The Stillness Beneath the Chaos
I. Introduction
In this ever-growing world, stress has risen to become a serious cause of worry. Our subconscious mind had been fooled. Now, various stimuli are misinterpreted. To counter the many problems due to Stress, Yoga, the ancient art of keeping oneself healthy has resurfaced, both in India, and the World.
II. Cortisol and The Passage of Time
Earlier, in the Paleolithic Age, Cortisol, a stress hormone released by the Adrenal Glands was crucial for survival. Without it, our ancestors would have been easy prey to Sabre-Tooth Tigers and other Predators. As the Mesolithic Age stated, we learnt agriculture, and settled communities appeared. Still, we needed cortisol, as rival tribes were a source of danger. It was at this time that chronic stress appeared. In the Neolithic Age, however, issues that were not directly a cause of a life-or-death scenario came to increase cortisol.
Flash forward to the modern age. Now, our Cortisol level spikes to extremely high levels for small, and non life-threatening stimuli. Like, if our boss sends us a WhatsApp Message, our Cortisol level rises to a level similar to the Paleolithic Era, and we see a Sabre-Tooth Tiger.
While Cortisol is necessary, its excess production causes many problems. Cortisol breaks down muscle tissues for energy. It instructs the body to store Visceral Fat, the type of fat that clumps near organs, and increases chances of Liver Cirrhosis and Diabetes by making the cells ignore Insulin. It can cause Insomnia. Cortisol can cause severe psychological disorders like Depression and Anxiety. This hormone suppresses the immune system, similar to HIV.
In order to protect ourselves from the hazards of excess Cortisol, we have to practice mindfulness, among other protections. And, for this protection, we have a Traditional Practice, more than 5000 years old – Yoga. Yoga serves many benefits; fighting stress is just one benefit of Yoga.
III. Yoga and Stress
When we think of Yoga, we usually think of a trance-like state. While Pranayama is what is often seen as an avatar of Stress-relieving Yoga, other poses, even those seen as truly difficult may contribute to relieving stress.
Yoga is undoubtedly one of the best ways to relieve stress. If the basics are learnt, one can relieve themselves from Stress by practicing exercises like Brahmari Pranayama, Kapalbhati, Anulom-Vilom and Seetkari Pranayama.
Yoga, however, is an art with many hidden facts. For example, Shavasana, which is also called the Corpse Pose is seen as one of the easiest Yogasanas. However, if we look into the mind of anyone doing it, we see something we don’t see in ourselves, even in sleep – absolute calmness. The mind does not divert itself from focussing on the body.
In Yog Nindra(Yogic Sleep), the performer visualizes themselves, and goes into a full exploration and observation of their body, and mind. This is usually done taking Shavasana as a Launch Pad. It is difficult for beginners, but, as time passes, it becomes a haven to escape worldly fears, attractions, temptations and distractions.
IV. The Path Forward
To start with, the path to becoming someone who is developing immunity to worldly entities starts with a single step. Pick an easy action, like Anulom-Vilom and practice for 5 minutes when you wake up. You can increase it to as much as you want, but beware of over-straining yourself. Yoga uses strain for development, but that strain is always in a limit. Too much, and you actually may damage your health, mental, social and physical.
Then, Brahmari – The Bee to hum, not just anything, but the phrase Om. Om, actually is not just an O and an M. It is actually, an A(as in apple), E(as in Elephant), O(as in orange), and in gets to the Anga(Like Ganga). But, when you say Om, you must not shift suddenly; you must let the syllables blend slowly. In Brahmari, you hum, and close your ears, and eyes with your hands gently. Sit in Padmasana, for it creates a more effective circuit through which the vibrations loop.
Agnisarkriya, while not a Pranayama, is an effective anti-indigestion practice, though it can be practiced anytime, except when on a full stomach.
