Yoga Practices to Soothe Fear and Anxiety Part I

Yoga Practices to Soothe Fear and Anxiety 
Part I
by Laura Spaulding

Above is a Chola period early 11th century bronze sculpture of Shiva, Parvati and Skanda. Shiva is often called Adiyogi, the primordial yoga practitioner. His rear right hand holds a battle axe signifying authority and the destruction of ego, left rear hand is a leaping deer representing his ability to restrain chanchalata - the nature of the restless wandering mind. The forward left hand is in Varada mudra, bestowing boons and blessings, and the right forward hand is in Abhaya mudra, granting fearlessness. Parvati is Shiva's feminine aspect.  They are two sides of the same Being.  Her right hand holds a banana blossom which symbolizes abundance and fertility and her left hand is in Shuni mudra, which indicates patience and discernment. Their posture is open and welcoming, one foot of each is touching the earth which indicates their approachability. Their faces are serene and peaceful. 

This is an eloquent visual discourse on yoga created at a time when few could read or write and the temple sculptures, of which this is one, conveyed the essential teachings. We know it is a temple sculpture by the rings at the sides which are for carrying poles. The deities were experienced as vibrant, living, conscious beings.  They were carried in processions so that people could see them, and they could see their people.

This article is about how yoga creates homeostasis in the body-mind-sensory complex. Life takes us out of balance, and yoga brings us back into balance. These images give us important clues about how yoga has helped human beings overcome trauma for millennia.

Polyvagal Theory

Polyvagal theory as theorized by Stephen Porges, a researcher at University of Maryland and then University of North Carolina, introduced a theory of the biology of safety and danger. This approach combined the physiology of our reactions plus the effects of social relationships. Polyvagal included more than just “fight or flight” of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) vs. "rest and relaxation" of the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS).  “Being able to feel safe with other people is probably the single most important aspect of mental health; safe connections are fundamental to meaningful and satisfying lives.” (The Body Keeps the Score, Bessel Van Der Kolk, Penguin Books, 2014, page 81). (Herein afterreferred to as BVKD.)

This is not merely being in the presence of others, but being seen and heard.  There must be reciprocity. Darshan is a Sanskrit word which means to see or be in the presence of the Divine.  The essence of darshan is not only that the devotee sees the divine, but is also seen back. There must be reciprocity. 

During the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, the above confrontation occurred. Samantha Francine said, "As a child, I grew up with a single white father and who was originally from Chicago. He taught us from a young age that things were going to be different for us just because of the color of our skin. One of the things he use to remind us constantly was that 'no matter the threat, always look them in the eye so they have to acknowledge you're human."

She later wrote that her father passed away 16 years ago this month (June, 2020), but that his words were in her head when she was confronted with this moment. 

"When I lifted up my glasses, he saw me. I saw him. He was acting out fear, I know that. I hold no malice in my heart for this man. I hope this moment will soften him. I hope he will be changed. But even if he isn't, I am." (https://www.cbsnews.com/news/protester-samantha-francine-angry-white-man/)

Polyvagal Theory Proposes Three Levels of Safety

Social Engagement - our support system from people around us, when that fails...

Fight or flight - run away or fight back, when that fails...

Freeze or Collapse - if trapped and unable to flee or fight, the organism shuts down.

In Celtic lore, fairyland is not the realm of Disney-movie Tinkerbells. Fairyland is a frightening and dangerous place in which to be entrapped. The meaning of the word Fey is Scottish in origin and means "fated to die or to be at the point of death". As explained by Hal Moore, author of We Were Soldiers Once... and Young, fey means to lose the will to live, which happens to soldiers in battle. The system is overwhelmed... 

Part II is coming.