Yoga in Practice: Anger Management – Part 2
by Paul
Jerard
zone3
The next obstacle is self-righteousness or delusion. This is the belief
that you are right, even though the universal laws of morality say you are
wrong. How can genocide be justified? How can one race, or religion,
justify alienating another? How can innocent civilians be slaughtered for
retribution?
Sorry to bring up such extremes, but self-righteousness and delusion
are the tools of intolerance. Intolerance always justifies itself, no
matter how many martyrs perish. If you want to control anger, please
discard intolerance and judgment of others.
Very often, anger is created within the ego and is a response to
imaginary threats. This is most ironic, when a full blown conflict erupts
over a perceived threat, which did not really exist. So how can this
violent chain of events, within the mind, be prevented? How can the ego
and intolerance be controlled? - Through self-realization - also known as,
“Vichara.” This is not meditation, but a realization of “I am.” This is
rational or logical thought, but true self-analysis requires time. For
mankind to grasp collective sanity is a never- ending battle, but there is
another way around this impasse.
This is the path of compassion or “Karuna”, forgiveness (Kshama),
loving kindness, and friendship. Most people will respond in a similar
fashion, but always be prepared to defuse hostilities with those who want
to take every advantage and mistake kindness for weakness. This is another
form of awareness, so be vigilant and observe others around you.
It is believed that when your brain becomes hot, you will not think
logically. Drinking water and Pranayama will cool your brain. You may also
want to engage in regular practice of Japa, meditation, prayer, and eat
Sattvic food.
What about Hatha Yoga for anger management? In my experience,
adolescent males have the greatest difficulty with anger management, but
vigorous asana practice or Vinyasa helps them deal with rage and anger
much better.
For two years, I taught Yoga classes within a local juvenile
correctional facility. Some members of this group had serious issues with
rage and anger. At first, there was some outright resistance to learning
Yoga, even though they knew it would improve their lives.
Pranayama, relaxation, and meditation were difficult to teach, under
these conditions, but they immediately caught on to Vinyasa. After the
first two months of Vinyasa Yoga practice, many were able to relax and did
meditate on their own.
© 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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