‘Twas the time at the Yuletide,
and in the yoga place,
not a muscle was moving, it was filled with grace.
The mats were lined up, on the floor with care,
in hopes that sweet relaxation would soon be there.
The students relaxed, all snug on their mats,
while life hurried by, like crazy cats.
Everybody began moving, this way and that.
“Now Tadasana! Now Chandrasana! Virabhadrasana & Bridge!
On Cobra! On Bow! On Locust and Fish!
To the top of your head! And the bottom of your heart!
Now breathe away! Breathe away!
And please don’t fart!”
When up in my brain there arose such a clatter,
I fell out of my posture, to worsen the matter,
When what to my wandering mind should appear,
but a big plate of chocolate, and a six-pack of cheer!
for your central nervous system to function normally. Without enough, your nerves become frayed. If you consistently eat well-balanced meals, you can fortify your system giving you the nourishment to guard against the harmful effects of stress.
of how you respond to tension and stress in your life and begin to make adjustments. Are you responding appropriately? Could you be over-reacting? Is it possible to avoid or change a situation that causes you anxiety? By improving your awareness and improving how you react to stress, it might be possible to avoid some of your headaches, stomachaches and other problems. Try laughing. Laughter is like internal jogging. It aids digestion and improves alertness and productivity by sending blood and oxygen to your brain and increases the production of the body’s catecholamines.
tennis, watching a movie) true relaxation is different. It involves giving yourself an honest break from activity and excess stimulation. Breathing deeply, smoothly, slowly and from the diaphragm is relaxing since it too sends a fresh supply of blood to the brain and throughout the body. It oxygenates your system and even slows down the heartbeat.
EXERCISE: When under stress, there is an increase of adrenalin in the system as part of the flight or fight response, which can drain you of energy if not effectively released. Exercise regularly to work stresses off positively. This can improve your productivity and increase your energy. Be sure to choose physical activity that you enjoy.
