Hello July
Lately, I’ve found it nearly impossible to get through the day without encountering anger—either from within myself or someone else. Perhaps this has always been the case. Fear for a child might have shown up as anger. Impatience may have erupted unexpectedly. But those moments used to be brief. Now, these flare-ups of anger seem more frequent, and they linger longer. Thankfully, yoga offers some guidance.
Strong negative emotions—like anger—trigger a physical response in the nervous system, which reacts as if there’s an immediate threat. This is known as the "fight, flight, or freeze" response. In each case, the body tenses, preparing to either confront, escape, or shut down. If there is real danger, this reaction is appropriate. But often, it’s triggered by frustration, irritation, or perceived fear rather than an actual threat.
Chronic activation of this stress response can impair the brain’s cognitive functions, while the emotional center, the amygdala, becomes more dominant. We become more reactive, less logical.
Yoga philosophy encourages us to reflect on the opposite of these negative impulses. In Sutra 2.33, Patanjali offers this simple but powerful instruction: “When disturbed by negative thoughts, cultivate the opposite.” At first, this might seem superficial. But intentionally shifting your focus to something that brings calm begins to reset your internal state.
Anger harms us by creating pain and inner disturbance. It’s a kind of self-inflicted violence, a form of greed that imposes negativity onto others. Choosing to counteract it is not about denial or pacification—it’s about creating distance through emotional and mental detachment.
When we find calm, we can better determine the underlying cause of the reaction. This happens through the practice of discrimination (viveka) in asana, pranayama, and meditation. For example, when your mind is gripped by fear, worry, or resentment during practice, you might push through a posture. But if you can step back, allowing the body to move without force, insight can arise. Through this distance, you may be able to recognize why your reaction was so strong.
Experiencing intense emotion is part of being human. The goal isn’t to muffle our feelings, but to regulate them for our own well-being and the well-being of those around us.