Yoga and mental health issues

[rydra_wong]

Because I'm guessing I'm not the only person in the comm who's dealing with some form of crazy, I thought we might talk about it a bit.

How does yoga affect your mental health issues? For example, do you find that yoga is helpful in coping with anxiety or depression? Is it helpful at some times but not others? Or is it more something that happens alongside whatever issues you may be dealing with?

Conversely, how do your mental health issues affect your yoga? How do you manage to keep a consistent practice when you have a Bad Brain Day? Or do you have to accept that sometimes, practice just ain't happening today?

For me, it's been hard to acknowledge that yoga is not going to change my depression directly, even though it's been a lifeline for me through it. And when I'm feeling terrible anyway, beating myself up for not practicing doesn't help.

Comments

[viklikesfic]

Good question! My anxiety being out of control was a big reason I started yoga. It worked well at first. Now I find it harder to focus and the anxiety ends up taking over the yoga rather than the other way around. I did notice though that when I took a break, depression took over, so I think it's overall good for my mood, even if it's just the feeling of accomplishment having done it.

[rydra_wong]

Now I find it harder to focus and the anxiety ends up taking over the yoga rather than the other way around.

I have a tendency to recursive anxiety, though for me it mostly happens with climbing rather than yoga -- I'll start worrying about whether I'm going to enjoy it and whether I'm going to start feeling anxious/depressed, which then pretty much guarantees that I'll start feeling anxious/depressed.

I don't know if this is similar to what you're dealing with, but it's a pain.