Yoga and fear, in the deep midwinter

There is a branch of Chinese Medicine which looks at the seasons as profoundly energetic in nature.  We all have a favourite time of year when we feel at our best, and other times which make us feel mentally or physically less well.  This is because we all have own unique personal ‘constitution’ and the seasons will either build or battle with us in various and subtle ways.  In this way of looking at things, Winter is associated with ‘water’ energy.  It resonates with the energies of our kidneys and bladder and is associated with the emotion of fear.

I was reminded of this when a yoga student asked about using yoga to deal with fear and anxiety.  She felt increasingly fearful as the days grew darker and colder, as well as being tense and tight at this time of year.  So what’s going on and is there a particular type of yoga that can help with fear?

Fear happens when the nervous system is in a state of ‘fight or flight’ and all we want to do is escape the stress, avoid the threat or stop the pain (perceived or otherwise). Sadly, this can turn into a low grade, chronic form of anxiety where there doesn’t seem to be any actual danger (it’s just dark let’s say), but the body and mind are behaving as if there is.  We can become agitated, restless, tense and unable to fully relax, with the consequence that we never fully rest and re-balance. 

All forms of yoga are excellent at helping with this.  The combination of mindful breathing, moving in time with the breath and tuning into the physical body, rather than the chattering mind, is a powerful way of switching into a ‘parasympathetic’ or calm nervous state.  Many studies show the incredible therapeutic benefits of yoga for people with PTSD and other forms of trauma which have permanently set their fear response on high alert.  Yoga programmes are in place in prisons around the world, helping inmates deal with unimaginable stresses and yoga is the go-to practice for alcohol and addiction recovery.

There are also particular postures which can be of help in times of panic.  Try one or more of these, together with slow steady breathing: ‘Mountain pose’ is the simple practice of standing upright, feet together, palms of the hands facing forward.  It is grounding and comforting, drawing attention to your connection with the earth.  ‘Tree pose’ takes this further as you learn to balance on one leg and, as you do, your confidence grows. ‘Sphinx pose’ has you lying on your front, chest raised off the ground and forearms on the floor.  The lower back bends (kidney area) while the chest, the heart-centre, opens and expands.  ‘Childs pose’ is a forward fold, forehead on the ground, protecting the whole front side of the body as you curl into a ball. 

Have a peaceful winter.  Namaste!