How to Manage your Daily Energy through Yoga

Like a turtle withdrawing into its shell. It's ok to not always want to be active or engaged. At the same time, it's also ok to not want to withdraw. Becoming conscious of our energy levels at the physical, physiological, mental and emotional levels can help us understand whether we need to add or eliminate, open up or release, stimulate or surrender. When we understand this, we can modify our yoga practice (asana, pranayama, or chanting) to direct our energy appropriately.

We can do this through two types of practices - if you feel dull, lethargic, stuck - a brahmana practice can help build and expand energy. When you feel agitated, stressed, overwhelmed a langhana practice can eliminate and reduce the excess. Applying these techniques requires us to be conscious of what we need in the moment. So how do these two types of practices help us manage our energy?

Brahmana practices: expanding, opening up, warming, stimulating. Dynamic and energising practice. This can be achieved through dynamic asana practice (vinyasa) with a focus on the chest region. Includes back bends and lateral bends, as well as more standing poses. Practice Puraka pranayama - long inhalation and holding the breath after inhalation (based on your individual breath capacity). When you’re chanting use a higher pitch and louder voice.
 Langhana practices: reducing, releasing, cooling, calming. A slower pace practice, to relax and unwind. Asana can be slower paced practice, with a focus on the abdominal region. Using restful postures, like gentle forward bends and twists. More seated and lying down asanas, holding or staying in the postures longer. Try Recaka Pranayama- long exhalation and holding the breath after exhalation (based on your individual breath capacity). While chanting use a lower pitch and softer voice.

So, take a moment to reflect on what you need to do to balance your energy budget. This may change on a day-to-day basis. Do you need an active energising practice? or a practice to unwind and relax? or a balance between the two?