Upeksha: Calm and Reduce and Relieve Stress with Yoga Practice Techniques

The concept of Upeksha (equanimity) in your yoga practice means to allow yourself the freedom to practice without judging yourself. Once you can learn not to stress over the poses and your performance, you gain something valuable that you will take with your off the mat and to your family, your friends, your job, and all aspects of your life. You can be happier every day.

Upeksha, allows for a balanced, unclouded response to whatever situation you are in, in life or on the mat.

Upeksha, the fourth of the Brahmaviharas, or divine emotions that define true love in Sanskrit,directly translated, means disregard, detachment, non-involvement or indifference. But the denotation is different from the connotation. The dictionary definition of Upeksha has a negative feel to it, while the intent of Upeksha is really a positive idea.

As you practice yoga , try to let the focus move from your perfection of the poses into acceptance of how your own body interprets the poses. Each asana brings its own special feelings to your body. Allow yourself to feel the feelings. Maybe it is openness of the chest, or tightness of the hips. Acknowledge the feeling, and let it go.

This is a physical manifestation of Upeksha that we need as westerners practicing yoga. We have never learned to let go of emotions. Most of our lives, we thrive on the intensity of emotion. When a hip feels tight in a pose, we focus on not only the tightness, but the history and the reason for the tightness! We may berate ourselves- "Ugh, I can't believe I am this inflexible, this weak, this fat, name the shortcoming. This is not what yoga is about. That will not relieve stress- letting go of this will.

We need to acknowledge, "yes, it is difficult for me to get into a fully extended dancer's pose, because I have difficulty balancing on one leg," and then let it go. Truly send the thoughts of acknowledgement, and then release them and focus instead on the breath.

Upeksha incorporates self-control and modulation of feelings, rather than coldness. It is akin to the thought that "It is, what it is" in common day vernacular. It also involves mastery over emotions, a deep degree of self control of feelings, truly giving feelings their proper place in our lives. Upeksha is about the balance of knowing and feeling, but not letting it drive or derail you. It is about learning not to let the environment or the circumstances control you, or lead you into bad choices. A bad choice could be an emotional outburst at work, a meltdown with someone you love, a reaction that impacts your life in a small or large way. It can have minimal impact or it can change your life.

Failure to manage emotions can lead to high levels of stress that can become physical issues, lead to be more susceptible to illness, leave you fatigued and drained.

Upeksha means you acknowledge your situation or event, and not let it influence you. So as you practice, build the kindness to yourself that Upeksha means. Detach from the issue, from the disappointment, the discomfort, the anxiety. Just be. Love your body for the vehicle that it is, for the place that houses the divine light in you that never changes. Namaste.