There are times in life that things do not always go the way we want or people or situations disappoint us and we get angry. Yoga is a great outlet to take that anger and release it before it can cause your body harm. Yoga teacher training talks about how yoga will help you to relax and de-stress when these moments happen. We should never try to repress anger. Instead you should give in to the emotion and learn how to work through it. Never react in a destructive way, instead channel all of your energy into yoga poses. Even though yoga is a great resource for working through anger you may still need to consider talking to a counselor if your feelings of anger are causing any life problems.
Learn how to release anger through yoga poses
One of the best exercises you can use is from the Kundalini Yoga style that helps to release any suppressed anger and frustration. Begin this pose by laying your back with your eyes closed. Lift your arms straight up into the air and make fists. Slowly inhale deeply and allow yourself to feel angry. Tense your arms and slowly bring your arms in toward your chest just like you are pulling a heavy object toward you. Continue to feel the sensation of anger. As your fists reach your chest you should exhale forcefully. As you exhale allow all of your anger to leave with your breath. You can repeat this exercise three times. Yoga teaching is all about being able to visualize as you work through emotions and use your awareness to bring balance to yourself.
Corpse Pose
The corpse pose, or savasana, is a pose that is meant to quiet your mind and still your body. You can begin this pose by lying flat on your back with your legs close but not touching and take your arms and put them parallel to the body with your palms facing up. Then close your eyes and relax your facial muscles while you begin to breathe deeply and slowly through your nostrils. Keep your focus on relaxing each part of your body beginning with your head and working your way down through each limb. Make sure to relax but do not fall asleep. If you start to feel sleepy begin to breathe more quickly and deeply with focus set to your breath. Yoga teacher training makes a point of doing this pose at the end of each yoga teaching session so that you bring your body to a calm center.
Sheetali Pranayama
If you are struggling with your anger and not being able to find a comforting release from it you can try to practice Sheetali Pranayama. This pose helps reduce the internal heat and will promote tranquility and peace within you. Begin this pose by sitting in a comfortable position. Stretch your spine upwards while lengthening your neck and pulling your chin back and in toward your chest. Close your eyes and place your hands on your knees. Then curl the sides of your tongue up to form a tunnel and slowly inhale. As the air passes over your tongue you will notice a cooling sensation. Then bring your tongue back in and exhale through your nose. Repeat this for ten repetitions. If you have trouble curling your tongue all the way you can modify the exercise and just curl it up as far as possible.
Shoulder Stand
This shoulder stand pose can help reduce excessive anger and hate that you may be feeling as well as invigorate your body. To begin this pose, lie on the floor with your legs together and hands at your sides. Lift your hips off of the floor and bring your legs up and over your head. Then lift your back and move your legs behind your head. Yoga teachers will make sure you keep your spine straight and place your arms against your upper back as close to your shoulders blades. Make sure to keep your elbows about shoulder width. Push your back upward with your hands and rest your weight on the back side of your shoulders. Make sure not to bend your upper back and chest. Then, lift up your legs one at a time keeping your pelvis straight over your back and hands. Put your legs a little more forward and keep your weight divided between both hands and shoulders. Hold the pose and when you come back to neutral bring your legs slowly to the mat one at a time. Make sure to practice this pose with a certified yoga teacher. Do not practice this pose if you have breathing or upper back issues.
There are skills that can be learned through yoga teacher training that will help you with more than just exercise for your body. Make sure to take advantage of all the benefits yoga teaching has to offer.
