yes, I have a whole load of The Crazy at any given time, and this despite having an essentially wonderful life! Yoga has definitely had an influence on me when I am going through "mental health issues," as you so kindly put it :)
If I drag my sorry asana to the mat, I can count on an improvement in my state of mind. Like anything that will help you but still requires effort (oh woe to our McDonald's mentality!), you have to get there first LOL.
At some unknown point in my past, I began to perceive part of my yoga practice as spiritual. It was not a conscious decision but I am pretty sure it began as part of coping with some stress and mild depression. I am still not all new age-y about it (and there is wrong with being new age-y! if it works, go for it!), but there is a sense of resetting my mind, accepting myself, placing myself in my world at that juncture, seeing the beauty of my surroundings, and understanding there is a higher force at work in my world. I don't specifically meditate my way to to the spirituality - this state of mind comes about as a function of keeping myself "in the moment" while doing yoga. The beauty of yoga is that you really need to remain "in the moment" or you fall down!
The one practice that has a more direct influence on depression and stress is Yin yoga. There is something peaceful about remaining in a position for 5 minutes or more, sinking into yourself, clearing your mind, and working those chakras and meridians. I come out of a Yin Yoga practice feeling very free and soothed.
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branchandroot
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Date: 2010-05-05 01:25 pm (UTC)If I drag my sorry asana to the mat, I can count on an improvement in my state of mind. Like anything that will help you but still requires effort (oh woe to our McDonald's mentality!), you have to get there first LOL.
At some unknown point in my past, I began to perceive part of my yoga practice as spiritual. It was not a conscious decision but I am pretty sure it began as part of coping with some stress and mild depression. I am still not all new age-y about it (and there is wrong with being new age-y! if it works, go for it!), but there is a sense of resetting my mind, accepting myself, placing myself in my world at that juncture, seeing the beauty of my surroundings, and understanding there is a higher force at work in my world. I don't specifically meditate my way to to the spirituality - this state of mind comes about as a function of keeping myself "in the moment" while doing yoga. The beauty of yoga is that you really need to remain "in the moment" or you fall down!
The one practice that has a more direct influence on depression and stress is Yin yoga. There is something peaceful about remaining in a position for 5 minutes or more, sinking into yourself, clearing your mind, and working those chakras and meridians. I come out of a Yin Yoga practice feeling very free and soothed.