Manage Your Emotional Habits and Thought Patterns: 2. Stretching and exercise

Release through stretching: yoga, opening stretches

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Tension and stretching

When we are stressed for a prolonged time, the tension of the stress will easily manifest on our physical body. Have you ever felt a tightening on the shoulder and back, shortness of breath, or just a general slump in energy? This is basically caused by the tightening of our muscles that constricts circulation, and makes it harder for energy to be utilised by our bodies.

To feel better, an easy way is to give your body a good thorough stretch to break off the tension, loosen the tightened muscle and boost circulation. This is a fundamental theory behind asana yoga practices (as in, yoga traditions that include physical poses).

Try some yoga

Two types of advisable yoga stretching methods include The Five Tibetan Rites (colloquially known as Tibetan 5 yoga), a type of vinyasa (continuous movement) yoga practice attributed to Tibet that strengthens as you stretch and flow. Yoga psoas stretching asanas also work, as they release a lot of tension that can build up in our hip joints.

In general, any asana yoga practice is beneficial in improving physical wellbeing through improving bodily functions and circulation, conditioning and stretching your muscles, and improving mental clarity and emotional balance through the accompanying focus on mindfulness and spirituality.

Breathing and exercise

Despite what kind of exercise we do, the key thing to remember is to mindfully breathe with each motion. Take the time to surrender into each stretch without over-extending yourself.

If stretching is not an option, try moving around: brisk walking, jumping, even to the point of dancing to your favourite music or singing. The point is to release!

A third option is to find a way to sweat, either by going to a sauna or exercising. Sweating and physical exercise help stimulate circulation, and the positive increase in metabolism will energise you.

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