Yoga for a Stress-free vacation
Though it may sound paradoxical, a vacation can also invite its fair share of stressful situations. Despite all the meticulous planning which normally go behind organizing a vacation, sources are varied which make a vacation nearly nightmarish. Flight delays, poor services, inclement weather conditions, escalation of prices, noisy tourists, unwelcome insects and the list is endless of situations which turn vacations something forgettable. There are several methods of meditation, which are aimed at reducing vacation stress, some of which are: sakshin, pratyahara and pranayama.
The best part about Yogic meditation is that not only does it prepare you in advance of any stressful event during vacation; it also keeps you calm after the event. Sakshin is such a form of meditation which helps you to get a practical and realistic view of things and provides a sense of conscious detachment of the things around you. Pratyahara on the other hand is a form of meditation by which your mind gets into a calm and peaceful state where external noise and interferences are minimal and your entire focus is within. Pranayama are a set of some amazing breathing exercises through which you can bring your mind under control under any stressful situation by controlling your breathing and getting all your internal energies in sync with each other.
There is nothing like being prepared for any adverse situation while in vacation. This of course does not entail worrying before hand of any unforeseen circumstances, it only keeps you ready to face any undesirable event and understand the rationale of why it could have happened in the first place. All situations during a vacation can be viewed pragmatically if you have a clear and uncluttered mind; or else, you will tend to react on impulse which might create further problems.
Try to have a third person’s view when faced with any adverse situation. To get the right perspective of the matter, try and see it from another point of view. Objectivity is very difficult to achieve especially when it concerns an issue affecting yourself or any one in your family. Try and develop a neutral point of view which will turn you in good stead rather than jumping headlong in to an issue. “I couldn’t help myself’ – is a sentence which should be completely eliminated from your thought process as it flatly signifies how impulsive you could get at that moment. The secret is to take full control of yourself, to take better control of life around you. Feel how your body reacts to external stimuli and then react to the situation. It is only then that you can make a sound judgment of events. If you are naturally impulsive, learning to control your breathing would go a long way in calming your mind and spirit and help you take informed decisions.
One of the things to remember is that your subconscious acts first, in any situation. If you can interrupt the interpretation at this stage, then you can take control of the situation in the most matured fashion. Instant reaction or a reflex action is difficult to control, but with regular and diligent practice, you can actually bring about a positive change in your reactions and ability to cope with difficult and stressful situations. The ‘fight or flight’ response is common to all of us. The first reaction to any adverse event is to ‘retaliate’ or ‘vanish’ or ‘give up’. Both these reactions trigger enough tensions through out the body, which can take weeks or even months to completely get erased from your memory. It sometimes never really does. If you have a calm and peaceful mind, you can prevent such tension build-up, even before they start mushrooming within your system. Most vacations are meant to be short and sweet. If you spend major part of it sulking or feeling angry at the way things turned out, you have completely ruined it. In stead, try and get the best out of your vacation by remaining calm and in control of your mind and head.
Darren Williger is an over-caffeinated, low carbohydrate eating, winemaking enthusiast who writes for MicroKarma.com, CoffeeZen.com, and PrimeYoga.com.
