Though its trigger is emotional, its symptoms are recognised medically as physical outbreaks, which include a large number of often unrelated symptoms. These include non-localised body ache, migraines, chronic respiratory ailments, vulnerability to auto-immune diseases, digestive disorders, chronic constipation, acne outbreaks. There is, of course, the more corrosive sense of actual physical tiredness, acute lethargy and disjointed co-ordination between the nervous system and the limbs, insomnia or constant urge to sleep, especially day-time sleeping. Victims in extreme cases may also feel the inability to talk coherently. Under such chronic assault, even our body ages fast leading to premature graying or grim wrinkles around our eyes and mouth.

Companies are also waking up to its dangers because it is one of the major causes for absenteeism. It slams productivity even among those present. It saps creative output and motivation.  For companies concerned about their bottomline, CFS is a critical ailment that needs constant monitoring. Progressive and forward-thinking companies have learnt to create fun outlets for people at offices, since most of us spend a large part of our day at work.

It is here yoga delves deep into the problem, treating it from different angle that coaxes it out of our body. In yoga, chest expanding poses, like ushtrasana or camel, work on uplifting a droopy mood. The balancing poses, like eka pada pranamasana or one-legged prayer pose work on stabilising the cerebellum, which is involved in our social expression. The forward bending poses, like yoga mudra or psychic union, work on de-stressing. The twists, like ardha matysendrasana or half-spinal twist, serve in de-toxifying and removing lymph accumulation that results from excessive emotional negativities. Its prone poses, like makarasana or crocodile, soothe the out-of-sync digestive system back into toned health.

Yoga asanas for the rescue

Tadasana (Tree pose)

This can be done seated also, though standing gives an overall stretch to the body that is invigorating as well as relaxing.

Stand up straight, feet about a foot apart, with hands on your side. Inhale, going up on your toes. Simultaneously raise hands overhead, interlocking fingers, turning palms away so they are facing the ceiling. Stretch completely. Hold the pose for ten seconds initially. Continue breathing normally in this final pose. Exhaling, slowly ease heels back to ground. Lower hands too. Rest. You may repeat several times, or hold it longer, increasing the duration in the final pose with regular practice.

Points to note: If having heart problem, raise hands only up to chest level.

Benefits: Offers   instant stress relief. Is a cure-all pose, used to treat most ailments. Relieves  stress-induced constipation.  Is a mood elevator, removes fatigue. Boosts concentration  if duration in the final pose is extended for a minute or more. Works out and tones entire body, including all major systems.

Yoga mudrasana (Psychic union pose):

Sit in a crossed pose, ideally in the classical lotus or padmasana. Otherwise, any simple cross-legged version is fine. It may be also done seated in the chair, if doing this pose at work, or if you have chronic knee pain. Clench fist, thumb encircled by the rest of the fingers.  Do for either hand. Bring hands together so the back of the fingers are slightly touching. Place both hands at the abdomen. Inhale. Exhaling, lower head towards the ground gently, so forehead reaches the floor (if seated on floor; or knee for those seated in chair). This may be difficult for those unused to yoga, so dip your head only as far as is possible, feeling the pressure of your hands at the stomach. Continue normal breathing, holding the pose for a few seconds. Relax, to return back to starting pose. Repeat a few times.

Avoid: If having lower back problem.

Benefits: Massages the adrenals or stress glands, rejuvenating them. Regulates blood sugar, is particularly effective with diabetes management. Enhances and deepens breathing.

Ardha matysendrasana (Half spinal twist)

Sit with both legs out in front of you. Fold right leg at knee, passing it over left leg, placing right foot beside the left knee. Place right hand behind, close to hips. Use the left hand to give a counter pressure, to enhance the twist you will be executing. Inhale, exhaling twist over the right shoulder, extending the spine, keeping the body as straight as possible. Hold for a few seconds, breathing deeply. Release and repeat for the other side. You must slowly increase duration in the final pose with regular practice.

Benefits: Release all tension all along the spine. The squeeze-release pressure on torso massages and soothes all the organ systems and glands that are negatively affected by tension. Is detoxifiying.