Banish the Blahs with Yoga

Yoga is a great mood enhancer and it does that naturally.  Any form of exercise releases hormones that help ease the stress that often leads to the blahs, blues, or outright depression.  Being active keeps your mind away from negative thoughts and allows you to gain perspective on problems you are facing.  People who are depressed or “down” often lack the motivation to exercise.  It doesn’t take near as much effort to do a Yoga routine as it does to work out to a video or drive to the gym.  A word of warning; if you suffer from more than just the occasional bout of the blahs and feel down for more than two weeks at one time, you should seek professional help.  They may feel that you need medication and therapy, and proper exercise. 

Often people who are depressed often lack the concentration to stop and try to detach themselves from their thoughts.  Yoga is a moving meditation so it is easier to take your mind away from negative thoughts.  Yoga’s focus on balance can also help you restore your mental stability.

Yoga has a definite connection between mind, body, and spirit that no other form of exercise or meditation can achieve by doing those alone.  Negative thoughts can keep us from finding our essential inner nature.  Doubt, hopelessness, despair, apathy and either sleeping too much or not enough are all signs of depression.  Yoga is designed to bring you closer to your inner truth; it then is only natural that it can help with some of the symptoms of depression. 

Certain postures can influence your mood and allow depression to lift.  One special Asana can’t cure depression or the blahs.  They can help to open your lung capacity to allow more oxygen to reach all the affected parts of your body including your mood.  Asana postures can help low energy levels, and lethargy.  You should ask your Yoga instructor to help you with the postures that would best help you balance your moods.

Yoga can calm the nervous system, and allow you to understand the connection between your mind and your emotions.  They can both be used to help each other.  As breathing is an important part of Yoga, it can also help you to curb anxiety, quiet your thoughts, and help you concentrate on positive energy rather than negative.

Any form of Yoga can help you banish the blahs.  Even just doing it making you do the routine will help.  It isn’t physically demanding but can make you feel so much better at the end of your session.  Remember, if you have a severe depressive episode, consult with a professional.  Yoga is drug-free and so can be practiced as well as any medication or therapy your Doctor orders.  If you want to try a Yoga routine specifically for depression, find one who can create one for you personally.  They have been extensively trained for this purpose and know the positions that are most adaptable for therapeutic purposes.