Theory | by Kristen Butera Yoga Therapy for Depression RE YOU FEELING DEPRESSED lethargy that often accompanies stimulation and relaxation to the brain OR DOWN?DO YOU HAVE A depression. The idea is simple, when via the spinal cord, literally changing CASE OF THE POST-HOLIDAY we feel good, we are less apt to fall the chemistry of your brain and giving OR WINTER BLUES? Everyone feels into a state of melancholy. Yoga you a “feel good” effect. sadA from time to time, but when teaches us that life can be peaceful, sadness deepens and persists, it can full of purpose, happy, and even CROWN CHAKRA suppress energy and make everyday joyful, and that the source of that joy life seem like a burden. When identified and contentment is found deep inside The 7th chakra relates to the spiritual early-on, depression can be warning each of us. Various yoga practices are dimension of reality and is the directory that can help you proactively protect simply tools to help get us there. of our lives, resting on the top of your mental and physical health. the body. A healthy crown chakra To help combat the blues, create influences the body, mind and spirit From a spiritual perspective, many a daily yoga practice that includes dramatically. A blocked crown chakra people suffering from a mild form of at three or more of the following can result in a lack of life, depression, depression feel a sense of isolation options: (breath work), confusion or rigid belief system. This from the world and an inability to find mantra, mudra, (yoga poses), exercise should help bring balance connection or see themselves as part stretching, visualization/meditation and awareness to this energy center. of the divine reality. Yoga views this and savasana (relaxation). separation through the veil of From a lying or seated position, settle ignorance. As we live farther from the PRANAYAMA AND ASANA in a take several deep breaths while truth of our wholeness, we become FOR DEPRESSION you visualize a bright white light that more and more despondent. We From a yogic perspective, people begins at the top of your head and forget, as author Stephen Cope puts who suffer from depression are runs down through your spine, out of it, that “…in some parallel universe, depleted in vital life force, also known your tailbone and into the earth we are unutterably fine just the way as prana. In order to bring more beneath you. Feel your connection to we are.” energy into the body, concentrate on the earth and let the light turn into a practices that bring breath to the violet hue as you draw it back into Yoga offers us the opportunity to find body, particularly via diaphragmatic your body. Let it travel up the spine union with our true nature. Through or three-part breath. Energizing until it settles as a ball of energy at the postures, breathing exercises, breathing practices like breath of top of your head. With each inhale meditation and other practices we fire, breath of joy, kaphlabhati and allow the light to grow bigger, until you can help to create a state of positive bhastrika can help to stimulate the are surrounded by a violet glow. mental health. A daily practice will 3rd chakra (solarplexus), the seat of Realize that you are no longer alone bring both the physical emotional our self-esteem and will power. Sun as a separate being; you are one with bodies into balance. From a physical Salutations can be very therapeutic, all. Feel a sense of spiritual protection perspective, yoga tones the nervous especially when done while visualizing as you align with the Divine reality. system, stimulates circulation, promotes bringing the bringing the energy and Breathe out, and send the energy of concentration, and energizes the heat of the sun into the body and your being to the Divine and the world mind and body. Yoga postures also mind. Backbends in particular can around you. help improve blood circulation, and be stimulating. These range from make it easier to break through the restorative poses such as reclining As you practice different things, supported bound ankle remember that the journey out of (done with a bolster placed depression begins with a single lengthwise under the torso) step from wherever you are right now. and supported bridge pose Taking a proactive approach is half (using hands or a block) or the battle. Simply putting forth the more active backbends like effort to heal the mind and body camel and bow pose. through awareness and movement Invigorating inversions that is a positive step on the path stimulate the brain like shoulder to well-being. stand, plough or even legs Authors Note: The practices discussed here up against the wall are also are not meant to replace medical care. The suggestions may help those suffering with mild good to practice daily. Overall, non-clinical depression, and sufferers under the any balanced yoga class or care of a licensed counselor or physician can practice will offer a balance of also benefit. L

YOGA LIVING 18 January/February 2009