By Atul Vyas
Anxiety is a response of the body to a demanding situation in life. Anxiety increases the demand for glucose and oxygen as it results in fast heart beating and breathing, and increased sweating to dissipate heat produced by rapid energy expenditure. All these activities are essentially controlled by the brain in an unconscious way.
The brain is the seat of feelings and behavior. One’s brain creates one’s own world. It is our brain that perceives and experiences. How our brain works determine the very quality of our lives. It is an established fact that the actual physical patterns of our brain have a dramatic impact on how we think, feel and behave. Medical science has now discovered how to recognize those patterns and treat them with both behavioral and medical prescriptions, which our yogis had discovered centuries ago.
Medically anxiety is caused by the over-activeness of one brain system called, Basal Ganglia.
Basal Ganglia is a set of large structures towards the center of the brain which control the body’s idling speed. Excessive working of this part of the brain results in anxiety, panic attacks, and fearfulness. Under activity of Basal Ganglia results in problems in concentration and problems with motor control of bodily functions.
There are many yogic interventions that help in alleviating phobias, panic attacks, anxiety, and fearfulness caused by overacting of Basal Ganglia. Many of these are now stand approved by modern medical science. One of them is called “Sarvangasana” or shoulder stand-up pose.
Technique
- Lie down on the back
- Raise legs, keeping chest to pelvis directly above the shoulders, hands supporting the back
- Breathe normally and hold
- Lower the body and relax
Benefits
- Stimulates Thyroid glands
- Cures swollen sinuses
- Cures colds, and sore throat
- Improves eyesight and memory
- Helps in varicose veins condition
Note of Caution
- Those suffering from high blood pressure, retina issues, heart diseases, and enlarged liver and spleen should not do this pose.
- Women during their periods should also avoid doing this pose.
The author likes to be called a “Yoga Scientist”. He is a celebrity yoga trainer and has trained several top Hollywood and Bollywood stars. He has trained for years under many eminent yoga gurus including his illustrious mother Daya Vyas, the first lady yoga guru of India.
