Relaxation Therapies - Part 1

Depression, stress and mental fatigue are quiterequire balance and concentration. Yoga also
often our response to our present conflictoffers many breathing skills for stress. These
between material pressures and spiritualyogic breathing techniques are termed as
aspirations.'pranayama'. Yogic meditation has proved helpful in
Sudden or constant stress can induce mental,reducing stress and anxiety, lowering blood
physical and emotional disorders. Research haspressure, improving concentration and creativity
shown that around 12 million adults see doctorsbesides bringing relief from stress-induced
for mental health problems each year. Most ofailments.
these suffer from anxiety and depression, muchThe yoga postures (asana), breathing
of it stress-related.(pranayama), and meditation (dhyana) create
Disorders like dizzy spells, anxiety, tension,increased body awareness, release of muscular
sleeplessness, nervousness, muscle cramps;tension and increased coordination between
chronic fatigue syndrome, hyperventilation ormind-and body. It helps in better management of
choking sensation, chest pain or pressure,stress and ensures an overall feeling of well being.
headaches, ulcers, indigestion, constipation, IBS,Massage
migraines, palpitations, panic attacks, heart attackMassage is an ancient healing art, which works to
and coronary thrombosis and other chronic healthcalm and relax the body through which mental
problems can be a result of long term stress.anxiety is lessened. Under stress muscles are
There are exceptionally effective holistic methodsover-worked, and the body shows many
to tackle stress instead of the general prescribedweakening symptoms such as soreness, stiffness,
drugs, which again cause the body stress due toand even muscle spasms. Heightened stress
their side effects. Some of the holistic methodsresponses accumulate lactic acid in the muscle and
are age-old techniques and some are new avatarswaste air inside the body.
of the modern world.Specific massage techniques, using hands,
The Traditional Methodsforearms, elbows, or even feet are applied to a
The traditional methods are the oldest form ofpatient's body for loosening the muscles and to
structured medicine, that is, a medicine that haslocate areas of tension and other soft-tissue
an underlying philosophy and set of principles byproblems.
which it is practiced. The principles and philosophyAcupressure
of Traditional Methods always deal with naturalAcupressure is the needle-less variation of the
laws, because all life is subject to these naturalChinese healing system which believes that when
laws and ill-health is usually due to an abnormalaccupoints or meridians or energy pathways
imbalance, either within an organism, or of thebecome blocked or congested, a person
organism with its environment. Thereforeexperiences pains or discomfort on a physical
Traditional Healers do not only work at correctinglevel. On emotional or mental level one may
the internal imbalances through which disease canbecome frustrated or irritable, vulnerable,
manifests in an individual, but also work atdesperate, and indecisive about life.
re-establishing an individual's harmony with theirIn acupressure, practitioners use deep but gentle
environment and their relationship with the naturalfinger pressure on specific acupoints to release
cycles to which all life is subject. When there isthe blocked energy and to facilitate its smooth
harmony stress fades away.flow. In effect, this allows your body/mind to
Reflexologyrelax. As your body/mind relaxes, you experience
Reflexology is a non-invasive treatmentless discomfort and stress in addition to an
performed on the feet and sometimes on theelevated sense of well being.
hands. This holistic therapy uses manipulation withAcupressure is, perhaps, the most convenient as
pressure of varying degrees. Reflexology focuseswell as a skillful healing art for stress.
on areas of the feet that correspond with allAcupuncture
body parts. The pressure applied duringAcupuncture is based on the concept of
reflexology stimulates the movement of energymaintaining balance and harmony within the body
along the pathways, through the use of a specificby facilitating the flow of life energy in it, so when
finger and thumb massage technique. Bychi/Qi (life energy) inside the body becomes
re-balancing the body and emotions, reflexology isstagnant and congested, all kinds of mental and
a countermeasure to stress and inducesphysical illness follow. In order to restore chi
relaxation.distribution, needles are inserted into acupoints
Yogaalong the meridians of the body.
Yoga means "to unite." It's the holistic approach toA large number of neurological and
all aspects of life: physical, mental and spiritual.musculoskeletal disorders induced by stress can
Yoga views the person as a whole; as a uniquebe successfully treated by acupuncture. The
combination of body, mind and soul, and itsprinciple here is to clear the blocked energy in the
techniques maintain that body-mind-soul harmony.muscles and nerve channels, as well as facilitating
Its quiet, precise movements focus your mindthe flow of fresh energy in them. This ensures
less on your busy day and more on the momentrelaxation of muscle and mind, and relief from
as you move your body through poses thatstress and tensions.