In the earlier years man suffered stress. They were probably afraid of attack by wild animals, or dying of hunger or cold. The reaction was simple –‘Fight or Flight’. Unfortunately, in today’s times life is not as simple. Today, the stress situations are either too complex like crash of stock market, environmental pollution, threat of nuclear war or these situations are too mundane to be overlooked like traffic jams, misplacing car keys, foul-ups at work, concern about weight gain and the list goes on. In this sense people are often seen as passive helpless victims of the stress phenomenon.
In Yoga, causes of ill health are considered as imbalance of mind and body. Our own thoughts can create distress in not just us but also in people around us. Yoga considers even distress or discomfort as an illness. Hence, Yogic viewpoint of disease appears to progress through four distinct phases.
- Psychic Phase – this phase is marked by mild but persistent psychological and behavioral symptoms of stress like irritability, disturbed sleep and other minor symptoms.
- Psychosomatic phase – If the stress continues there is an increase in symptoms, along with the appearance of generalized physiological symptoms such as occasional high BP, tiredness without specific cause, etc.
- Somatic Phase – This phase is marked by disturbed function of organs, particularly the target organ, such as now the person suffers from hypertension. At this stage one begins to identify with the diseased state.
- Organic Phase – This phase is marked by full manifestation of the diseased state, with pathological changes such as enlarged heart with their resultant complications.
Yoga as therapy works wonders in the first two phases to the extent of reversing the illnesses. In the somatic phase one may already be on other methods of treatment. But even here Yoga as a complimentary therapy brings remarkable results. Provided one is consistent in his practice, it’s not unusual to see reduced to no medication over a period of time. In the final stage, Yoga has a palliative and quality of life improving effect. Even in terminal and end of life situations, Yoga produces positive emotional and psychological effects.
In our busy lives often the early stages of illness is overlooked and the final stage is seen as an entity unto itself, having little relationship to ones living habits and patterns. One needs to take stock of his health NOW. Just as we save money in a bank to tide over financial crises, so also we need to build up our positive health balance to help us manage unforeseen health challenges with faster recovery and recuperation.
Having said the above, Yoga understands that physical ailments that are not of psychosomatic in nature may need intervention of surgery, medication, prayers and other lifestyle modifications as required.
Well articulated.
In my humble opinion, most people suffering from acute stress only discover so when they are in the later part of somatic or early organic stage. That’s because when the other 2 stages happen in a dormant fashion, they are busy chasing other inconsequential things in life. Also their minds and bodies are stronger relatively to other stages.
What Yoga will also do is make them understand priorities in life and have a realistic approach in setting and chasing goals. Perhaps, move them slightly away from the materialistic ones or else, have a clarity or distinction for goals at an early stage in life.
It will bring the much needed sanity so the problem is stress is much curtailed or totally avoided itself.
While it’s easier said that done but one must strive to reach that level.
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Brilliant. Thank you for your deep thoughts! Yes, one has to strive for it. Important is to begin this journey!!
Thank you again!
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Interesting post! Thanks for sharing!
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Thank you!!
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Useful and timely post! I don’t know my level but I do know that teaching myself to be detached (and remove emotion) has helped a great deal lately in lessening stress in my life.
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Wonderful. Thanks for sharing your experience. We learn the most with experiences of each other 🙂
Thank you for appreciating!
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Most interesting post. One has to strive to make the most out of life and I believe practicing Yoga sparks tuning up our self control. Thank you for following BrewNSpew.
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Very well said.
Yes, Yoga cultivates self-discipline and that brings about positive changes. Thank you for reading and appreciating!
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🙂
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This is very true! Sometimes I forget that daily bad health habits can lead to long term problems. Thanks for this post!
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Yes, it’s a reminder for all of us. Thank you for reading and appreciating!
Wishing you great health and happiness!
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I believe that i am in Psychic Phase ………
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Without realising, I guess most of us are… Simple changes in life can make all the difference. The step is done, the moment we are aware… Aware of ourselves! 🙏
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Hello, I’m really impressed by your beautiful photos. Must be a lot of practise, that your a doing to reach such a level. I`m not very sportive. Probably it would look funny, if I would try this. 🙂 But I’m used to pray to Jesus, who answers prayers generosly. I can bring him all my burdens, he is always listening, taking care for me and leading me on. I life with him every breath that I take. He wants to life with his holy spirit in our heart – nothing on earth makes more happy, I’m a witness of that! ❤ If you ever need a blessing, maybe you want to try it with him. He is God in person, loving, holy, almighty and easily forgiving us when we pray for it. And he's sending nobody away who comes to him!
Wish you a wonderful and peaceful evening. Lots of warm greetings, Tina 🌷🌷🌷
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Thank you Tina for such a beautiful message. I believe 💯 % in every word you say for Jesus… There cant be anything as comforting as the shelter of God 😇
Thank you for appreciating my practice 🙏
I believe, it does not matter what you can do today; what matters is if you start today, in due course of time you will be better than today. May God show us the way…
Warm greetings to you too – gunjan 💕🙏🧘
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Thank you so much for your lovely words! I’m shure, you are not only outside (as we can see on your photos) but as well inside a wonderful person! Yes, may the God, who created heaven, earth and us, show us the way and lead us on this way till we come to him in heaven! Be blessed with his view of the things! 🙏 Send you some smiles! 🙂 ❤
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Only a beautiful soul finds beauty in everyone around. And so youve got to be a beautiful messanger of God yourself … Sending you too many many smiles 💕💕🙏
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😍😍😍
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Stress is nothing but endless web of thoughts…awesome article😊😊👍👍
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Very rightly said. Thankyou for your visit and appreciating it🌸🙏🌸
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