Yoga in Practice: Anger Management – Part 1
by Paul
Jerard
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Yoga has been able to help many of mankind’s ailments, but what about
anger management? How can Yoga prevent rage and the burning desire for
revenge? Many people say: “Don’t get mad, get even.” Is this what we are
talking about?
As any Yoga practitioner knows, Yoga has nothing to do with “getting
even.” However, revenge has become “the special of the day.” Many people
feel revenge is justified, and we all know that revenge is a result of
anger - whether it is slow burning or instant.
As I have mentioned before, Yoga does not stop when you roll up your
Yoga mat. Most of what you take care of on your Yoga mat is the physical
aspect of Yoga. This is a wonderful thing, but the rewards of your
practice should be carried with you wherever you go.
Very few of us can say we have not felt anger. Many people, who know
me, think I do not feel anger. However, that is pure myth. The fact is
anger can be held in check, and managed, by using the following methods
from Yogic philosophy and the many different styles of Yoga.
See attachment for what it is, and remove yourself from it. In reality,
we own nothing. We are attached to money, possessions, relationships, and
loved ones. Does this mean we own them or have control of them? Only on a
temporary basis do you have control - if the universe permits.
What am I talking about? If you faced a catastrophic disaster today,
you could lose some, or all, of your perceived possessions. Restrain your
feelings of possessiveness for everything. You are only the temporary
custodian of your possessions in this life. Once you clearly see this, you
can prevent anger that is wrapped around attachment.
Be aware of desire. It is good to better yourself, but do not let
reckless desire run your life. There is nothing wrong with the desire to
succeed; this is healthy, but when desire incites anger, we must place
restraints on our desires.
This task will take some self-observation, and we must be honest with
ourselves. For example: We have the desire to get to work on time, but
should we use our car as a weapon on the way?
At first, this may sound ridiculous, but many people risk their lives
in a frenzy of anger, just to get to work on time. They also risk the
lives of everyone else on the road. This is only one small example of how
anger and reckless desire are linked.
© Copyright 2006 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at:
Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified
Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts,
with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was
recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga,
martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater
Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for
You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga
teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html
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