The Yoga rules

By Dustin Bartholomay

Yoga helps depression in many ways. There is no doubt that yoga helps depression. Because of the somatic relationship between the body and mind yoga is perfect for addressing depression. The attitude of depression affects the overall structure of the entire body. When the body takes on the minds depression it takes the posture of depression. Yoga is effective in treating depression because it takes the whole being into consideration rather then only one part. Typically western medicine treats the symptoms of depression instead of going to the root of the problem. Depression starts with a thought. The mind takes on the attitude of this pattern and then body soon follows repeating the pattern of the mind into the structure of the body.

Four ways that yoga helps with depression:

1. One of the main ideas of yoga is to bring balance into our lives. Yoga creates balance in the structure of the body that leads to balance of the mind. Depression is like leaning to far of to one side, it only becomes easier to fall into it the closer you get. Being depressed causes the mind to become obsessed with a particular thought pattern. So in yoga we stand evenly on both feet. This balances our body that leads the mind to balance and out of depression.

2. Practicing asanas makes us strong, flexible and resilient. As these qualities move into our body the mind takes on the similar patterns. With time yoga helps us develop strength to push through depression, flexibility to accept changes in how we believe things should be and resilience to get up every day and carry on.

3. All body fluids and tissues are oxygenated through yoga practices. Watch your breath and notice if it is shallow. Because depression is shutting down our ability to absorb life it is closely related to our breathing pattern. The more depressed you are the shallower breaths you will take. Just try to take a few deep breaths while you are depressed. You will notice instantly you feel better. As you breath deeper can you feel the weight of depression wanting to shut down the breath? Don't let it continue to breath deep.

4. Yoga changes our body's alignment. Notice when you are depressed that it's hard to sit up straight. This downward pull is depression. In fact if you could just sit up straight for a while your depression would gradually ease. It's impossible to have a upright posture and be depressed at the same time. If you really want to be depressed hunch over and drop your head forward, this is depression. Body is not separate from the mind. With yoga practice you don't only understand this concept you put it into action.

Depression is a serious condition that is capable of worsening over time. Get help and surround yourself with friends and family. You can do it! Remember you are not alone we are all here together. We are the same and what one of us goes through we all experience on some level. Remember breath deep, take a yoga class, go for a jog or go dancing. Take one step at a time you will make it through your depression.

Dustin B. was born and raised in Mount Shasta CA. He has practiced yoga for over seven years and is a certified Ashtanga Yoga teacher.

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