TABLE 1

Characteristic behaviour patterns of type A and Type B personalities 

Type A Behaviours:

• Hurried speech 

• Constant, rapid movement/eating

• Open impatience with the rate at which things occur and how others operate; chronic sense of time urgency

• Thinking and performing several things at once

• An active attempt to dominate the conversation, to determine the topics, and to remain pre-occupied with one's own thoughts when others are talking.

• Vague guilty feelings during periods of relaxation, when doing nothing

• Undue concern for getting things worth having - no time to become the things worth being.

• No compassion for other type A's

• Characteristic nervous gestures - ties, clench fist and junk, pound on table, grind teeth. 

Type B behaviours:

• Complete freedom from all the type A traits.

• No sense of time urgency

• No free-floating hostility

• No felt need to display or discuss one's achievements and accomplishments unless the situation demands it.

• A belief that plays exists for fun and relaxation, not to exhibit superiority.

• An ability to relax without guilt and to work without agitation.

By practising yoga, the individual is gradually liberated from these deep emotional complexes and fears. In yogic therapy, it is often difficult for the cardiac personality to relax and utilise yoga in a non-competitive way. His mind is so achievement-oriented that relaxation and the attitude of letting go, surrender and acceptance is very unnatural for him at first. Nevertheless, if this lesson can be learned, progress is assured. 

Shyam

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