The Purpose of Yoga - Yogic Stress Management

Have you ever noticed that people who exerciseaction, contribute to a variety of ailments, poor quality
regularly have more energy, less stress, and seem tolife, and premature death. So, how does a "stressed
get more done in a day than those who do not haveout" person begin to design a plan to change his or her
the time for exercise? Why does exercise increaselifestyle, before it "gets cut short" by stress?
your energy level, and how is it possible to be moreThere are many places to go, and the solutions do not
productive in less time?have to take place all at the same time. Writing a list,
As you know, Yoga is more than an exercise; but youof what bothers you, is a start. You could list the
will discover solutions for stress management withinproblems on the left side of your sheet and list possible
and any form of Yoga - even the less physical styles.solutions on the right side of the sheet.
In fact, Yoga is a lifestyle full of methods to relieve youTo be honest, Yoga could be the solution to most of
from stress.your problems, but you have to take action. You have
People often say they have no time for meditation,to want to take action, and move in a positive direction
breathing correctly (Pranayama), eating correctly, goodfor your complete health. Your local Yoga or wellness
hygiene, good posture (asanas), giving to others, orcenter probably has most, or all, of the solutions you
praying to God. Most Yoga teachers do not cover allseek, "under one roof."
of these Yogic aspects, within their classes, but someSo, why does exercise increase your energy level and
do.how is it possible to be more productive in less time?
The masses have no time for Yoga, or improving theirAbout increasing productivity: A "spark" of energy
life, but they are full of stress, anxiety, and bad feelings,from Yoga exercise (Asanas), Sun Salutations,
because they are reacting to life. Yoga practitionersmeditation, or Pranayama, in the early morning, will
have a pro-active lifestyle, which is much similar to thecreate a positive flow of energy within your body,
person who wakes up early to exercise, walk, or run inmind, and spirit, for the rest of the day.
the early morning.Some would say a coffee will do the same thing.
Most people are reacting to deadlines at work, andHowever, if you are not exercising, excessive
home, every day. People often worry about lack ofamounts of coffee will usually cause more stress and
income, finances, and their relationships, because theyanxiety. The body is "screaming" for some form of
do not have a plan and see no solution to the neverexercise, if it is full of energy and you sit down all day.
ending cycle of excessive stress.If you are exercising regularly, moderate amounts of
All of this worrying, stress, anxiety, and lack of positivecoffee should be fine.