Anxiety, heartbreak, loss, and frustration are all natural emotions that we experience at some point in our lives.
There are times when these emotions are manageable and other times when these emotions can spiral out of control into a form of depression.
Fortunately, yoga is one of the many tools that can help manage these mood fluctuations associated with depression.
According to the Mayo Clinic, depression is a mood disorder that causes persistent sadness and loss of interest. Also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it affects how you feel, think, and behave.
If depression is not treated right away, it can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems.
Through mindful poses and breathing exercises, yoga can help reduce the stress responses that you have instinctively relied on.
Yoga can also help by reducing your heart rate, lowering blood pressure, and teaching you how to utilize your breath.
The philosophy behind yoga also helps teach you to be in the moment and appreciate the good things in life instead of focusing on the negative.
Below are three yoga poses that can help you beat depression.
Sun Salutations can work through stagnate energy and allow you to move through life easily. By flowing from one pose to the next and connecting the breath with the body you will feel at ease.
Sanskrit: Suyra Namaskar
Step by step:
Expert tip: You can decrease the intensity of your Sun Salutation by skipping the Chaturanga Dandasana and stepping back into lunges.
This pose is considered to cure most ailments in the body and mind due to the restorative effects of reversing the flow of oxygen and blood.
Sanskrit: Viparita Karani
Step by step:
By lying on your back with the soles of your feet together, you can enjoy the restorative benefits of this pose. Allowing your mind to clear, your chest to expand, and your back to feel the support of the earth below.
Sanskrit: Supta Baddha Konasana
Step by step:
Expert tip: If you’d like, you can add a blanket or bolster under your spine to elevate your heart and allow for a deeper surrender.
Sanskrit: Shitali Pranayama
Step by step:
Combining the body with the breath and mind is a beneficial way to help ease the effects of depression. If you are new to yoga, it’s important to take your time and try the various yoga styles that are available.