When you leave your Yoga class, you go out into the real world. Maybe someone says something rude, you get cut off on the highway, or you feel someone is taking advantage of your good nature. It is only human to feel a need for retribution, if an injustice has been done to you; but at what cost to you?



The cost of carrying a grudge causes you stress, anxiety, and wears on your health. A person who carries the need for revenge, over a long period of time, is also carrying a huge burden. Revenge is a "slow burning" form of anger and hatred, which becomes our personal baggage. The pain of carrying a grudge can ruin mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health.

So, how can Yoga help you in this situation? Yoga has many ways to purge tension, stress, and anxiety, from the body and mind. One method might be to practice a small sequence of physically-challenging Asanas and focus on Ujjayi Pranayama.

As you inhale, draw forgiveness into your being. As you exhale, release your anger, tension, and frustration. You should practice this for a minimum of twenty minutes. A standing series, Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskar), or any sequence of postures, which you find challenging, is good enough.

Some people claim that forgiving another person is very difficult, but to hold a grudge, and wait for revenge, is even more difficult. It takes so much energy, and is such a strain on your health, to maintain angry thoughts, over a long period of time. It only makes sense to let go of resentment for your own health.

We are in control of the entire situation. Forgiveness is a virtue, and you can easily grant pardon for a fault. We forgive our pets, children, friends, and family members, for their imperfections. After all, none of us is perfect.

Forgiveness is as abundant as air, and eventually, it should come from the heart. Even though logic tells you to quit bearing a grudge, your heart might desire a little revenge. Usually, the heart is accurate, but in matters of anger and revenge, let logical thoughts dictate your actions.

Within Yogic philosophy, are many solid principles and virtues, which create happiness and well-being. Forgiving, acts of loving kindness, tolerance, and mercy, are universal principles, which improve the lives of everyone who practices them.

Taking positive action is much more powerful than talking about it. We do not need to wish for the ability to forgive, perform acts of loving kindness, become tolerant, or show mercy. All we have to do is practice these principles - daily.

Copyright 2007 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications