Learn to Relax: Easing Tension, Conquering Stress, Freeing the Self by Mike George

by Mike George

While the idea that relaxation is a skill that needs to be learned may strike some as odd, the fact remains that with today's demanding schedules and hectic paces, most people don't dedicate the time necessary to maintain their own mental well-being. Daily we abuse our bodies with stress and suffer the pain of overwork and overexhaustion. Instead of reducing our levels of stress to create tranquil work atmospheres, harmonious relationships, and healthier home lives, we pride ourselves on just how much stress we can handle. This is not the way to lead a long, happy life; learning to "quiet the spirit and calm the mind" is, and Mike George teaches just that in this collection of wisdom, Learn to Relax. Drawing from numerous Eastern traditions--including yoga, shiatsu, Taoism, and Zen Buddhism--George presents a compilation of essays, illustrations, and quotes to teach you how to relax. There was a time, he points out, "when the quality of being was more important than the quantity of doing--when people themselves were human beings rather than human 'doings.'" We can regain the lost peace of that long-gone time. But don't expect a dry self-help manual; George gives more than just advice. Included in his book are 25 exercises to help you immediately implement the techniques he offers. The topics he covers include breathing, massage, emotional well-being, sleep enhancement, visualization, and time management.

Learn to Relax is as soothing to read as it is to follow. Wonderfully enriched by its colorful pages and the stunning illustrations that adorn every page, the book is so beautifully presented that the simple act of flipping through the pages, pausing to read the quotes and to glance at the pictures, may help you begin to unwind. --Jenny Brown

Genres: Self Help, Psychology, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Health

Paperback

First published May 1, 1998

Reviews

[Socrate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trăim într-o lume a schimbărilor, în care sunt cultivate îndoiala, nesiguranţa şi anxietatea. În timp ce unele persoane consideră că stresul este necesar pentru a atinge performanţe maxime, pentru mult mai multă lume stresul este cauza unor boli împovărătoare.
În urmă cu numai o sută şi ceva de ani, atacul de cord (una dintre cele mai grave boli provocate de stres) era doar o ciudăţenie medicală. Oare pentru că acum un secol ne era mult mai uşor să ne relaxăm? În acele timpuri, calitatea vieţii era mai importantă decât cantitatea de lucruri făcute – iar oamenii erau mai degrabă fiinţe decât „înfăptuitori“.
Nu putem călători înapoi în timp, în schimb, putem învăţa să ne reclădim un stil de viaţă mult mai sănătos şi mai relaxant, prin care să regăsim ceva din acea pace pierdută. Trebuie doar să vrem, iată singura condiţie. La începutul anilor 1980, am început să fiu foarte stresat. În perioada aceea nu-l numeam stres, îi spuneam, pur şi simplu, durere. Lucram până la ore târzii, şapte zile pe săptămână, împins de termenele de predare presante. Relaţiile mele erau departe de a fi armonioase, locul de muncă nu-mi aducea nici o satisfacţie, viaţa mi se părea adesea lipsită de sens
şi nu se ivea nici o lumină la capătul tunelului.

[Monique · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a pleasant book. While it doesn't offer any in-depth ways to 'learn to relax', it's a good introduction to a variety of paths available for those interested. After reading it, you've got some practical ideas and some basis for further reading. I bought this book because I liked the 'feel' of it, because the layout and writing style appealed to me, and on that front it certainly deliverd. The only problem I have with it are the exercises. They're described in such a short, matter-of-fact fashion, that I don't feel there's quite enough guidance to actually do them. Too much is left to the discipline and insight of the reader.

[William Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked some of the exercises this book gave for relaxation and calming. It's especially relevant today with all of the stress we are all facing. Though I have been practicing Eastern Meditation for many years (based on my martial arts training), it's always good to get a new perspective on mindfulness, relaxation and breathing. If you haven't tried any of these methods before, then this book is worth a read. The illustrations and layout make it easy to understand and enjoyable to read.

[Bo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Going through my bookshelves while sheltering in place. This might be one of those unexpected gems. Or maybe it's just the right kind of book for these times. The visualizations, unusual and rather perfect for my current state of mind, felt like a breath of calm and are worthy of 5 stars.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this book, it's practically my bible. It has wonderful exercises to help deal with stress. If I could, I would buy a copy for everyone I know..and that's a lot of people.

[Tom Bentley · Rating 3 out of 5]

It feels somewhat unfair to give this book only three stars, because it does offer some varied and useful techniques (and historical approaches) to ease stress and anxiety. But because me, being an anxious sort, have been meditating for years and have read a good deal about relaxation techniques—of which there is a wealth of info about online—a fair amount of this material seems a bit dated (even though, ironically, many of its citations are timeless).

Regardless, some good exercises, covering a range of relaxation techniques and thoughts on easing stress.

[My Linh · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book truly eases tensions - because it’s absolute nonsense. Reading it felt like listening to the kind of deep, philosophical conversations my friends and I had when we were 12, convinced we had life all figured out.

I highly recommend the audiobook over reading it. Play it on your way home after a long day at work, but manage your expectations—this isn’t a book to take seriously. Just listen for fun.

That said, it does have one redeeming quality: it constantly reminds us that our worth is never tied to external, superficial things. And that’s always a good message to hear.

[Suzan · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the cover to the layout of the book, it is so relaxing. This book is not a play-by-play way to learn to relax. It is more of an eye-opening suggestion of how to look at building your own path to relax. It does have practical exercises, which you can do and easily personalize. I would recommend this to anyone.

[Christine Kayser · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some of it was interesting, but I didn't feel like I really learned anything new.

[Tristan Searle · Rating 5 out of 5]

“And every time we arrive at the future, we shall find that it was waiting for us all along — primed to receive us by all that we had thought, said and done in the past.” (pg. 153)

[Caroline Deforche · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very superficial and full of casual fluff. Ideas such as that everyone has ‘unlimited potential’ within them, are the very source of a lot of stress.

[Kimberly Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy to follow guidelines.....chapters include:
Roads to Relaxation:
Stillness Breath & Calm:
Body at Rest and in Motion:
Self and relationship:
Mind Power:

Life in compared to driving on a super highway & the book focuses on slowing down and getting there with mindfulness of the journey.

"We often hear of people breaking down from overwork. But in nine out of ten cases they are really suffering from worry or over anxiety."

"Your playing small doesn't serve you. There in nothing enlightened about shrinking" Nelson Mandala

The illustrations are very plain an unadorned, but I prefer simpler texts...less explanation & discussion.

[Jennifer Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The exercises in this book are eye opening. It got me through a very rough time in my life. If you have a tendency to live life "always on" some day it can be a super tool to help you learn to decompress. Great techniques to do before bed, at a stoplight, or in your office..basically whenever you need to relax.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an easy read which is perfect if you have trouble relaxing. It includes meditations, visualizations and affirmations to help reprogram your response to stress and mindfully make choices to alleviate tension.

[Jonathan De La Paz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Descriptive, Esoteric, and holistic are few of the words I would use to describe this book. Included are great exercises for the stressed person.
Practical book that I highly recommend to any one looking to unwind and loosen up from being apart of such a hectic work-based society.

[Gunner Guidry · Rating 1 out of 5]

i already know that stuff.....read it if youre 21

[Tracy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Seriously. People need a book for this????

[Cherie Kephart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I need this book more than I'd like to admit. Lovely images, beautiful ideas on how to relax more.

[Patarapol Withayasakpunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good and helpful, but what is missing is the suggested reading list, or something to keep going after finishing the book.