Anger is a normal emotion that is experienced by everyone to some degree at one time or another. There is an old quote that sheds light on the danger of anger and a good reason to work to overcome it. “Anger is like drinking poison and hoping your enemy will die.”
The quote holds a fundamental truth that anger only poisons the person harboring the feelings of anger. Anger hurts not only emotionally, but can harm your health. Anger and related stress contribute to a broad range of health problems. For these reasons, it’s important to learn to manage anger.
Yoga is very beneficial for anger management. Regular practice can help to restore peace of mind and reduce anger. The breathing and introspection of yoga work to reduce anger and stress, which offers many benefits to the general health of the practitioner.
Yoga also helps to develop awareness of the emotions and thought patterns that work to trigger anger. This awareness is an important step in recognizing anger when it first begins to rear its ugly head. When faced with a situation that typically induces feelings of anger and rage, you will begin to notice the trigger and be able to bring it under control.
This does not mean you won’t ever feel anger. This is not a realistic goal. But when you do begin to feel angry, you will be able to experience the feeling without lashing out. This can work in any situation from a rude driver on the road to a family or work situation.
Several components of yoga practice can be used in these situations. The Pranayama breathing used in yoga practice can be used off the mat to help dissipate anger before it takes over. The relaxation exercises used at the end of the yoga practice work to rid the body of tension and anger.
The benefits of yoga for anger management are being realized by doctors and even the judicial system. In 2004, a judge in Houston, Texas ordered a man to study yoga as part of an anger management program.
In order for yoga to be an effective tool in managing anger, regular practice is important. As you develop greater awareness of the body and emotions, as well as the mind, body and spirit connection of yoga, you will find you are more at peace and able to deal with problems as they arise in daily life.