We are so accustomed to stress that stress is just a part of our everyday life. In fact, for many of us, it’s unthinkable to be stress-free. We may even be brainwashed in thinking that, if we are not highly or chronically stressed, then there’s something amiss and that we are not doing enough. We may even interpret being stress-free as being a lazy under-achiever… somehow inadequate. Being stressed is wrongly defined as being productive. Or some people are very stressed and overwhelmed but they will not know it as such state of high alert and pressure. To them, that’s the norm. And some take pride to say that they relish stress as though it’s a mark of true success and courage… a purple heart in this daily grind called … life. Stress may be something they dismiss or for some, they may be in a state of total denial.
Ask one of those people who appear to be carrying a huge load and you ask them, How are you? They reply – oh, fine. Oh, it’s nothing. Oh, it’s a breeze. It’s absolutely NO problem what-so-evvverrrr, Really! What? Is it your pride and ego responding? What’s wrong with acceptance and admission that this load is an overload? And that you are over-extended and over-taxed perhaps. Do those people go on muttering some mantra that goes, stress is good; it allows me to get things done.. repeat over and over, stress is good for me, stress is good for me… it makes me more productive… stress is needed…Really? There’s nothing wrong with our coping skills if we admit things are not looking all that perfect as we juggle. Also, know that getting help is not an admission of defeat AND you are still needed and loved if you are not doing all those things that garner admiration and awe and comments such as – “I don’t know how he/she does it? ” To admit that maybe it’s okay to not do so much – That reality does not make you a loser. No, not at all. You are just human not super-human. You are of great value and service without having to do so much. Just being, instead of constantly doing… is … okay. Judith brings that message to all egocentric over-achievers that the world is not going to come apart or to an end if you “relax and renew”; in fact, it may become a better place.
If we do not manage this stress level properly, then the body’s defenses break down, making us vulnerable to illness. And that’s just the physical toll we are referring to, not even touching on the emotional toll it might take – It’s been said that up to 80% of ailments are attributed to stress. Restorative yoga induces a state of deep relaxation and tranquility… The alpha… some even theta and delta state of relaxation is generated which leads to a special consciousness at which natural healing can take place… Who wouldn’t want to feel refreshed and restored with a pure sense of well-being and inner harmony.
It’s hard to fully relax if various parts of your body is bothering you – whether it be aches and pains or tension and kinks… or… that dull blocked up stuck feeling, that hard to explain feeling of fatigue…so that’s why the help from our little friends for support (read “props”:) plus some … magic…at rescue:)
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If it’s something you LOVE. If it’s your passion that you are DOING, then, it’s not stressful. It’s JOY. Doing = Being when it’s your passion, isn’t it? No sleep, no food… even then to me, it’s okay…that’s not stress. You are doing what you love to do and that allows you to be present.
