Many people living with depression often go through years of trial and error to find an effective treatment. Although medication and therapy can be beneficial, there’s always room for improvement in treating this difficult condition. Whether conventional treatments are completely ineffective or not providing sufficient relief of symptoms, yoga can provide hope.
At least two forms of Hatha yoga have shown promise in improving mood. One such form is Iyengar yoga which emphasizes physical alignment through various postures. Proper form is a fundamental component of Iyengar yoga. Participants use various props such as straps and blocks during the process, especially as beginners. The use of props can also provide assistance to people experiencing physical limitations. Iyengar yoga has traditionally been used to improve physical ailments and provide effective stress relief. Research has found that people with depression, who regularly participate in Iyengar yoga classes, report an elevated mood.
Various techniques of Pranayama, also a form of Hatha yoga, have been linked with improving depression symptoms. Pranayama places an emphasis on breathing techniques where the participant develops meditative control over their breathing. These practices have provided some people with reductions in stress and anxiety.
For those interested in pursuing yoga as a treatment for depression, a quick search on the internet may reveal local studios offering various types of yoga. Additionally, some studios offer specialized classes for the treatment of depression and offer some good resources as well LifeForce Yoga. Receiving specialized yoga instruction for depression does not have to be expensive. With a solid foundation from in-class instruction—whether in a group setting or private lessons—many yoga techniques can be worked on in the privacy of one’s own home. From neighborhood bookstores to the internet, there are numerous learning resources available, including online yoga workouts, DVDs, books, and magazines.
The evidence supporting yoga for the treatment of depression is varied, but most report positive results. Several controlled studies have been performed and it is an evolving line of research. Improvements in depression have been reported in people experiencing different intensities of symptoms, various types of depression and bipolar disorder. Each situation is unique, but some people have found yoga to be their primary tool in effectively treating depression. Others use yoga in conjunction with other treatments. Easy to perform yoga meditation can help quiet the mind and improve your well being off the mat.
Since there are few physical limitations that may prevent a person from trying yoga, and programs are available for all fitness levels, why not give it a try to see if it will help you manage anxiety and depression?
—————————-
[Editor's note: This is a guest post by Erica Hill, who works with Gaiam TV, a healthy lifestyle media company that specializes in online yoga workouts and
workout videos.]
Chronic pain is a common cause of depression, and Yoga can be very helpful. For Natural Pain Relief solutions and free videos that are also very effective-www.imbuebody.com
I have to say that yoga is very effective in combating depression. Its discipline teaches one of the proper way of breathing in all those extreme positions they have to go through. It clears the head and offers one another outlook in life. Great points on here. Thanks for sharing them.
This hits so close to home. I had been going through months of depression and know that starting yoga helped me get through it. I didn’t realize it at the time but months later, looking back, it was obvious. I think it was the combination of learning to just breathe, the calm, and getting into a routine of being around other positive people.
yoga truly is an amazing solution to many of lifes problems! : )
Iyengar yoga is a ideal for people that are interested in the physical and therapeutic benefits or for those with injuries… since those teacher are the best trained in bio-mechnics and anatomy…..quite rigorous….. restorative is one of the best ones for depression and anxiety since you get release deep seated tension and tightness with the props
I also believe yoga is very helpful against depression, while the other method can be tiring. Health is something that we need to preserve, and it doesn’t have to be the conventional way. Visit this site for health solution: http://www.medsempire.org
Yoga is great for the mind and the body. There are many different kinds of yoga classes so it’s important to find the one that is the best fit.
Yoga offers stress release too. As a licensed rehab practitioner who treats a variety of medical conditions, it’s not uncommon for my patients to be depressed. I have found medical yoga offers them clarity and peace of mind.
Great point, I think there are a lot of people out there dealing with depression & looking for a solution. It is also very important for people to understand yoga and that it has several aspects and faces. very useful article.
There are so many styles of yoga to choose from that it can be a little daunting at first. But rather than be overwhelmed, be excited! There are so many forms to choose from that if you don’t like one, you have several others to test out.
So very true! I highly recommend yoga as a way of dealing with depression and safely getting of medication such as anti-depressants and anti-anxiety pills. I struggled with depression most of my adult life, I tried many forms of therapy and nothing help, my medication doses got high, I gained more weight and got more depressed which eventually led to me trying to take my own life and I ended up in a psychiatric clinic. While there I was heavily medicated and I strongly felt like my doctors didn’t understand what was going on inside of me.
There was a lady who came to the clinic give yoga classes to the patients twice a week, having never done yoga before I signed up for her class hoping for any kind of relief from what I was going through. The postures we did were basic but so very powerful! Something magical opened up inside of me and even with all the fear and anxiety still in me I found a willingness to go on.
When I got back home I tried a few different classes but struggled to find one that I could actually participate in being very over weight and unfit, I almost gave up hope… eventually I found a small Bikram school near where I lived. If felt like hell but I went back everyday and in three months I was completely off my heavy medication for depression and anxiety.
It’s been a year and seven months since then and I have worked hard to incorporate yoga into my lifestyle. I’m 28 years old and can confidently say that yoga is the greatest gift I’ve ever given myself. Everything has changed – my career, friends, state of mind – all of it. I feel brand new and beautiful
and I thank myself each day for having had the courage to step into that yoga class.