I am pretty sure yoga didn't really lessen the impact of SAD, though I practiced regularly (about every other day) through the dark months. And I'm pretty sure it doesn't help my PMS because PMS usually causes a who-the-hell-cares mentality for a few days where I don't DO anything, but I EAT lots of things. *nods* Too bad I don't have a mommy to make me do my yoga whether I care or not.
I do find that during the time I am doing yoga, clearing my mind, focusing on my breathing and movement, I am very centered and calm, with the occasional dash of excited accomplishment, even when I am down or stressed otherwise. And days that I do yoga I am happier, because I know I had some good exercise for the day. And I know that days I do yoga I feel healthier all day, either for psychological reasons, or from actual physical effects of this type of exercise. (I'm guessing a little of both.)
So as you have also observed, I'm not sure yoga "fixes" anything, exactly. But the movement meditation, and the reality of having done strenuous physical activity, with the contingent awareness of that fact, do seem to carry through my day with positive aspects.
On the even larger scale, I definitely like having physical fitness and the ability to manage my own body weight through arm balances, lunges, squats, inversions and backbends as part of my self-image. I'm slimmer than I have been in 15 years, and probably more physically fit than I have been in my entire life. That definitely makes me feel good about myself.
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I do find that during the time I am doing yoga, clearing my mind, focusing on my breathing and movement, I am very centered and calm, with the occasional dash of excited accomplishment, even when I am down or stressed otherwise. And days that I do yoga I am happier, because I know I had some good exercise for the day. And I know that days I do yoga I feel healthier all day, either for psychological reasons, or from actual physical effects of this type of exercise. (I'm guessing a little of both.)
So as you have also observed, I'm not sure yoga "fixes" anything, exactly. But the movement meditation, and the reality of having done strenuous physical activity, with the contingent awareness of that fact, do seem to carry through my day with positive aspects.
On the even larger scale, I definitely like having physical fitness and the ability to manage my own body weight through arm balances, lunges, squats, inversions and backbends as part of my self-image. I'm slimmer than I have been in 15 years, and probably more physically fit than I have been in my entire life. That definitely makes me feel good about myself.