Overcoming Stress: My Journey in Yoga Therapy & Self-Discovery
For the past four months, I’ve been a student of Yoga Therapy at S-VYASA University in Bangalore, and the experience has been truly transformative. It hasn’t been easy—I’ve faced challenges with food, accommodation, people’s behavior, and adapting to a different culture. But these very challenges have become my greatest teachers.
I’m gaining invaluable knowledge—not just about the human body, but about the deep connection between body, mind, and soul. Everything is connected. Everything.
Learning Through Struggles
Living away from home in a completely new environment has tested me in many ways. Yet, it’s exactly through these struggles that I’m learning:
- How to stay calm amidst chaos
- How to handle unfamiliar situations
- How to better understand myself
This personal growth wouldn’t have happened without discomfort. And yoga helps me see these situations not as problems, but as opportunities for inner evolution.
Yoga Is Not Just Exercise
Let me briefly explain what Yoga truly is:
Yoga does not only mean asanas or physical exercise.
Yoga means connection—of mind and body, of the self (Ātmā) with the higher self (Jīvātmā), and ultimately with universal consciousness (Paramātmā or God).
And what does this have to do with health?
The Science of Stress & Health
Our autonomic nervous system (ANS) consists of two main parts:
- Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS): The “fight or flight” system
- Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS): The “rest and digest” system
In modern life, SNS dominance is common, leading to chronic stress, which contributes to:
- Depression
- Diabetes
- Allergies
- Migraines
- Heart disease
- Autoimmune disorders
Yoga helps balance these systems by reducing SNS overactivity and activating the calming PNS. As a result, the body and mind return to a state of balance and resilience.
Real-Life Examples of Stress
From Yoga Journal, here are two illustrative examples:
Example 1: Meet Mark
Mark feels energized by stress. He thrives on intensity—but lately, he’s constantly on edge. He suffers from headaches and insomnia. Although he’s productive, his stress is harming his health.
Example 2: Meet Sue
Sue avoids stress altogether. She backs away from stressful events to stay calm. She’s simplified her life but feels emotionally disconnected and depressed—like she’s missing out on truly living.
Both Mark and Sue represent different but unhealthy stress responses. The key is to find a balanced response—a way to engage with life’s challenges without being consumed by them.
Introducing the “Challenge Response”
Rather than reacting with extreme stress (fight-or-flight), we can train our body and mind to meet challenges with calm focus. This is known as the challenge response—a healthier, more adaptive way of dealing with stress.
In this state:
- The nervous system remains active, but balanced
- The mind stays alert, but not anxious
- The body handles stress, but quickly returns to rest
Heart-Rate Variability (HRV): A Window Into Stress
Your heart rate naturally varies:
- Inhalation → SNS increases → faster heartbeat
- Exhalation → PNS increases → slower heartbeat
People with high HRV can shift between stress and calm states quickly. This means:
- More emotional resilience
- Stronger nervous system flexibility
- Lower risk of disease
People with low HRV, like Mark, stay stuck in stress mode. With yoga, this balance can be retrained.
Yoga for Nervous System Resilience
Scientific research supports yoga’s power to rebalance the nervous system:
Study 1 – Newcastle University (1997):
- 6 weeks of Hatha Yoga (including breathwork, asanas, and relaxation)
- Participants showed higher HRV and lower resting heart rate
- Aerobic exercise group showed no significant changes
Study 2 – Germany (2007):
- A single 90-minute Iyengar Yoga session increased HRV
- PNS was activated during both active and restorative poses
Conclusion: Yoga doesn’t just help you relax—it builds resilience and retrains your nervous system for long-term balance.
Why Yoga Works Better Than Exercise Alone
Unlike aerobics or gym workouts, yoga combines:
- Physical challenge
- Mindfulness
- Breath awareness
This combination teaches your body how to remain calm under pressure. For example, holding a pose like Dhanurasana (Bow Pose) or Sirsasana (Headstand) while focusing on breath becomes a way of training your internal response to stress.
As the Yoga Sutra 2.46 says:
“Sthira sukham asanam” – A yoga posture should be both steady and comfortable.
This principle—steadiness amidst intensity—is not only for the mat but for daily life.
Final Thoughts: My Takeaway
Despite the initial discomforts, my time at S-VYASA is teaching me something far deeper than yoga poses.
It’s teaching me how to live in balance.
How to deal with pressure without breaking.
How to transform stress into strength.
Stress isn’t the enemy. It’s an invitation to know ourselves more deeply. And with the right tools—especially yoga, breathwork, and awareness—we can face life with clarity, calm, and courage.
