How to Use Yoga for Stress Relief

Can we use yoga to turn anger into inspiration? According to yoga philosophy, there are four fundamental passions at the root of all our problems. Anger is one of them.

No one likes to be angry or be with an angry person. Anger is an emotion we try to avoid. In our everyday lives, however, anger often rears its ugly head.

We get angry at our mate, a coworker, or the guy who cuts us off in traffic. But just as this emotion has the power to disturb us, it also has the power to inspire us. With a little willpower, insight and forethought, we can turn any negative emotion into a source of inspiration.

More: Mood Foods: 6 Snacks to Kick Your Mind into Gear

What is anger? The classical definition is; an emotion that ranges from frustration and mild irritation to rage. It's a reaction to a perceived threat. It's a warning system that tells us that something is wrong.

Anger has three components: physical, mental and behavioral. On a physical level, we experience a rush of adrenaline, a tightening of the muscles and a "flight or fight" response.

Cognitively (mentally), we perceive or think about what is making us angry. On a behavioral level we express our anger in a variety of ways that range from facial expressions, to yelling, and sometimes violence.

Everyone experiences anger. It's a normal emotion. But according to Karma yoga, it's very difficult for us to express the right amount of anger at the right time and for the right reason.

We tend to perceive and react without a basis or an understanding. Yoga teaches us that awareness. Self-talk and freewill are valuable tools that can guide us through our angry emotions, and turn them into inspiration.

More: Relax Your Mind and Body

Awareness is crucial to inspiration. There is sometimes a misconception that yoga is just a bunch of poses and postures, but it is so much more. Yoga is a pathway that leads to awareness, and awareness leads to enlightenment.

Yoga helps us become more aware of ourselves in body and in mind. It teaches us to feel in the body the thoughts and emotions we hold in our mind, and through our body we examine how our thoughts affect our health.

Yoga uses postures, breathing and meditation to teach us to be peaceful, patient and calm.

More: 10 Reasons to Try Yoga

In a place of quietude, we can begin to speak calmly to ourselves and delve into the reasons behind our anger. We learn to step back from the emotion and examine it with a discerning eye.

We may find that our anger is justified, but there is a better way to express it than through an emotional outburst and physical tension.

Discovering the nature of freewill is one of the gifts of yoga. We can choose to change our world view simply by changing our perspective. In a quiet state of mind, anger takes on a very different meaning.

Being angry is one way of seeing things. Being inspired to make a creative change, or to right a wrong, is another way of seeing the same situation.

Freewill is the power to act without constraint. We have the power to be cognizant of all of our choices and their consequences. In a place of peace, better choices and consequences are realized.

More: The ABCs of Yoga Styles

Here is an easy yoga exercise to do anytime anger rears its ugly head.

Inspire with Yoga

Sit cross-legged on a mat. Make your hands into fists and pull the elbows back past the plane of your body.

Press your chest out. Close your eyes and sit still. Remember anger is not a bad thing, it's a great motivator, but we have to channel it creatively.

Inhale, and hold your breath while thrusting one of your fists forward as far as you can in a punching motion. Hold your breath until you can't hold it any longer.

Bring your arm back to your side as you exhale, and then repeat on the other side. Do this at least three times on each side.

Now, sit quietly and take in three deep breaths. Your energy will settle into a quiet place. Listen to your inner voice.

Examine your energy as the anger dissipates and your energy guides you to a place of inspiration.

Then, get up, smile, and observe how easy it is to turn anger into inspiration.

More How to Choose the Best Yoga for You