Modified yoga relieves depression and anxiety

Modified yoga relieves depression and anxiety

I have been teaching yoga for twenty-two years. I came to yoga at the time because I was suicidal and not just depressed. During this time, my mental state was so poor that I constantly dreamed about killing myself. My boyfriend dragged me to my first yoga class and insisted that yoga would help with my emotions. I resisted by saying, “How can yoga help with your emotions?” I had done itother exercisesand other fitness classes. I was a runner, I played volleyball, basketball, tennis and I did all kinds of fitness workouts. I threw myself on weights, crunched, and sat up. I was plagued with worry, guilt, anger, insomnia, depression and sadness. Nothing had helped my mental state until yoga. yogareallysaved my life. Now twenty-two years later; I am a dedicated yoga teacher with a passion for motivating those who are. depressed or suicidal; and I urge you to come and experience the yoga difference.

From the first class I tried, yoga was hard for me. The poses weren't that difficult to follow, but my hamstrings, hips, and back muscles were super tight and the stretch was painful for me. Breathing was in contrast to breathing while exercising, where you exhale through your mouth to maintain the strength of the workout. In comparison, during yoga you breathe continuously through your nose. You take a deep breath, expand your stomach, and sometimes hold your breath for a few seconds. I was determined to figure out yoga.

The movements were slow and thoughtful. The repetitions of the movement felt monotonous. Yoga worked on your strength and you had to hold several poses like downward dog, plank pose or inversion poselooonnnggggmoments.

Why does modified yoga relieve depression and anxiety? I think it's a combination of elements. First, modified is an easier yoga class than a regular beginner class. I personally share and encourage clients to do exactly what anyone in my class can do. There is an acceptance and spirituality that is present in a restorative or modified yoga class. The space itself is very calming and not intimidating.

Yoga teaches you to remain completely in the present moment. Doing the poses well requires concentration, strength, balance and a willingness to complete the pose. When your mind wanders, you can become unbalanced and fall. Plain and simple. Breathing slowly brings in more oxygen, which then clears out your organs such as the liver, which contains negative emotions such as sadness and anger. The breathing and poses are performed specifically to clear the stomach of gases and stimulate blood circulation. The inverted poses bring blood flow to your brain which stimulates and revitalizes your brain, skin, lungs and helps change your mood. The poses; Open your torso and hips, allowing your heart to open. When you change your physiology from your fallback position of a closed, tight and seemingly protected position to a more open position, your body begins to trick your mind.Oh, when I'm standing like this, I can't be depressed. If my chest is up and my arms are outstretched, I may be happy, at least not sad.

When you really stay there in the present moment during the yoga pose, you realize that there is nothing in your life that is happening right now. You're perfectly fine. When you snap your fingers; This snapshot is how quickly a present moment zooms by. There is nothing worrisome or requiring your immediate attention, no distracting voices in your head telling you that you are worthless. It's just that you're mindful and do a moderate, focused yoga pose.

Another element in a modified yoga class that helps with depression is meditation. I meditated in almost every one of my yoga classes. When practiced, meditation helps clients stay in the present moment and also allows them to feel that they are loved, cared for and thereisa safe place within. There are many different types of meditation including color meditation, question and answer meditation, eyes open meditation, etc.

Yoga initially requires a lot of focus and discipline. Modified yoga is a discipline, but it's easier than a regular strenuous mat class. You practice the poses and breathing, and you practice NOT beating yourself up and allowing yourself to accept that you're not perfect. As you develop in yoga, your confidence also develops. At some point you realize that it wasn't too long ago that you couldn't do some of the strength and conditioning, the poses of yoga, and now you can. You may not have had much luck with balance before, and now you find yourself standing on one foot for 1 minute or more.

The really important thing about a modified yoga class, since it's not as difficult as power yoga, is thiseveryone, oralmostAnyone can do some form of modified yoga. I modified the mat and chair. You experience acceptance and not rejection, which makes you feel better. Self-acceptance is a very important element in eliminating depression and anxiety.

Self-acceptance allows you to realize that you are not perfect, and therefore you don't have to do everything perfectly. They don't have to take responsibility for other people's happiness or decisions that lead them to the unsatisfactory place in their lives. If you are currently struggling with depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts, get help. Some counseling can really help and going to a restorative or modified yoga class. Not a yoga class where everyone is very competitive or the instructor pushes you beyond your limits. You need to go into a class feeling acceptance, honor, and respect, and that you are truly encouraged to do only what you can, and whatever skills or flexibility you have, you are encouraged. This class will be a transformational class for you! If you give it a chance, a modified yoga class along with this positive yoga teacher can help you eliminate depression and anxiety.

Inspired by Katheryn Hoban