The idea of practicing Yoga, as an adjunct to anger management therapy, has promise, but it also has disbelievers. Those who would prefer to stay as they are have "short changed" their chances at achieving success through any form of therapy. If we do not believe in a form of treatment, there is not much chance of success.
In standard therapeutic forms of anger management therapy, a patient sees a professional mental health counselor. This decision, to seek counseling, could be voluntary or court mandated. If someone voluntarily seeks professional help, he or she sees the reality of the problem.
When anger is out of control, it can turn violent in an instant. Relationships and jobs take a back seat, while anger plays itself out. If it is left unchecked, anger destroys families, friendships, and careers. Through violence, anger leads to crimes of passion.
How can Hatha Yoga help?
Yet, the goal of all forms of Yoga is tranquility of mind through training. Some people claim that Yoga should have no goals. This is a ludicrous concept, because generations of people would not continue to practice Yoga, over thousands of years, without goals.
Make no mistake about it, Yoga will train the mind. Even, the person, who goes to a Yoga fitness class, for years, without learning anything more than postures (asanas), will eventually notice his or her mind has become calmer. The urge to have fits of anger begins to disappear as a Yoga practitioner continues to stay with the practice.
The benefits from a complete style of Yoga, which practices pranayama (yogic breathing), asana, mantra, meditation, and relaxation techniques, cannot be understated. The reason for a state of tranquility is quite simple: Yoga allows the practitioner to control his or her mind.
There are many reasons to go off into a fit of anger. We may not have reached a state of maturity, where we are able to control our actions. For example: Children do not consider the consequences of their actions. When adults react in a cycle to the same "triggers" of the past, they lack the coping skills to deal with daily situations that occur in relationships and in the workplace.
Hatha Yoga gives one all the tools to train the mind in a positive direction. Anger is, in fact, a complete waste of time. If someone hurts us, it is better to find a logical solution to end or lessen the pain. When the mind is in the middle of a temper tantrum, no logical solutions will be found.
© Copyright 2008 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of Yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of Yoga Teacher Training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA.
aurawellnesscenter.com aurawellnesscenter.com
He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995. To receive Free Yoga videos, Podcasts, e-Books, reports, and articles about Yoga, please visit: yoga-teacher-training.org/member-offer.html yoga-teacher-training.org/member-offer.html
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