ANXIETY has now become a word we tend to hear quite often. So much so, that 3 out of 10 friends experience anxiety on a daily basis.
In fact, I had a terrible anxiety attack about 3 years ago. I sought the help of a professional without knowing the difference between a physiologist and a psychiatrist.
I was prescribed a lot of unnecessary medication, and only after some research on my part did I discover that the meds I was given were for suicidal tendencies.
As I couldn’t sleep at night ─ I would break out in sweats whenever I tried to fall asleep ─ I was diagnosed with major anxiety.
I was told to continue my medication, and if I planned to stop, I should not do it abruptly ─ I had to progressively taper down my meds.
As a result of my medication, I was able to fall asleep but during the day, I felt like a zombie because I wasn’t functioning at all.
I was not present in my classes and whenever I sang, I felt like I was just reading out my lyrics; nothing came from the heart and I was feeling absolutely miserable.
This was around the same time that I received the award for Best Yogi of Malaysia from Yoga Journal.
I recall accepting the award, going backstage and breaking down, shaking. I remember having this particular thought vividly in my mind: ‘Atilia! What is wrong with you? You are stronger than this!’
Although people acknowledge that you may be the best at what you do, you know you are not, and I knew I needed to do something about it!
I revisited some magical yoga poses and I started practising what I preached by being honest about my practice.
At the time, I remember feeling anxious and overwhelmed; these poses calmed me down and helped me centre myself.
I embraced my anxiety wholeheartedly and used these poses to accept, and be one, with my state of mind.
For instance, I started looking forward to my savasana ─ an excellent pose to rest the body and the mind; just try not to fall asleep, though.
Usually, anxiety starts to brew when we find ourselves on the go with no time to rest (that is so me).
Let us spend a few minutes and try out the following poses:
• Big Toe Pose
• Bound Angel Pose
• Bow Pose
• Bridge Pose
• Camel Pose
• Cat Pose
• Cow Pose
• Fish Pose
Relax, take a few deep breaths and maybe we can shift from being in a not-so-nice mental state to a better and brighter state of mind. ─ The Vibes, 27 January, 2021
