Learn to Relax : A Practical Guide to Easing Tension and Conquering Stress - Softcover

George, Mike

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0811819086 ISBN 13: 9780811819084

Publisher: Chronicle Books, 1998

Synopsis

We all need to relax. If only it were as easy as it sounds! Now, with this beautifully illustrated and practical volume, anyone can learn to let go. Offering almost 30 ingenious and easy-to-do exercises tailor-made for busy people, plus original illustrations to aid visualization and a friendly text that's low on jargon, Learn to Relax presents effective ways to ease tension at work, at home, or on the road. Stress counselor Mike George suggests simple techniques for breathing, massage, anxiety control, time management, sleep enrichment, detachment, and meditation, all designed to calm the mind. Drawn from both Eastern and Western traditions, this book's easy yet highly effective strategies reveal how we can put problems in perspective, deepen self-awareness, and celebrate the positive in life. Practical and inspirational in the style of Teach Yourself to Dream, Learn to Relax is the only accessible illustrated relaxation book on the market -- and an indispensable guide for anyone who wants to rediscover the essential art of relaxation.

About this title

Review:

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

About the Author:

Mike George is a renowned teacher of meditation and stress consultant who lectures around the world, and for clients such as General Motors and Mitsubishi. He lives in the United Kingdom.

About this edition

• Publisher: Chronicle Books
• Publication date: 1998
• ISBN 10: 0811819086
• ISBN 13: 9780811819084
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 160