Inspire Yoga

We have all heard that its good to meditate , but do you know why? If you are convinced by the scientific facts behind meditation chances are you are more likely to dedicate consistent time towards the practice. Let’s start with a reflection, are you truly happy? Would your life to be more joyful and peaceful? In the modern day, we are plagued with the notion that more is better. That if we emulate a certain lifestyle, acquire certain possessions, embody a certain fashion it will lead us to happiness. Living in a fast-paced city of Hong Kong, with a sensory overload of stimulus and advertisements we are bombarded with a value that we need ‘x’ to feel better. That somehow right now, as we are, we are not enough. This sense of unworthiness is deep-rooted in our society, take a look at the rising rates of anxiety and suicide amidst the climb in the standard of living, the amenities, the healthcare, the education, the availability of food and water. With more the basic needs provide...

In today’s busy pace of life, we can be so consumed by our own goals that time and energy needs to be consciously invested to ensure we stay healthy, emotionally, physically and mentally. When we are off kilter a main aspect of our life that usually help to support and sustain us begins to deteriorate- our relationships. Have you noticed in times of stress and pressure you have snapped at your partner only to regret your hasty actions? Or that you are so focused on yourself that you forget to even ask them about their day? Or that your energy is zapped from the day that the thought of physical intimacy is tiring?   You are not alone, these are all signs of stress causing an imbalance in our emotional wellbeing. When we are chronically stressed, overstimulated by the influx of information and bombarded with daily demands we operate from a state of emergency. Physiologically our body is in the fight-or-flight response more, focusing on immediate threats, directing energy only...

Before we can solve the problem, first we have to understand what stress is and why we urgently need to learn about its role in our society. The Oxford dictionary definition of stress is: a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances. Dating back to our caveman ancestors, stress was a survival mechanism to physically respond to danger. When stressed, the body thinks it’s under attack and adopts a ‘fight or flight’ mode releasing a complex mix of hormones and chemicals into the bloodstream such as cortisol and adrenaline. The rush of energy from increased levels of cortisol causes an agitated or aggressive response when stressed. Adrenaline primes the body for action, blood flow is redirected to the muscles in preparation to run away from danger, but now that the threat is more the thought of a deadline rather than an approaching tiger the lack of physical activity sustains the stress levels over time and causes muscle stiffnes...