Yoga For Anger

Life has its ups and downs, even during a single day our emotions can seem like they are riding on a veritable roller coaster

In the yoga sutras Patanjali says "Pain and suffering that has not yet manifested can and is to be avoided"

Anger can be the result of hurt pride, of unreasonable expectations, or of repeated hostile fantasies. Besides getting our way, we may unconsciously use anger to blame others for our own shortcomings, to justify oppressing others, to boost our own sagging egos, to conceal other feelings, and to handle other emotions (as when we become aggressive when we are afraid).

Anger is feeling mad in response to frustration or injury. You don't like what has happened and usually you'd like to get revenge. Anger is an emotional-physiological-cognitive internal state; it is separate from the behavior it might prompt.

Direct behavioral signs:

1.Assaultive: physical and verbal cruelty, rage, slapping, shoving, kicking, hitting, threaten with a knife or gun, etc.
2.Aggression: overly critical, fault finding, name-calling, accusing someone of having immoral or despicable traits or motives, nagging, whining, sarcasm, prejudice, flashes of temper.
3.Hurtful: malicious gossip, stealing, trouble-making.
4.Rebellious: anti-social behavior, open defiance, refusal to talk.

Direct verbal or cognitive signs:

1.Open hatred and insults: "I hate your guts;" "I'm really mad;" "You're so damn stupid."
2.Contempt and disgust: "You're a selfish SOB;" "You are a spineless wimp, you'll never amount to anything."
3.Suspicious: "You haven't been fair;" "You cheated!"
4.Blaming: "They have been trying to cause me trouble."
5.I don't get the respect I deserve: "They just don't respect the owner (or boss or teacher or doctor) any more."
6.Revengeful: "I wish I could really hurt him."

Thinly veiled behavioral signs:

1.Distrustful, skeptical.
2.Argumentative, irritable, indirectly challenging.
3.Resentful, jealous, envious.
4.Disruptive, uncooperative, or distracting actions.
5.Unforgiving or unsympathetic attitude.
6.Sulky, sullen, pouting.
7.Passively resistant, interferes with progress.
8.Given to sarcasm, cynical humor, and teasing.
9.Judgmental, has a superior or holier-than-thou attitude.

Read more on the Yoga technique for anger on the Next Page.