yoga and the art of relaxationBy Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

One of the most unappreciated benefits of Hatha Yoga is relaxation. Students become unsettled mentally, physically, and emotionally at the thought of relaxing. Some students want to leave class, while others think: “I just don’t have time for relaxation.” Believe me, anyone who thinks they have no time to relax has more need to unwind than most of us. To be in a state of high strung stimulation all the time is an invitation to mental and emotional disaster.

Among the many benefits of attending a class is enjoying a state of relaxation. If you have been practicing Yoga for a while, you might think this is a “no brainer.” Yet, you cannot expect someone who has never practiced Yoga before, to automatically know the benefits.

Relaxation, reduced stress, and being able to manage body weight are attractive reasons to begin and maintain a consistent practice. However, let’s take a closer look at the benefits of relaxation.

When you think about relaxation, what picture do you see in your mind? Most people would envision a vacation, when thinking about a state of relaxation. When should you take a vacation? Most people have created a vacation deficit and devote their lives to their career.

I have attended enough funerals and wakes to hear more than one widow state, “We were planning a dream vacation next year.” This is a sad state of affairs, when married couples do not spend quality time on vacation, but will work “their fingers to the bone” at multiple jobs.

Why do people want to go on vacation? The reason people want a vacation is to relax the mind and see new sites. Yoga teachers cannot promise you will see new sites in their studios, but you can be guaranteed to feel better than when you initially entered your class.

Yoga classes help students to lower their stress levels, and they are much more affordable than a vacation. Therefore, Yogic methods increase the quality of life, until you are in a better position to take time off from work, and enjoy a dream vacation.

© Copyright 2008 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

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