Welcome to our series focusing on health, wellbeing and yoga with Stacey Baxter of Muladhara Yoga.
Whether we like to admit it or not, we all feel we need to have control in some way or another. Whether that be simply controlling the way our house looks and feels or controlling our career by encouraging promotion to go up the ladder; we all need an element of control in our lives to get what we want. This is emphasised so much more now in society, by having everything we want at our fingertips with simply a click of a button, so when it comes to being unable to control something, how do we feel and react?
In my experience, it’s not that great! From minor things like plans changing or bigger events like terminal illnesses, it can lead to a rush of uneasiness, anger and then frustration.
I had some bad news earlier in the year and my first thought was why? Why us? Then came the, what can we do? This followed with anger, sadness and confusion. A feeling most have probably experienced throughout the pandemic. The issue is, however, neither I or my family could control what was happening, and whilst it was frustrating, sometimes you need to take a deep breath and step back, as when something is bigger than you and out of your control, there is nothing you can do, so to accept and release the anger, is perhaps the better way forward, right?
No matter how much anger or upset, you still cannot control what is or what will, happen. So, whilst releasing emotionally is of course the right thing to do and is needed as part of the process, to continue holding on to that emotion, the anger and upset for something you cannot control, is just going to deplete your energy unnecessarily and won’t change matters, because ultimately, you still can’t control what will happen. So perhaps there is a better way to deal with those out of control situations?
Can we take a lesson of learning to let go? Taking a step back and appreciating what we have and what we can control? Can we accept and just let the universe take us in the direction that is meant for us? I can’t answer for you, but I can say that thinking in this way helps me. I don’t always think of it immediately and trust me I go through the motions too, but eventually learning to let go and taking on the ride, is both liberating and frightening, but allows me to release the weight from my shoulders.
I heard an expression the other day which resonated with me, “holding on to pain and something you cannot control, is like holding on to your breath and never exhaling”
Take a moment and think of that, then take a big breath in and hold it, recognise the instant tension growing through your entire being, then push the breath out and notice the difference both physically and mentally. I bet your shoulders are more relaxed and you softened within an instant?
Let go of the toxic energy and invite in a more positive energy
So just think, if your breath is your emotions that you’re holding on to for something you cannot control, think how tense this may be making your mind and body? Then think of the release if you could just let these emotions go? Better? I think so.
I’m not saying we need to be emotionless, not at all, having empathy and emotions is positive, but when we hold on to negative energies that keep pulling us down, it’s not doing us any good. I believe the moment we let go of the toxic energy is the moment we free up space in our being to invite in a more positive energy, an energy that we need, an energy that we seek.
Until next time, namaste.
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This article is not intended as a substitute for the medical advice of physicians. The reader should regularly consult a physician in matters relating to his/her health and particularly with respect to any symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention.
