Overcoming Fatigue (Blog Post)

(October 2021) Photos TBC

Fatigue is something I’ve faced over the last 5 years. In this article I will share how I’ve been able to overcome fatigue using a variety of tools. This article will also feature Guy Brickley, Iyengar Yoga Teacher and friend. In my experience, fatigue is brought about by: lack of sleep, working too much and lack of self-care. Yoga is a tool in which I use everyday- it is a blessing that I am embodying Yoga as it serves me so greatly in maintaining general stability. Nature is an additional tool which provides me with therapeutic benefits beyond words and thirdly, communication for processing what isn’t going well. 

I diagnosed myself in 2016 with adrenal fatigue. I was working on a travel and lifestyle platform with two awesome colleagues. I’d work until the early hours of the morning a few days a week. Fortunately the fatigue didn’t hit me too hard, but I was conscious enough to know I needed to take action. I booked a week in Greece and took some supplements recommended by a local health food shop. 

In 2019, I had many months off work due to being poorly. I was healing a couple of wounds but fatigue certainly was my underlying state. And now, I recently came to realise I have been fatigued for a lengthy period of time due to overworking. 

Overcoming fatigue has been an exploration as well as a need. I will begin with how Yoga has helped me do the above. Yoga poses carry their function and their benefits but this is just the surface. My teachers Richard and Kirsten Agar Ward have guided me to realise that each and every Yoga pose, or more correctly, asana, carries a deeper layer of therapy without it necessarily being the intention of the asana. In other words, I can confidently know that when I walk into the studio for a practise, I will be therapised, I will be treating my fatigue, while practising perhaps in a way that isn’t simply to overcome fatigue. Now, in terms of which asanas to practise, I will begin with Savasana. In theory, savasana is usually only practised at the end of a sequence. Geeta Iyengar however said in her book ‘A Gem For Women’ that savasana can be practised whenever it is needed. If getting some profound restorative rest is possible, why shouldn’t it be done before beginning a more ‘typical’ sequence or if only ten minutes are spare? 

      Weighted Savasana

In addition to this Savasana, Guruji’s ( BKS Iyengar’s) Emotional Stability Sequence (found at the back of the inspiring ‘Light on Life’ book- has been key. Guy will explore this with photos to support. 

First of all thanks to Dom for kindly asking me to contribute to this article and for asking for my opinion. I can only offer some knowledge based on the limited experience that I have on this topic. All of my knowledge of yoga comes from BKS Iyengar and his teachings and you can find all of his wisdom in his books and through his trained teachers. 

As I’m writing this I am with my four month old son at home in London experiencing the wonderful joys of being a new parent. I also work full time as a primary school teacher and I can safely say that I have never experienced a time when I have slept so little or had so few opportunities to have some time to myself. Yoga practice and teaching has proved invaluable with helping me to deal with this period in my life and as such I’m offering a few suggestions of postures (asanas) that could help with fatigue. 

I want to offer my sincere gratitude to my senior teacher and mentor Alaric Newcombe, who I have been practicing yoga with for over 10 years. Having a teacher to check in with and help guide your practice is such an important way of supporting your own practice. My yoga students have also been an incredible support throughout early parenthood, helping me continue to teach yoga and retain some structure in my life. 

As the Emotional Stability Sequence begins: the first posture I would suggest is Adho Mukha Svanasana. Starting your practice with downward dog pose can instantly bring a quietness to your mind, especially when you support the head. Fatigue in my experience is often rooted in the head and brain. If you have ropes, doing this pose in the ropes is great and can be even more rejuvenating. Stay for at least 3 minutes if you can. 

Adho Mukha Svanasana

Next I would recommend Uttanasana (also with the head supported). Using a blanket on a chair or on blocks to cushion the head will provide the same calmness in the brain. 

Uttanasana

Then, getting upside down is the next step. For students who practice Sirsasana (headstand) this is a great posture to continue with. I often use the support of bricks or blocks with my students who are still learning this posture, so that they can walk in towards the wall and get some sense of how it feels to be inverted.

If you can practice some chest opening by doing chair Viparita Dandasana, that’s what I would suggest next. Again, supporting the head will create a more steady and relaxing experience. There are ways to make this pose more active by incorporating leg extensions and doing eka pada variations if you have enough energy. If this posture is not possible, then Chatush Padasana could also be done. 

Viparita Dandasana

Sarvangasana is the next pose I would suggest, or some variation thereof. Using a chair for Sarvangasana or walking the feet up the wall are more supported ways to practice. Make sure the chest stays open and that the throat is relaxed and seek help from an experienced teacher if you are new to this asana. 

Finally Savasana on a bolster with the chest supported is a great way to end your practice and do some simple pranayama practice. Observe your breathing and just bring attention to the natural process of the in-breath and out-breath.

This is a hugely simplified summary of a sequence that may help with overcoming fatigue and of course you should seek advice from a certified Iyengar Yoga teacher before beginning your practice. 

Moving slightly away from the subject of Yoga to Nature time. Whether it be working on the land, a forage or simply a walk; nature gives and gives. Grass, trees, water, wildlife and so on, nature literally feeds the soul.  

 I remember attending a therapist appointment in 2019 where the therapist used a very simple yet meaningful analogy when I mentioned that I felt grateful he was listening to me. “It’s like going for a walk, you can go on a walk on your own, or you can take a dog for a walk”. I find nature to be that dog to help me feel safe, content and fed. For more on nature, please visit my ‘Living Amongst Nature’ article). 

Communication is my third tool to explore. The nature of my work is incredibly demanding. Supporting young adults with a variety of needs calls for my alertness throughout the day for potentially demanding behaviours. It’s nice to have some validation for my feelings among our work team- talking openly about my difficulties. I have promised myself to have regular 1-1 check-ins with a Manager. Being able to process what isn’t going well is healing, as well as recognising where I can show up differently in order to prevent feeling fatigued. Away from work, it’s also a blessing to know my partner wants to know how I’m feeling. 

Please find more from Guy via his website www.yogawithguy.com. Yoga can be explored in a greater depth such as: svasayama and pranayama or chanting – kirtan or mantra (note please seek guidance or post a comment!). 

Many thanks for reading,

Namaste