RIGHT RELAXATION
RIGHT RELAXATION by Yogacharya Samita Rathor
“Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are.”
Thanks to our modern lifestyle that keeps the mind and muscles tense most of the time due to working conditions, exciting entertainments like movies, violence, sports etc and alcohol, drugs and loud music being used in our daily life.
Is relaxation merely a physical condition? When little or no energy is consumed by the body or mind it is a stage of real relaxation. Relaxation occurs when the body mind and spirit are at ease. Many have even forgotten that rest and relaxation are nature's way of recharging. Even while trying to rest, the normal individual expends a lot of physical and mental energy through tension.
Each and every act of ours uses stored energy and we need constant energy renewal. Our modern virtual lifestyle has given rise to muscles and mind that are overstressed. This can cause enormous quantities of energy depletion which leads to severe nervous tension and anxiety related illness. When the body and mind are constantly overworked, their natural efficiency to perform work diminishes. In order to control and balance the work of the body and mind, it is best to learn to scrimp and save the energy produced by our body. This may be done by learning to relax.
All energy may be consumed within a few minutes by bad moods, anger, injury or intense irritation. The process of eruption and repression of violent emotions often grows into a regular habit. The result is disastrous, not only for the body, but also for the mind. In right relaxation, there is practically no energy or "Prana" devoted. In order to achieve perfect relaxation, a combination of physical, mental, and spiritual relaxation is essential.
PHYSICAL BODY AND RELAXATION
Our actions are a result of our thoughts. Just as the mind may send signals to the muscles ordering them to contract, the mind may also send another message to bring the relaxation to the worn-out muscles. Daily exercise can increase the body's energy, but it is futile if energy is constantly being wasted by keeping the muscles always in a state of tension. Some people have trained their muscles to be so tense that they cannot relax them even at night, resulting in constant energy drain.
MENTAL BODY AND RELAXATION
The mind becomes overloaded and exhausted bombarded by various stimuli. We Thoughts, anxieties, worries use up immense amounts of energy. It is important to sit aside each day for the mind to unwind and recoup its energies. Slow and rhythmical breathing for a few minutes can release a lot of mental stress. One may try to relax the mind bur all tensions and worries cannot be completely removed until one reaches spiritual relaxation.
SPIRITUAL BODY AND RELAXATION
As long as a person identifies with the body and the mind, there will be worries, sorrows, anxieties, fear and anger. These emotions, in turn bring tension. Complete mental and physical relaxation comes only with an inner fine tuning of body and the soul. Tuning to the divine source brings the realization that all happiness and peace come from within.
For individuals who find it difficult to actually relax owing to not having the time due to a busy schedule or finding the mind constantly getting distracted few tips may be of aid like-
Warm water bath helps to loosen up muscles. It deepens respiration and can take tension away from your body, pushing those stress toxins out of the body.
Music is a great way of helping you to relax, relieve stress and any anxieties you may have. It also helps you function mentally and physically, which is why music is a great therapy. It's regularly used for meditation. Soothing music that has a tempo of about 60 beats per minute can calm the human heartbeat and create a relaxing effect.
Asanas like Savasana done under the guidance of a teacher can produce holistic relaxing states.
Pranayama and regulation of breath by long and slow exhalation are beneficial in creating a relaxed state of mind.
Meditation is a way to achieve this relaxation. During meditation, the rays of the mind are focused and we experience absolute silence and peace. This gives a profound inner relaxation to the body and mind, relieving all stresses. Through meditation, we can achieve an experience of oneness that destroys emotions such as jealousy, anger, fear, and hatred from their roots.
Relaxation is vital in our lives as it helps to keep our stress levels down, and as a result improves our health. So give your stress wings and let it fly away. Begin at least with 10 minutes of winding down.
As Gandhiji rightly points out, “there is more to life than increasing its speed.”
acharyasamitarathor@gmail.com
Registered Counsellor, Yoga, Indic Wisdom Scholar and Psychology Enthusiast, Plant Based Diet, Cartoonist and Writer.
