. If we work hard to bring mindfulness, awareness and correct breathing into daily life, we are creating a new mental pattern to assist us in clear thinking, to create better focus, to exam and prioritise without analysing or judgement. These simple practices are a lifelong resource, that can be drawn upon at all stages of our life, whether 12 years to 82. There are various forms and techniques to pull into action at this point, all would be beneficial in creating a systematic Stress relief toolbox. Not the least of these would be Meditation, Yoga, EFT, Tai Chi, Mantra work. And for our young children, they are open to and very aware of the stress levels of parents, siblings, family, school and carers. Teenagers are most prone to the flux of Stress and its devastating effects. Most upsetting is that they can carry a cycle of unattended stress related symptoms into their adult life if they do not have the counteractive tools. It is an understatement to say that children and most especially teens, could benefit from simple breathing, awareness and relaxation techniques. From what I have seen Yoga, Imagery and Relaxation all have relavent tools that these age groups respond to in a most profound way, with the teachers, students and parents delighted with the results. To learn these relaxation skills is primary to bringing them into daily life. The most beneficial of all is to use them daily, and to learn just how to do that? (You can ofcourse contact Marie if you are at an acute phase.) But more information for another blog, another day...but for today, its time to smile, Blog done- phew, I hope you feel informed and a little more curious about what is available to make stress a catalyst to move into a new direction. Take the time, of 3 to 10 minutes 2 or 3 times a day to, Breathe, watch and Be. The next blog will be on the Ayurvedic view of Stress, Work related stress and how Yoga can help, pluw the benefit massage and meditation have on the functioning of the whole system- As Harry Potter might say 'Mischief Managed.' May you be Joy Full and Well, Marie |
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Posted on Thursday, December 16, 2010 6:17 PM
There is no doubt that Stress Management is popular these days. I think the phrase itself can present the idea that we could put everything that gives us 'Stress' in a shoe box, put it under the bed and when there is time or energy, take it out to look at what has been stored away. I can only speak from my own experience, and I consider Stress to be part and parcel of my life, and my children's. Personally I would love to compartmentalise my stress and leave it for a brief moment when I can 'manage' it better(as if!). Most of us do not even recognise we are living with stress, not as a shadow of our activities but, as an integral part of our functioning. You could even think of Stress as a moveable feast, one day we have it in abundance, the next it is just a memory. Indeed if stress is in our life as part of our daily function, is it possible to let it be a useful tool? If we were to do this, we need to change our thinking of how we act when stress is heightened, rather than the option to deal with it once it is in an 'Acute' phase and needs 'Management.' I do feel 'Management' implies a form of control that may be counterproductive. Wikipedia offers many definitions of 'manage', a few are : "to handle, direct, govern, or control in action or use." If you look closely, all the words to describe 'Manage' all are some form of 'contain.' And most of us know, that containment is a temporary measure, for all worms love to get out of the tins! But why would I say 'Stress management' could be counterproductive? I am speaking of the long term effect. If we only use Stress management as a short term solution. As if to put a plaster over the damage and to not tend to it on a daily basis. The plaster will certainly become ineffective in protecting the damaged site. In the end it may fall away and offer no benefit at all. The damaged area will be left open to new sources of depleting factors, and it will be easier to disrupt the weakened site, and harder to control the damage. The Next Blog is on the Alternative to Control May you be Stress free, Marie |
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