stress management articles

Are you already feeling some stress at the very thought of the upcoming holiday season? If so, you are not alone. And, it doesn’t have to be that way! ...

I'll never forget the first time I "used NVC" (Nonviolent Communication) with my father. After 40 years, I was sure that he would never stop criticizing me and giving me advice.  All my adult life I felt miserable during the holidays, when I was particularly worried about this dynamic coming up. ...

You are tense, tired, edgy, perhaps even angry, hurt or feeling abused. But before dealing directly with the source of whatever provoked your feelings, get yourself into a more balanced and resourceful state of ...

Greetings! Have you ever felt so fatigued or stressed that you could not find the energy to practice the most basic yoga postures that you learned in a Level I class? Have you ever looked at the schedule from your favorite yoga studio for a class to restore your mind and body into an aligned relaxed natural state, in which self healing may occur without effort, and suddenly noticed the words Restorative Yoga following an Iyengar Level II class. The description on the flyer says one-hour class to restore the body and the mind.  Now you ask yourself, "What is restorative yoga and how can it work to reduce chronic stress?"    ...

Stress is the "wear and tear" our bodies experience as we adjust to our continually changing environment; it has physical and emotional effects on us and can create positive or negative feelings. As a positive influence, stress can help compel us to action; it can result in a new awareness and an exciting new perspective. ...

You may not think of your mind and body as a "human hard drive," but this interesting and informative article points out some important similarities. ...

I have already pointed out the importance of being aware enough of one's body to relax it, and of relaxing into every pose instead of forcing oneself into it. It is time now to learn the supreme relaxation pose, Savasana (the Corpse ...

Sure, we'd all love to live up to that romantic image of rising early with no need for the alarm clock, doing an hour of yoga while overlooking a gentle bubbling brook, awakening our senses to the rising sun, and conducting the rest of our day consuming the most nutritious, organic food, breathing pure mountain air, and sailing through our responsibilities with nary a traffic jam or network shutdown.  But we live in the real world, full of real stresses, real schedules, and precious little time available for exercise and ...

You may have gone back to work or school, and are getting into a new routine. Many find this time of year challenging with transition and with the many activities to which they are drawn. We come from a society that is achievement oriented, and we don't value time when we aren't doing. Yoga is a tool toward being, introspection and stillness. Learning to just be is a critical skill for survival in the 21st century. Yoga cultivates awarenessso one can be present in the moment and in the body. This practice extends to being present at other times in life, and towards finding meditative awareness doing everyday ...

"I go to the woods to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order."
John ...