Situation "Meltdown"

Scene:  Command center of a submarine, middle of the Indian Ocean, depth 1500 feet.
Scenario:  Routine mission, all systems appear to be functioning normally, just a "day in the life", when...
Action:  A *ping* is heard in the command center and a tiny *blip* slings across the green screen.  The sonar officer checks the status of the equipment.

"Everything appears to be functioning normally", he reports matter-of-factly to the Commanding Officer.  For a moment, all attention is focused on the sonar screen waiting to see if another *blip* occurs.  Eyebrow raised, the XO issues the order.   "Run routine diagnostics and report."

"Acknowledged.  Sir, pressure in tanks appear to be at critical levels and rising.  All missiles are engaged and hot.   We appear to be at full alert and on the verge of an imminent meltdown!!  There were no warnings.  The command center was not notified that there was a "situation" in progress.  Orders, sir, we need orders now!"

And then, the command that the crew dreads:  "EMERGENCY BLOW...NOW!"  aahh-ooogga  aahh-ooogga  <red lights circle the control room as a flurry of activity begins>  With one last hesitation, the sonar officer hits the button and with a rapid blow, releases all ballast from the tanks.  The result is an immediate, rapid ascent and an impressive display of waterworks as the sub suddenly breaches the surface of the normally placid blue sea.

End Scene.

And that, my friends, is how an Emotional Meltdown occurs.  Seemingly out of the blue, it is really the result of an escalation of emotions that are being managed below the surface.  As little things come up, we poke a cork into the tiny leaks as they spring up.  And the internal pressure starts to build.  We tell ourselves that we can handle it...it will settle down in time.  Then, something (or somethings) pops up on another front...at work or at home or in a relationship or somewhere else in our life.  Another cork and the pressure gauge goes up.  Symptoms that "somethings up" get brushed aside.  *ping* Not sleeping well = lots of things to do.  *blip* Headache = lots to think about.  *ping*blip* Nervous stomach = just anxious about trying something new.

Yoga is about aligning our inner and outer selves.  Asana practice links our physical body with our emotions. I first experienced this link when doing "Torturasana" (as we fondly call the Intense and Torturous Quad Stretch at the Wall) and the emotions of agitation and anger that came up for me.  I had noticed in Savasana before...to some extent...when I would feel anxious and my mind would wind its way through a maze to find the source.  But this time, once the corks started popping out, baby, there was no stuffing them back in (not that I didn't give it a completely ineffective try).  Grace lead me to a time and place to be wrapped in love and support when *splat* I hit the wall with an "impressive display of waterworks".  That's what yoga gives us.  Support that needs no thanks.  Friends that mop up the waterworks.  Warm hugs that pop the corks at just the right time and in just the right place to help us get through something we didn't know how to manage through on our own.  Yoga shows us the way.

Namaste