What are some yoga tips for managing anxiety and cultivating positive energy?

Question

Finding ways to handle stress can be difficult. Turning negative energy into something positive is ideal, so what are some yoga practices that can help accomplish this?

Answer 1

Yoga for Anxiety

Recent medical studies have shown that a regular practice of yoga and meditation is effective at lowering levels of anxiety.

Excessive anxiety can be alleviated through a slow, gentle yoga practice focusing on postures that calm the heart and the mind, balance the emotions, and release body tension.

Pranayama (yogic breathing) and meditation will also be helpful to calm the mind and body, and to reduce stress and negative thinking.

Physical sensations alone are not the core of the illness. Fearful thoughts, unpleasant emotions, avoidant behaviors, disturbing sensations, and deteriorating relationships all collude with one another to maintain panic. Thoughts such as the fear of dying or of having a mental breakdown are common. Even mild anxiety can trigger an attack, and any disturbing emotion can be interpreted as a precursor to full-fledged panic.

Yoga tells us that before searching for a cure it is important to look deeply into the nature and causes of illness. It is also important to get an idea of how things will be when symptoms have been removed, because otherwise we may have illusions about what recovery will be like. For example, eliminating anxiety is not the outcome of treatment for panic-the outcome is the ability to manage anxious feelings.

Yoga training can be particularly useful here, for yoga teaches us how to interact with the nervous system. If we want to soothe and strengthen it, we need to learn deep, relaxed yogic breathing. Regardless of the pathways of arousal, breathing is the language of nervous system balance and control.

Practicing yoga is a good way to learn breathing skills, for it is a gradual process, often needing considerable support over a period of time. Yoga teachers quickly recognize when a student is having trouble (as is often the case with panickers), and they know a wide variety of alternate practices that will help the student master breathing skills.

Yoga psychology also suggests many techniques for resolving conflicts, including acknowledging and accepting the conflict in all its depth; recognizing the need for some kind of change; resisting the inclination to act out feelings or to do nothing; exploring alternatives; communicating with others without blaming them; accepting feedback from others; using discrimination in accepting or rejecting alternatives; surrendering to necessary losses; acting with determination; accepting outcomes with equanimity; working calmly on a problem even if a negative outcome, or no outcome, seems inevitable; and letting intuition suggest new possibilities.

These strategies are derived from what in yoga are called the yamas and niyamas-the attitudes toward life that are the basis of all yoga practices.

Trianga Mukhaikapada Paschimottanasana :

Trianga means three limbs or parts thereof. In this posture the three parts are the feet, knees and the buttocks. Mukhaikapada corresponds to the face touching one leg. In Paschimottanasana the back of the whole body is intensely stretched.

Technique :

Sit on the floor with the legs stretched straight in the front.

Bend the right leg at the knee and move the right foot back. Place the right foot at the side of the right hip joint, keep the toes pointing back and rest them on the floor. The inner side of the right calf will touch the outer side of the right thigh.

Balance in this position throwing the weight of the body on the bent knee. In the beginning body tilts to the side of the outstretched leg, and the foot of the outstretched leg also tilts outwards. Learn to balance in this position, keeping the foot and toes stretched and pointing forward.

Now hold the left foot with both the palms, gripping the sides of the sole if you can then extend the trunk forward and hook the wrists round the outstretched left foot. Take two deep breaths.

Join the knees, exhale and bend forward. Rest first the forehead, then the nose next the lips and ultimately the chin of the left knee. To achieve this widen the elbows and push the trunk forward with an exhalation.

Do not rest the left elbow on the floor. In the beginning one looses the balance and topples over to the side of the extended leg. The trunk should therefore be slightly bent towards the side of the bent leg and the weight of the body should be taken by the bent knee.

Stay in this position from half a minute to a minute, breathing evenly.

Inhale, raise the head and trunk, release the hands, straighten the right leg and come to the position.

Repeat the pose on the other side, keeping the right leg stretched out on the ground, bending the left knee and placing the left foot by the left hip joint. Stay for the same length of the time on both the sides.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

I see a lot of people just copied and pasted answers from the net, so I'm not sure how well my answer will fare against these, but I have been studying Yoga for some time now and have gone through many different phases of understanding.
We often hear that "breathing" will relax us but we are often given a very unclear understanding on just how to breathe to give us a sense of calm, yet powerful, energy.
I find that focusing on the outbreath, while pushing the diaphram inward (i.e. pushing your belly in so that you can aid in the exhale) and gently allowing your body to take the inhale in on it's own, kinda like a wave getting pushed onto the shore but gently getting swayed to its depths, works wonders (woo, talk about run on sentences lol). Another important step when doing this kind of relaxed breathing is to slightly arch your back on the inhale and flatten your spine, ever so gently, on the exhale. The arch is active while the straightening is just letting go to a natural position.
Learn to bring this kind of concious breathing with you wherever you go. If you forget to do it, that's not a problem. But at the very least make time in your day, even if it's only for 30 seconds, to watch and guide your breath. You can do this at the office, at the construction site or at home while looking out the window. Since this is a Yoga question, you can obviously also do it while in a yoga pose. Find a yoga pose that is a bit challenging for you, but not overly so, and sit in it for a while. Allow yourself to get lost in the pose and keep your breathing easy and flowing. The pose initself becomes a meditation. But as I mentioned, it can be done anywhere at any time.

I hope this helps. Good luck.

Answer 4

Remember that Yoga is a complete system of cleansing, diet and nutrition, not just asanas.

Practice cleansing the nose with nasal douches as recommended and described by Andre Van Lysbeth in his excellent book, "Yoga Self Taught."

Don't forget that nauli invigorates the internal organs and stimulates the immune system.

Also, always remember that Hatha Yoga ( the physical practices commonly associated with Yoga et al) are really just to prepare the mind and body for meditation. Meditation is the process by which the mind is cleansed relaxed, refreshed and energized, in order to reach Yoga's ultimate goals.

The physicals postures of Hatha yoga are great and important, but remember that the Sun Salutation is very vigorous too. Although it does not fatigue the body the way calisthenics or aerobics do, it definitely provides many the same cardio benefits.

The secret to managing stress or anxiety and reestablishing positive balance through yoga is to realize; Yoga cleans and exercises the entire person, not just the physical body. Study and practice the other wonderful techniques beside just the postures.

Especially practice meditation to relieve mental anxiety. Nothing is more natural, less expensive or more valuable!

Answer 5

In yoga, there are so many tips that you will not have any time left for doing another thing in life, if you go on doing them for managing anxiety and cultivating positive energy. You will control anxiety and cultivate positive energy. But, to do what? You will practically left with no time to do anything else.
So, here is the simple exercise. Meditate for 15 minutes. It is not difficult. Close your eyes and sit in a silent room. Then do Pranayama for 15 minutes. That should do the trick for you.

Answer 6

Your question is very interesting and at the same time kind of answers itself. You have recognised that Yoga can help you with stress release. I am personally involved with doing meditation/pranayam (breathing) practises sonce more than 10 years. So I can vouch that yes it works. I have experienced and seen the effects of doing the practise regularly. The one which I follow is know as the "Art of Living".
Here thay not only teach you meditation/pranayam/yoga but they also tell you basic principals to keep yourself happy in most stressfull situations.
One reader has answered to keep the negetive people away from you --- this in most cases is not in your hands. So we need to learn to how convert the negetive to positive.
Please make sure that if you are going to learn to do yoga you must find a qualified teacher for you. It may seem simple to see the pictures and try to practise them and it may seem harmful but the basic underlying principal of any Indian teachings is that you MUST HAVE A GURU(teacher) because if you do something slightly wrong(and yes chances are very high) you might end up hurting yourself.
Try the artofliving website --- i have done almost all the courses they offer. They were also showing it on CNN sometime back that it has been proven to take out people from depression. I have also heard it directly from people who were going through depression and after doing this course they were healed. I do not have the link of the TV news otherwise I would have posted it.
There are other wonderfull meditation techniques out there like Vipashyana, Kriayoga etc - I havent tried any of these. Bottomline is any yoga/meditation you try should work to a lessor or greator extent...it is proven....
Happy Meditating! and I hope this helps.

Answer 7

Hello,

YOGA is a discipline that takes many forms, mentally and physically.

However, if you are contemplating physical YOGA like exercises. Then consulting with a certified YOGA practitioner would be wise.

Secondly, if you are contemplating doing MIND YOGA, that too requires some guidance. But generally, if you can sit still for some time. Say about 15 minutes at least, and try not to think about anything in that time.

This is the first stage for the practice of RAG YOGA, or Mind Meditation.

It takes some consistent practice, but in time you will be able to gain some benefit from it.

This aspect of YOGA (I find), helps greatly to alleviate stress, and worrisome thoughts.

BringBaka.
NYC.

Answer 8

Are Yoga, Good Luck, and Positive Energy, connected? In one word, the answer is: Absolutely! Yoga creates positive energy, and positive thinking, within your mind. If you practice Yoga, you will develop a passion for life. Due to continuous Yoga practice, you look forward to each breath of fresh air and each morning’s bird song.

When you make profound, positive changes in life, your self-image will also change, and you will notice your self-confidence “comes to light.” When you have a positive view of yourself, this will become your positive outlook on life. Your view has changed because of the changes within you.

# The time most suitable for Yoga is in the morning before breakfast when the mind is calm and fresh and the movements can be done with ease and vitality.
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The most important things you'll need to get started - as they say - are a big heart and a small ego.
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A person must seek a place of quietude, which is well ventilated, free from dust, insects, unpleasant smell, draught, and moisture. There should be no distraction whatsoever.
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You must empty your bowels and bladder, clean your nostrils and throat of all mucus, consume a glass of lukewarm water and then begin the exercises after 15 minutes.
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Always remember that you should begin with the easy postures and then proceed to the difficult ones. One must follow the graded steps of Yoga.
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In the beginning, all movements should be practiced lightly and you must cease to go further if fatigue shows.
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Yoga must pep up and not impart weariness and despondency.
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Periods of relaxation are advisable if a particular exercise proves to be tiring.
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Yoga trainers recommend a balanced diet (sattwik). There should be an interval of 4 hours between meals.

Answer 9

There are several wonderful yogic exercises for anxiety management and charging the body with positive vibes. A good yoga teacher could guide you with a suitable regimen and program for maximum benefit. Regular practice is the key to success.

Here are three simple and easy to follow tips:

Breathing:
1. Find a quiet place and sit or stand and breath deeply closing your eyes.
a) Empty your lungs and hold.
b) Inhale slowly and fill the lungs. Hold - as long as possible, comfortably.
c) Slowly exhale. After pushing out all air, stay in that position - as long as possible, comfortably.

Repeat. About ten rounds. This simple exercise can be done at any time, and repeated any number of times.

Meditation
Sit in a quiet place - ideally early morning before sunrise, facing the sun.

Close your eyes and do the breathing exercise. Concentrate only on your breathing - shut your mind off from everything else (that's tough, but give it a honest shot!). Fill your mind with pleasent thoughts.

Savasana or resting posture
a) Lie on flat surface - with legs and arms spread a bit. Your head, shoulders, back, butts, legs should make contact with the surface. Relax.
b) Contract the body - slowly, and gradually tighten muscles starting from the toes and working up to the head. When all the whole body's muscles are tight, taut, hold your breath momentarily. (Comfortably. This is not for hypertensive or cardiac patients). Then exhaling, relax all the muscles. Relax the body, breathing gently. Relax the mind, filling it with pleasant thoughts. Relax. Relax. Relax.
c) When the body and mind are relaxed, you'll get a nice, light feeling, a sense of well-being, calmness. Enjoy the moment. Try to carry that feeling all day, at all times.

Other suggestions:

a)Vigorously exercise - walk, jog, swim (excellent) or any sport that works up a sweat. A one-hour healthy workout is marvelous to charge the body and mind with positive energy.

b)Cut out or cut back on: Coffee/caffeinated products, spicy/fried food, tobacco, alcohol & other drugs.

c)Drink plenty of water - specially early morning, chug-a-lug 3-4 glasses first thing in the morning even before brushing your teeth. Then do the breathing exercise and meditation. Plan to drink about 4-5 litres of water in a day. Stop drinking water - about 2 - 3 hours before bed - so you don't interrupt sleep to hit the toilet.

d)Eat fruit, leafy and other veggies, whole wheat - avoid bakery lard.

e)Get a good night's rest. Avoid TV or the PC atleast 2 hours before bedding down. Read before hitting the sack.

f)Avoid negative, cranky people. Cultivate cheerful and positive people ... and things. Try to be calm - cool and collected at all times.

Answer 10

There are 5 religions; they involve either the hands, feet, eyes, chest, or brain.

Most people that deal with negativity are involving the timelessness of their role in the culture they live in. This is involving a type of feeling in the hands that most mystics are just now figuring out is involved with the operation of circumstantiation- which is ideal for a role in a culture only.

there are 9 roles and I'll list some ideas that go w/ them
Perfection - The Messiah (never bothers people)
Sincerity - Pandora (somehow very lucky)
Change - Prometheus (proves to all existentialism)
Awe - Perspecter (views life in a way that's unique)
Turmoil - Phoenix (a poet w/ resistance to corruption)
Pity - Questioner (all he encounters self-realize)
Remorse - Cassanova (rubs it in everyone's face)
Frustration - Harbinger (secretly plants seeds in a culture)
Death - Savior (SUPER famous guy that is anti-christ)

There is another 9 though that have abilities (charged in feet)
Philosophy- channels God (Christ was this not messiah!)
Education- can astral project
Technology- can summon life-forms
Opinion- can bless
Entertainment- can catalyze
Law- can cast judgment
Resources- can tap
Business- can merge
Politics- can govern

- The way magic works -
There's a generation that technically is having a spectrum of 9 but really they all are just magicians. They move reality through their 2 regular eyes and third eye exactifying the presence and how it moves, thus allowing it to move the way it fits in with the reality of the magic and time process itself. There's a prime series x equation that involves an ellipse merging w/ a circle. The ellipse is having diameters of 10 and 1 as its foci, with 7 the distance in b/w the foci. The ellipse and the circle are graphed in real time and the pressure needed to merge is always prime of series diameter of the circle. It's a 2-d way of looking at time that allows for a 3-d way that will be revealed when mankind is ready to abandon endless articulation.

-Witchcraft-
This uses the chest. The lungs are like the mental pattern. There are 12 jobs, 12 collections you could say. 7 stages. Know, Trust, Love, Embrace, Use, Help, Thank. To figure out the kinds of powers I'll give you this method: there are 6 energies: anti-matter, velocity, rotation, magnetism, gravity, matter. The embodiment and the mentality of local or non-local mastery lends the 6x4 = 24, where 12 are local gifts and 12 are non-local phenomena. [edited suggestion: Metamorphosis, Alchemy, Teleportation, Cloaking, Scanning, Prophecy, Imagining, Telekinesis, Time-travel, Time-freezing, Regeneration, Healing]

-God-
The best for last :). Peace in the mind is and will have always one hundred thousand moments for the soul that goes to this ascension. Those 6 energies from before have creation / control / manipulation / silencing. Ashan, Hoova, Altea, Aragon.. these are some of the different feelings to the one feeling that is God- Peace. My advice is eke out your own horizon and be peacefully treasuring these moments for all eternity. Amen... Some concepts to ponder are.. Hypnosis, Telepathy, Psyche, Trance, Psychology, Attention, Expression, Complacency, Flirtation, Gesture, Flow, Respect, Friendliness, Formality, Charm, Cool, Capacity, Meaning, Language, Identification, Charity, Network, Utility, Integrity. Break these into groups of 4, the outer 2 make a fact of life the inner 2 make another fact of life. there are other groupings that make other facts of life but only the 12 facts you get (intelligence for example is the fact of meaning/language) souls or borrowed feelings from God. The real idea behind this all is someone goes through all thousands of moments and nobody w/in a 50 thousand light year radius can harbor war-mindedness at all. Hope this helps those of you who feel your life is a movie in someone else's screen.

Answer 11

Yoga is a great way to relieve stress, becoming more popular by time in America nowadays. One thing that people should be aware of is that there are simpler ways to relieve your stress. It isn't so difficult to find relief of your stress when you begin asking, "What is it that is causing my stress?" Once you can narrow down these candidates, try to find ways to either avoid the candidates, reduce the time you must be around the stress factors, or find new perspectives and learn to enjoy the activities that aile you. If this does not work, try doing things that YOU enjoy more, to help your mind release that "negative energy"

Thank you for your question,
Paul