Yoga, a Holistic Approach to Stress Management

By Jah-Xolani Radebe

Are you always tired even after a full night’s sleep? Do you suffer from chronic back pain, migraines or a low sex drive? The pressures of today’s fast-paced life affect everyone, from students to parents, those in the workplace and the unemployed or retired. Too much stress can be fatal for your health whatever your role in society.

Stress has a disastrous effect on the immune system and can be a major cause of unhealthy relationships or serious health problems. Psychoneuroimmunology is the science that stipulates new ways to control emotional damage and protect our bodies from illness.

It is important to take care of our bodies and relax. This book will show you how yoga’s mindfulness is relevant in contemporary society. Through this book, you will learn simple techniques that can be used by anyone. Yoga is a way of life rather than a religion. Its philosophy and practise can transform people’s lives by teaching a new way of thinking and change their view about the world surrounding them.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jah-Xolani Radebe
• Release date: Jan 5, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005046552

Book preview

Yoga, A Holistic Approach to Stress Management

Jah-Xolani Radebe

Copyright © 2021 Jah-Xolani Radebe

First edition 2021

Published by Jah-Xolani Radebe Publishing at Smashwords

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system without permission from the copyright holder.

The Author has made every effort to trace and acknowledge sources/resources/individuals. In the event that any images/information have been incorrectly attributed or credited, the Author will be pleased to rectify these omissions at the earliest opportunity.

Published by Jah-Xolani Radebe using Reach Publishers’ services,

P O Box 1384, Wandsbeck, South Africa, 3631

Edited by Kevin Turner for Reach Publishers

Cover designed by Reach Publishers

Website: www.reachpublishers.org

E-mail: [e-mail]

Jah-Xolani Radebe

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Table of Contents

Acknowledgements

Author’s Note

Preface

Introduction

Know Your Stress

Improving Self-Care Using Chanting and Affirmations

The Essence of Food and Stress

Recline for Emotional Harmony and Re-discover SensualContentment

Spirituality of Health and Healing

Rest to Get the Best

References

Glossary

Acknowledgements

My deepest gratitude goes to Maria and Diego, their spiritual, social and intellectual guidance has made this project a reality. I am indebted to Inner Wellness Studio for giving me institutional refuge and for opening their home to provide me with a research enabling environment.

I have much love and appreciation for the support and courage of my brothers and sisters. Especially Simphiwe Mthethwa, Coach Nathi Makhathini, Phumlani Mhlongo, Popo, Ndumiso Bhengy Mhlongo, Rekha and Preetesh, Crishna Ashford of Eagleview Studio, Julie, Mbongeni, UNathi, Welile Mtshizana, Thabisile Ngidi, Nontando Myeza, Zebusiso Zee Khanyile, Sandile Ziggy, Priest Mojah of the Bobo Ashanti, Sifu Black Fox Dlamini, Sisi Zinthle Zuma, Andile Ndimande, Nkosikazi Nokuthula, Jah Philasande and Jah Zola, Khonzinkosi Memela, USgujana Lindokuhle, Sanele Mtolo, Dr Sazi Dlamini, Yolanda, Valentina Tsukudu, Empress Miriam Smith, Nonhle Mkhize, Sne Thabethe, Sphe and Sthe.

I give thanks for the love and support over the years from my family: Aunty Sduda Pretty Radebe, My Mother Thembi Ngubo, Nontokozo Ngubo, Maka Sandie Thembeni Bhengu, Mum Ntando and Nqubekos Gogo.

A special thanks goes to my partner, Vuyiswa, who helped me to create this project and contextualise yoga as a holistic integrated solution for stress. My communion with her has transformed me into a better person in all aspects. I can’t forget my two stars, Nqubeko Makhathini and Iyanu-Alowa Mtshizane; this book dedicated to you.

I would love to pass on my deeper gratitude to all the people who have always supported me in Yoga, from students to teachers. They have given me the best they can and apologised when there is nothing to offer.

I am particularly grateful to the Rastafarians, who always support positivity. Give thanks for all good things done and said Most High Jahovia Jah Rastafari. One Love.

Author’s Note

The exercises in this book are not intended as a replacement for medical treatment. In the case of medical concern, kindly consult a medical doctor. The opinions expressed in this book are the author’s own and have grown out of the author’s personal experiences and research. The author has more than fifteen years of experience in practising yoga as well as in researching and understanding interpretations gathered to form a new perspective that will benefit beginners in yoga.

It is his hope that this book will make a contribution to the understanding of yoga as it enters the new information age. He also hopes and prays that this material serves to inspire. Especially for people to look within the self and learn to cultivate and redefine personal energy.

This book is not based on race matters but seeks to help people who see yoga as a strange concept. To some people, yoga and health are a new concept and it is my wish that this book will help them to find out more about yoga and begin to practise. If you are a yoga practitioner, I want the book to help you extend and continue your work further.

The author most sincerely hopes that this book inspires you to find out more healthy ways to cope with stress, and to begin to practise and to cultivate and develop the most essential part of living to encourage a positive life.

Preface

We all want nice things, but what about the stress that comes along with new things? It’s no lie, the pressures of modern life cause stress, and as stress grows, medical professionals tend to prescribe drugs to aid relaxation and ‘ring-fencing’ stress. We all seek to bulletproof our lives. My prescription as a student teacher is to Make Yourself Your Number One. If we meditate upon the gurus’ concept of who our real partner is, our small acts of self-care allow great effects to emerge. Self-love, self-preservation, a sense of self-worth and making the changing to improve our lives demands little of us.

Today, we all need ways and means to stress-proof our lives. We all have time, and we can make conscious choices about how we spend our time. It is important to notice how much rest and how much activity we do; we can all reflect each day and see where we are and how we feel. Honestly question yourself about what is needed to attain balance. Take time to reflect upon the questions and answers. The science that backs up yoga simply asks and answers the great question: who are we?

When we begin the practice of yoga, we begin with the knowledge and experience that we have already accumulated. Sometimes we become disappointed and frustrated, and we are likely to give up when we don’t reach the depths that we can imagine we should experience in yoga. So, it is hard to determine how much energy we need to evolve in our practice of self-care and self-development. Most people give up due to an unwillingness to tune in to and learn from those who are wiser. Most people don’t like that the stability of yoga takes time to develop, and most of us are socialised to believe that we don’t have time.

This book seeks to promote health, healing and wellness through the restorative practice of yoga. In