There’s nothing like the serenity, bliss, and relaxation that can come following a good yoga session. In fact, many first-time yoga practitioners are surprised by how elevated their mood is after a yoga class.
One of the primary reasons for this sense of upliftment is that exercise naturally increases serotonin levels in our brains. Seratonin is a neurotransmitter that makes us feel good. Unfortunately, it’s often deficient in people who suffer from depressive disorders.
However, yoga isn’t like other forms of exercise. In fact, it takes a unique, relaxed approach to fitness that comes in contrast to many upbeat, intense, modern workout classes. As such, yoga not only gets our blood pumping to elevate our mood, it also simultaneously soothes us into a state of relaxation through meditation and breathing techniques. This approach makes yoga an excellent option for those with anxiety as well.
Although there are hundreds of yoga poses, some are particularly good for dealing with anxiety and depression. Here, we will discuss some postures that you can incorporate into your own practice to invite greater mental health into your life.
As you practice these, be sure to breathe steadily and deeply, even when your body feels strained. Ideally, you should maintain ujjayi breath throughout your practice. Doing this will help you remain calm in states of adversity, a skill that can help you stay grounded in many of life’s challenging moments!
Easy pose is the classic position that you see people meditating in, sitting on the floor with crossed legs and a straight spine. Although many might not think of it as a yoga pose, easy pose can actually be a powerful tool for regaining the confidence you need to deal with anxiety, depression, and chronic stress.
Here, the base of your spine connects to the earth, helping you feel deeply grounded. The symmetry of this posture also centers you. These two factors combined aid you in overcoming anxiety as you feel that nothing can uproot you or knock you off balance.
Furthermore, this pose helps to ward off depression as well. Sitting tall with perfect posture, you can experience a sense of clarity, confidence, and strength.
Here’s how to do easy pose:
As you sit in easy pose, you can recite a mantra or watch your breath. Both of these are great methods for keeping your mind clear.
If you’ve explored yoga at all, you’re probably familiar with downward-facing dog pose. It’s for a good reason that this posture is quite common. In addition to lengthening your spine and strengthing your arms, shoulders, and legs, it also increases blood flow to your brain. By amping up our circulation to this area, we can experience greater energy and mental clarity, helping us deal with issues that cause us stress or anxiety.
To do downward-facing dog pose, follow these steps:
Another excellent pose for handling anxiety and depression is upward-facing dog pose. This position opens your heart, helping you remove any pent-up emotions in your chest. It also works to regulate the respiratory system, bringing clarity to your heart and mind.
To do upward facing dog pose, follow these steps:
Shoulderstand is yet another excellent yoga pose for relieving anxiety and depression. Like downward-facing dog pose, shoulderstand increases blood flow to your brain, thus increasing your mental clarity and balancing your emotions.
It’s important to note that you should not do this pose if you have neck or shoulder problems, high blood pressure, or are menstruating.
With that said, here’s how to do shoulderstand:
You’re probably familiar with standing forward fold pose even if you don’t realize it. Another good way to describe it is simply touching your toes. This pose works wonders for removing tension in the neck, shoulders, and back, while also directing blood flow to your brain. All in all, regularly practicing standing forward fold pose can make you feel great.
Here’s how to do it:
Child’s pose is among yoga’s most restorative and comforting postures. Here, you enjoy the immense comfort that comes with being totally grounded. The sense of being supported by the earth can provide great emotional comfort in times of anxiety and depression.
In addition to being comforting, child’s pose also works to release tension in the spine, thus calming your nerves.
To perform child’s pose, follow these steps:
Don’t let the name fool you, corpse pose is actually one of the most gentle, easy, and comforting postures that yoga has to offer. This meditative pose is excellent for controlling your mind, freeing you from stress, anxiety, and depression while inviting clarity into your experience.
Although the physical side of things is quite easy, mastering the mental aspect of this pose can be a challenge. However, with a continued focus on your breath or a mantra, you’ll ultimately unlock deep states of calmness and bliss.
This pose is typically performed at the end of each yoga session, allowing you to integrate all the energy and revelations that may have been cultivated during your practice.
To perform corpse pose, follow these steps:
In addition to these yoga poses, there are countless others that can have profound benefits on your mental health. If you struggle with mental health issues, we recommend finding a studio that is best for you and attending as often as possible. Not only will the yoga make you feel great, but the sense of community that studios cultivate can give you the social support you need to feel better.
We wish you all the best on your healing journey!
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