Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Use Yoga to Combat Depression


“Happy begins here.” I love that saying. I try to remind myself daily that happiness comes from within me. All the while, we seem to be surrounded by anxiety and depression - we are all human and we all have emotions. Anxiety usually stems from worrying too much about the future and your “to do” list. Depression, on the other hand is when we get stuck in the past.  Depression is a real thing and it’s difficult to be in the depth of it and feel somewhat helpless. Everyone’s case of depression or anxiety stems from different sources and it’s ideal to be able to find someone to talk to when things get really overwhelming. I do believe that moving the body and connecting the breath and mind and spirit is extremely beneficial as well. Practicing yoga helps ground ourselves in the present moment so we can feel truly happy.

Stand up, and rock forward to the front of your feet (or sit bones, if you’re seated) and notice how it produces anxiety, moving in to the future too fast. Now, lean back in your seat or to the heels of your feet; notice how you slump your shoulders forward and feel a little down. Finally, feel yourself anchored right in the middle of your seat or your feet and feel grounded and present. Try this exercise whenever you find yourself a little too anxious or a bit depressed.

Because depression stems from harboring past emotions or feeling stuck with unresolved anger, it’s important to focus on future moving postures and heart opening. If you look at a depressed person, their shoulders are rounded forward and their heads hang down. Backbends open our chest, force us to lift our heart center and raise our heads high. It’s like the expression “fake it till you make it”.  Often times, we just have to physically change our bodies, and our spirits and minds will follow. Even just making yourself smile (it will feel unnatural at first) can help us shift our outlook and attitude. Others may notice and smile back! And certainly, exercise is the best natural medicine I know of. Take a walk in nature, go for a jog or bike ride, hit the slopes or the tennis courts and practice yoga. I promise you it will make a huge difference. 

Here are some of my favorite yoga poses for combatting depression:
Camel–This is an awesome posture for lifting the chest and opening the shoulders. Start on your knees and place your hands on your lower back. Squeeze your shoulder blades together and raise your chest up to the ceiling. Stay here or reach back for you heels. Hold position, and breathe 5 breaths. Come up and repeat one more time. yoga-camel-pose
Dancer’s Pose–It’s almost impossible to do this pose and not feel some sort of joy! Start standing and bend your right knee back as you grab hold of the top of your right foot. Extend your left arm forward and join the thumb and forefinger to touch. Lengthen your right leg back behind you as you backbend your chest towards the ceiling and look up to your left hand. Hold position for 5 breaths then repeat on the opposite side. Dancers-Pose
Inclined Plank–I love this posture for really opening up the shoulders and elevating my mood. Start seated with your legs stretched out straight in front of you; place your hands about 10 inches behind your hips with fingers facing forward. Press in to your hands and feet and lift your entire body off the floor. Hold position for 5 breaths then lower down - you will notice the opening in your heart center. Incline-Plank
~Thanks to Kristin McGee

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