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nger is a natural human emotion. While it

is not the most pleasant of feelings, it is

best to express it, as long as we can do so

constructively, and not destructively.

When we suppress it, our body suffers.

Tension takes over, blood pressure rises, and whoever or

whatever is in our path best get out of the way because no

one can bottle-cap anger for very long before blowing their

top in an inappropriate fit of rage.

Expressing anger doesn’t have to be dangerous, fear

inducing, or cause harm. It is possible to find healthy means

to move uncomfortable feelings out of our mind and body so

we can be at peace again.

The following is a guided imagery meditation designed

to help keep anger from obstructing the flow of serenity.

Practice in a safe place whenever anger starts to bite, and let

it go before it eats you up.

Do it now

Lie on your back in a comfortable position away from any hard-

surfaced objects such as a nightstand, chair, doors or walls. Take

a moment to reflect on whatever caused your angry feelings.

Imagine everything associated with your anger compressing into

a dense rock, about the size of your fist.

Next, imagine you are holding a slingshot in your left hand.

See a vivid image of this hand-catapult, with it’s rubber band and

wood handle. Now, imagine using your right hand to pick up the

dense rock that contains everything about your anger. Put the

rock in the slingshot and imagine pulling back on the rubber band.

Begin to tense your body as you imagine holding the rock in

the slingshot. Squeeze your arms, legs, core, and face muscles.

Take a deep breath and hold it in. Now, with all your might, let go

of the rock, let out a roaring exhale, spread your arms and legs

out as far as you can, and see the rock that holds everything

about your anger being flung into outer space, where it explodes

into particles of dust.

Repeat this exercise three times. On the first time, imagine the

person or event that stirred up anger being launched far from

your field of vision. The second time, imagine physical sensations

of anger being released from your body. And lastly, on the third

trial, let go of resentment. Anger is a natural human emotion, one

that you can manage properly. There is no need to deny anger.

Feel it, and then let go of it.

Jill Lawson is a writer and yoga teacher living in

south-west Colorado (jilllawsonyoga.com)

There’s one rule when it comes to anger

management: let it go. By Jill lawson

“It is possible to find healthy means

to move uncomfortable feelings out

of our mind and body so we can be

at peace again.”

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