| Of all the concepts you will ever learn in a Yoga class, | | | | stress for optimum performance in life. For some |
| stress management workshop, or a combination of | | | | people stress is "life force." In Yoga, we think of prana |
| both, embracing stress seems to be the most difficult. | | | | as life force, but for those who never heard of prana, |
| Yet, we can improve our lives exponentially by | | | | stress is a driving force that sends people toward |
| accepting stress as a friend. | | | | success or failure. |
| If you have learned how to cope with stress through | | | | Without stress, there would be no excitement in life. |
| pranayama (Yogic breathing techniques), asana (Yoga | | | | People line up for coffee to experience a caffeine jolt, |
| postures), exercises, meditation, relaxation, affirmations, | | | | just to get a taste of manageable stress. In Hatha |
| and many more techniques, you have all of the tools | | | | Yoga, we often perform Sun Salutations, in the |
| to peacefully co-exist with stressful situations, which | | | | morning, to get the blood pumping; but we also take |
| arise during the course of a day. | | | | our minds and bodies to manageable stress levels in |
| You may understand Santosha (contentment and | | | | the process. |
| acceptance), but you are still puzzled by this idea of | | | | As a result of observing the benefits of moderate |
| embracing stress, because you see stress as an | | | | stimulation to the body and mind, please try to view |
| enemy of good health. It is true that excessive or | | | | stress as a "spice of life." Too much stress puts your |
| chronic stress is the cause of many ailments, diseases, | | | | health at risk and can damage your vital organs. On |
| and death, so how can I ask you to embrace it? | | | | the other hand, if life has no challenges, it becomes a |
| Once you have managed to reduce your stress levels, | | | | very dull experience. The answer is a moderate |
| with Yoga's stress management techniques, you have | | | | lifestyle. |
| taken a positive step toward good health. At this point, | | | | We really have no choice, if we want to live the best |
| take a closer look at stress to see it for what it really | | | | quality life. Extremes, of all kinds, tend to prematurely |
| is. Stress is a destroyer of health, but it can also be the | | | | age us. Yogic philosophy is founded upon moderation |
| creator of innovation. | | | | in one's lifestyle. There should never be extremes in |
| You see, some of us need manageable amounts of | | | | the Yogic diet, asana, pranayama, or anything else. |