Yoga for Depression & Anxiety
The practice of yoga postures and breathing techniques has many health benefits especially when using a specific programme designed by experts to pinpoint certain conditions. For example, a class focusing on recuperative postures and inversions is very useful for insomnia or sleep disorders. Energetic classes with lots of standing postures and sun salutations are good for increasing energy levels, promoting healthy circulation and all general aspects of mobilising the joints and muscles. Standings and twists are an excellent way to improve back pain and digestive disorders.
For this article, we are focusing on postures and programmes that help with Depression and Anxiety. If we look at the aspects of these two conditions, we can see that they have a physical impact as well as a more obvious mental one. People who are clinically depressed for example, tend to have a slumped posture, collapsed chest, head dropping forward and melancholy look. They also tend to be lethargic and normal everyday activities are difficult to cope with. Depression can be a condition that lasts for a long time and is often not traceable to one particular event although bereavement or tragedy can instigate a depressive period. Doctors will often prescribe anti-depressants to help patients cope with the ordinary day-to-day. Those who suffer from anxiety on the other hand can often be more hyper-active. It can cause in sufferers breathing problems, digestive disorders, heart palpitations and even nausea. They may be susceptible to recurring bouts of anxiety unless they can change the way they approach future stressful situations. Depression and anxiety are also conditions that are linked and very often the one can lead to or be accompanied by the other.
Both conditions can benefit and even be prevented through the use of a regular and focussed yoga practice. But be warned; those suffering from any serious depressive or anxiety disorder should first of all consult their medical practitioner before embarking on any yoga practice and second of all should ensure their teacher is qualified and experienced enough to provide a suitable programme for them. And of course, whatever you choose to do to help with your symptoms, it should be supportive and not something which adds to your already stressful situation.
Depression and anxiety needs to be looked at slightly differently. For example, a typical programme of yoga for depression would include gentle chest opening postures, postures to mobilise the upper body and shoulders, energising postures such as sun salutations, standing postures, inversions, back-bends and twists. Anything to enhance good posture, to lift the heart and gently open and stretch the body is beneficial. This will create optimism and enthusiasm and the student will walk away from the class with renewed energy and vigour to copy with their life. For anxiety, more focus should be centred on calming postures such as recuperative and forward bends and breathing techniques (pranayama). For certain conditions, back bends and inversions are also a good way to dispel fear and promote courage and mental strength.
Whatever class you choose, listen to your body and anything that enhances your mood or makes you feel good – go with it! Anything that makes you feel worse, talk to your teacher as often feelings and emotions can rise to the surface to be released, or it may be that the particular programme you are following is not for you at that time. And of course, simply getting out and meeting other people, practising together and enjoying people’s company is a very positive and nurturing action in itself.
For more information on qualified yoga teachers please visit www.bwy.org.uk or www.iyengaryoga.org.uk.
