We have all been there. Sometimes, you are overcome with anger and can’t kick it. Yoga teaches a philosophy that can help you navigate high-intensity emotions and keep a level head.
Everyone feels angry from time to time because it is part of human psychology and comes in two forms: empowering anger and disempowering anger. The first one stimulates you to take positive action, and the second one leads to bitterness, worry, or fear.
Research shows that anger triggers a person’s fight or flight response and increases their stress hormones. If your rage continues for too long or if you have anger management concerns, it will significantly affect your physical health and mental wellbeing, leading to hypertension, depression, and anxiety.
Practicing yoga philosophy off the mat can help you manage anger and other intense emotions.
Yoga & Anger Management
There are many ways to manage your anger, such as talk therapy and dedicated anger management classes or sessions with an expert psychiatrist. Yoga is a complementary approach that can help manage and transform your anger into positive feelings.
Yoga is a physical and mental health approach that encourages people to stay mindful and control their emotions. You may struggle with anger because you haven’t identified your negative emotions properly. Accepting and dealing with negative thoughts or feelings is important when it comes to anger management.
Svadhyaya is a foundational aspect of yoga, which means self-study or becoming more aware of yourself. It aims to recognize and drive awareness of your immense consciousness, self-discovery, self-awareness, and identity.
The practice involves studying your emotions and reactions when you feel angry and helps you to become more self-aware and understanding of the causes of your emotions. Once you have identified the root or cause of your anger, you can manage your emotions and use strategies to calm down.
When you are angry, your body typically tenses up. Yoga offers various poses to help you channel your anger through physical movements, releasing excess tension and energy. Likewise, yoga has many different breathing techniques designed to calm your central nervous system. For example, this breathing technique is excellent for reducing anxiety and adding calmness.
Tips to Reduce Anger with Yoga
The next time that you are experiencing intense emotions or anger, try the following tips to ease your mood.
Focus on Svadhyaya or Self-Study
Svadhyaya is an important yoga philosophy to help manage and deal with anger. Practicing Svadhyaya or self-study when you are angry helps you to recognize your emotions and pay attention to causes. It allows you to learn things or situations that trigger your anger and understand certain situations that lead to calm.
We recommend keeping a journal to record your experiences and reflect on your anger patterns. When you witness and collect data, it will help you solve the issue effectively and create new, powerful solutions. Taking your time to delve into yoga’s timeless philosophy and following its teachings is a great way to incorporate Svadhyaya.
Practice Saucha, the Art of Eating Clean
Ayurveda is another yogic practice that will help manage emotions. When you practice clean and healthy eating, you practice Saucha, an ancient yoga philosophy that teaches you how food affects your body and emotions.
Processed food filled with pesticides, additives, and preservatives can harm your body significantly. It is crucial to detoxify or eliminate harmful elements and chemicals from your body because these substances can make you feel restless and agitated.
Foods like hot oils, sharp spices, chocolate, coffee, and meat increase your body’s heat and energy, which is linked with feelings of anger. Instead of consuming processed food, eat mood-supporting foods like fruits and vegetables. A 2012 research study highlights that fruits and veggies can help with anger management.
Practice Yoga
Several yoga poses can help you reduce anger and encourage a healthy mindset. Try the following poses to help you maintain a calm mindset. Whenever you feel angry or negative, simply take a few moments to practice these poses.
Yoga Poses to Help Manage Anger
Child’s Pose
Child’s Pose, or Balasana, is a foundational yoga pose that is often considered a resting pose. Holding this position naturally lowers stress and anxiety, all while stretching the hips and thighs, and alleviating pressure in the lower back. Learn how to practice Child’s Pose.
Fish Pose
Fish Pose, or Matsyasana, opens your chest and heart – tapping into your emotions. During this pose, you may feel a sense of freeing, this is typical. Learn how to practice Fish Pose.
Supported Shoulder Stand Pose
Supported Shoulder Stand, or Salamba Sarvangasana, is an inversion pose that requires balance and focus. This pose stimulates your thyroid and relieves stress, all while strengthening your lower body. Learn how to practice Supported Shoulder Stand.
