Stress Relief With Yoga

See also: Pilates and Yoga

When you decide to start practising yoga for stress relief, or for any other reason, you may start out full of enthusiasm, both for your yoga classes and home yoga practise. As with any new activity which requires learning at effort, many people falter along the way. There are 9 recognised yoga obstacles which are discussed in the article below.

Yoga Obstacles

In order to make the most out of yoga, and obtain maximum benefit, you need to be aware of the obstacles that will attempt to disrupt your journey. These difficulties are familiar to experienced yoga practitioners, who recognize that these obstacles can cause detours along the way for those who seek the fulfilment of yoga.

Yoga has nine major obstacles that are widely recognized:

Yoga Obstacle 1 - Vyadhi

This first yoga obstacle refers to mental or physical illness. Practicing yoga when your health is not good, for whatever reason, is going to be more difficult for you. Following a well balanced and healthy life style, while practising yoga, will ensure the Vyadhi obstacle is overcome.

Yoga Obstacle 2 - Styana

The next significant obstacle on the yoga journey is an advanced state of apathy. This apathy diminishes your willingness to commit to your responsibilities. It can lead to neglect and a reluctance to practise yoga in the way it needs to be practised in order to exploit its full potential.

Yoga Obstacle 3 - Sanshaya

Another yoga obstacle it is important to take into account concerns doubting the benefits of practicing yoga at all. This problem can arise especially when in your own self esteem is low. This can lead to a detour from your original yoga goals, and this can make you more susceptible to outside interference.

Yoga Obstacle 4 - Pramada

The 4th yoga obstacle, Pramada, occurs when lack of persistence and will tries to take hold. Yoga, with its combination of arts and sciences, requires a unique approach. If you practice yoga without the proper emotional and mental attitudes, you may turn the positive aspects of yoga into negative ones.

Yoga Obstacle 5 - Alasya

You will not receive yoga’s full benefits if you have a lazy and inert state of mind and body. Many people have a hard time dealing with their own will power, and this creates the perfect conditions for this obstacle to appear. The road to success is tough most of the time, and strong will power can support you along the way. A passive approach, though, will almost certainly lead to a slow and ineffective advance.

Yoga Obstacle 6 - Avirati

Physical objects hold a magnetic attraction to the majority of people. Yoga needs you to let go of these ropes that tie you to the material world and make progress in the realm of the spirit. Removing the weight of physical things is vital while practicing yoga.

Yoga Obstacle 7 - Bhrantidarshan

If you misunderstand the path you are taking while practising yoga, it can lead to disappointment. You can counter the Bhrantidarshan obstacle by keeping your hopes in close contact with reality.

Yoga Obstacle 8 - Alabdha-bhumikatva 

This yoga obstacle, Alabdha-bhumikatva, often arises because we are victims of our own discouragement. When a failure occurs we fall into a state of self-deprecation, accompanied by pessimism. Failing to reach a step on your road to achieving your ideal can lead to aggravated forms of this yoga obstacle.

Yoga Obstacle 9 - Anawasthitatwa 

If your yoga practise is poor, the final obstacle can result and that can be accompanied by not being able to hold a higher level of consciousness. This can be frustrating and result in in your own disappointment.

It is possible to overcome these yoga obstacles; if you have a yoga instructor, they will assure you of that and encourage you too. You can overcome the obstacles by focusing on one single element at a time. You must not allow any obstacle to grow in power. Your strong will and commitment, coupled with your acute awareness of their existence, will aid you in dealing with these 9 yoga obstacles, and smooth the path for your journey.