Yoga Teacher Training Forum

For sufferers of chronic stress, finding ways to cope with this exhausting condition can become an all-consuming task. When stress is at its peak performing even the simplest of tasks can be overwhelming. Many are turning to yoga schools to practice a method for coping with this condition.

The idea of yoga training as a treatment for stress is a bit misguided. Yoga is far more than a simple band aid that covers the underlying problems that chronic stress causes. Properly practiced, yoga is a means for completely eliminating stress and all of its causes.

Chronic stress can flare up at any time. Controlling these small outbreaks prevents the chance of bigger outbreaks following. The yogic cure for stress is based around the concept of taking the inactive stressful mindset and replacing it with a calm and focused one. One yogic method of putting out these small stress fires is that of controlled breathing.

At the onset of stress take regular controlled breaths. Continue to focus on slowly inhaling and exhaling, ignoring everything else but the task of taking deep filling breaths. Continue in this manner until the current stress episode is over.

Breath control before a stressful episode can prevent an attack of stress before one occurs. In order to do this, practice controlled breathing throughout the day. Take breaks at regular intervals and focus only on the quality of the breaths that you take.

Yogic meditation and introspection allows individuals to focus not on stress, but on the causes of stress. Stress thrives in a chaotic mind. By planning responses well in advance of stressful events, the mind is given options when stress arrives.

Another yoga training practice, the mantra, can also be used to eliminate stress. The mantra has its origins in the earliest yogic traditions, and has been used to combat stress for thousands of years. The mantra is a simple phrase that can be repeated slowly during times of stress. As with breath control techniques, the mantra can be relied upon at any time.

A number of asanas can be used to reduce stress. Each of these postures has its own merits. During times of stress the best postures to use are the ones that can be quickly assumed and which do not require extensive stretching or preparation.

The yogic mindset is one of self examination. By studying the causes of stress and its triggers, victims of chronic stress can use yogic techniques to overcome it. With regular practice chronic stress can be managed, and ultimately eliminated.