Yoga and Work – Life Balance
December 7th, 2008 Posted in Yoga therapyYoga began to fall out of favor, after a surge of interest during the consciousness-conscious ’60s. People in fact lost patience with the activity, which offers slow but steady results, and turned to the fast pace and quick shape-up of aerobics. Yoga today is back-less mystical than in the past, less reminiscent of gurus in pretzel positions, and more attractive than ever to people who are interested in working out rather than working toward some spiritual objective.
Yoga is a great stretch and flexibility program one time you step out of the metaphysical atmosphere. Yoga is increasingly being used by those who are having a trouble in balancing their work and personal life. Tense working atmosphere and a hectic schedule have a telling impact on the personal lives of the modern day executives and so they are turning to yoga to bring about a peace of their mind and to adopt perfect work-life stability.
Many dissatisfied runners, weight trainers and aerobic dancers complain that instead of reducing the stress in their lives, their exercise regimes add more.
Many people rush to work out every day at lunch, force themselves to keep up and then rushed back to work. Without doubt, it does something good for them, but it is just another pressure. Yoga is less competitive, less stressful, and above all gives a wonderful feeling of being.
In realty, the healing aspect of yoga is a key to its renewed popularity. Aching backs, the strained knees, and neck pains generated by the push for fitness and the stress of making it in a competitive world have inspired a packaged set of a book and audio cassettes. A number of orthopedic surgeons, chiropractors and neurologists are now referring patients to specific yogis during treatment.
Increasing interest in the mind-body connection is fueling a major comeback of the ancient practice, boosted by research suggesting it can reduce stress and blood pressure, improve work performance, even slow effects of aging.
Numerous techniques are now being taught in mainstream hospitals and businesses; books about them are brisk sellers and discussion groups have sprung up on the web.
Even the Army is interested – it has asked the National Academy of Sciences to study meditation and other new age techniques that might enhance soldiers’ performance.
Facts differ, but a common theme is relaxing the body while keeping the mind alert and focused – on an object, sound, breath or body movement. If the mind wanders – and it always does – you gently bring it back and start again
Condition related to stress account for 60percent to 90 percent of U.S. doctor visits, and mind-body approaches often are more effective, and cost-effective, than drugs or surgery. For example, 34percent of infertile patients get pregnant within six months, 70percent of insomniacs become regular sleepers and doctor visits for pain are reduced 36 per cent.