Emotional-Intelligence and Yoga
Yoga trains us to pay attention specifically to the feelings in the body during the movement. For effective emotional intelligence we need to bring our awareness first to the body and then to the mind. Yoga prepares us for building body-intelligence. Body-intelligence includes the successful processing and interpretation of information from all our senses and responses. Body-intelligence improves our self-awareness and the self-awareness leads to more self-control. This in turn leads to growing self-confidence which then brings self-reflection. Yoga improves brain fitness and relaxes the brain by relieving the tension in the body and mind.
Emotional-Intelligence and Meditation
Numerous clinical studies confirmed that meditation normally helps people stay healthier, sharpen mental focus and gain more power over their emotions. Vipassana meditation (mindfulness meditation) is the most ancient and proven method to increase awareness about our thoughts and emotions. When you know your thoughts and emotions, you will be more efficient. Vipassana meditation will keep you cool, calm and collected, and receptive to the evaluation that is coming on your way. Similarly Om chanting and meditation is a great way for sharpening the mind. Amygdala — an almond-sized region of the brain is responsible for stress related reactions. During mindfulness meditation scientists observed more activity in the prefrontal cortex area and less activity in the Amygdala area of the brain. The prefrontal cortex is located behind the forehead and eyes and has been associated with thinking in words about emotional experiences.
Meditation increases self-awareness. It helps us to breathe slowly, which keeps us relaxed and allow us to listen better. With the increase of self-awareness we manage our behavior and we don’t say things impulsively that will get us in difficulty.
Developing a Strong Emotional-Intelligence Muscle
The emotional intelligence “muscle” is just like the any other muscles in our body. When it doesn’t get much exercise, it becomes weaker over time. But when we give it regular workouts by putting it to better use, it will grow stronger and stronger, and make us capable to effectively reach our objectives. To build emotional intelligence, take on a challenge that requires you to do something you’d honestly rather not do. Start with just one activity, and make a plan for how you will deal with troubles when they occur. Determine to withstand the emotional challenges.
Emotional Intelligence with Expanded Consciousness
There is a growing importance of meditation and yoga in modern corporate leadership. There are many types of meditations. For example; Upanashdic meditation, Vipassana meditation and loving-kindness meditations are used for expansion of consciousness. About 3000 years ago, the oldest books of meditations, the Upanishads declared “Tena tyaktena bhunjita”, which means “Enjoy the world by giving and sharing what you have”. In today’s corporate world the concept of giving something for free is the most powerful motivator to change the behavior of the customers, and that’s why it’s so popular for businesses to use. The concept works because it increases the trust of the buyers. Similarly, studies confirmed that giving employees significant amount of autonomy enhances innovation and success at knowledge firms. In the above examples, the emotions of the buyers and the employees are effectively used for the overall improvement and well-being of the organization and society.