Understanding Relaxation
Relaxation : the absence of muscular, mental, and emotional tension or tightness; a neuro-muscular skill whereby the mind’s decision to let go of tension is obeyed; letting go of stress; the antidote to stress; being free of anxiety; feeling balanced and centred; inner peace.
Learning to relax deeply is one of the most restorative, beneficial and healing activities we could ever pursue. Yet, it is very likely the most ignored and neglected self-help tool of all.
This neglect may be because our understanding of relaxation has been blurred by associating it merely with recreation and leisure time. To most of us, taking time out to relax implies activities such as walking, visiting friends, reading, going on vacation, listening to music, watching TV, following a hobby, etc.
Such activities are excellent pursuits, as they contribute to the quality of our wellbeing, and bring depth, knowledge, fun, experience, pleasure, and meaning into our lives; they help us to unwind and momentarily take our attention away from those things in our life that may be causing us stress, anxiety and tension.
But, however rewarding leisure activities may be, they can only ever be pleasurable diversions. If, at base level, we are holding on to ingrained tightness, worry, and stress, no amount of leisure time will remove those deep-rooted physical, mental, and emotional tensions or educate us on how to move forward without them.
True relaxation - something more meaningful
True relaxation, however, is something much more meaningful and beneficial to our health and wellbeing. It is something so very far removed from leisure pursuits that it really is a misnomer to call leisure activities ‘relaxation’.
The purpose of this website, therefore, is to guide you into this realm of blissful relaxation; a realm so natural that the ability to relax is programmed into each and every one of us. Relaxation is to be found within the blueprint of our creation.
Learning the art of Relaxation is more about revealing that which is already within us
rather than imposing a newly-learned skill upon us.
Firstly, we acknowledge that there is a deep connection between mind and body; in fact they are inseparable. The interconnectedness between mind and body is so powerful that it is folly to ignore it. True relaxation, healing or transformation can only ever occur when mind and body are treated as one unit.
Practising relaxation, therefore, involves setting aside a few minutes, during which time you lie down or recline in a comfortable chair, listen to a Guided Relaxation, and learn how to release and let go of physical tension. Because mind and body operate as one unit, the mind also lets go of tension and becomes calm and relaxed. Every aspect of you comes to a state of complete rest so that you experience the total release of physical, mental, and emotional tensions.
Unlike sleep, consciousness remains awake so that a state of being is achieved whereby the body is completely soft and relaxed, the mind is at rest, but awareness remains alert.
With practice, we can train our body to completely release muscular and physical tensions, our mind to let go of worry or anxiety, and allow our spirit to soar unfettered by the chains of stress and fear.
The antidote to stress
Under stress, the body elicits the Fight-or-Flight Response, which is associated with preparing the body to physically deal with the stress, threat, or challenge presenting itself at the time. It is now recognised that the body is also capable of eliciting a counteractive physical change – the Relaxation Response – which will defuse the effects of the Fight-or-Flight reaction. The Relaxation Response, associated with deep relaxation, literally reduces the over-activity of many bodily functions, thus creating the conditions for rejuvenation, repair, and healing.
Experiencing Relaxation
Relaxation involves devoting a short period of time – anything between approximately 15 and 45 minutes - to lie or sit in a comfortable position and listen to guided instructions from a teacher or a good audio CD, such as you will find in the Shop. Frequency of practice will be determined by your needs and time available, so once a day, once a week, occasional sessions, or as frequently as you wish, will all produce results. How to Relax provides complete information, guidance, and instruction.
The breath connection
The quality and rhythm of our breathing has a strong connection with both relaxation and stress; indeed, the breath may be seen as the bridge between the two. Certain breathing patterns or habits will automatically create mental and physical tension or stress; other breath patterns will, of their own accord, release tension and induce relaxation. Awareness of the breath, and control of the breath, can therefore have enormous consequences on whether we remain stressed or not. More information on the effects of the breath on relaxation, including some exercises to help you experience those effects, is to be found under Breathing.
Release of tension,
Relaxation and peace of mind
Are the secret of transformation
Swami Satyananda Saraswati
