Yoga
If you've seen pictures of people practicing yoga, you may have wondered how they got into such impossible positions or why they even wanted to. What's the attraction with yoga? Perhaps it might be the element of control involved. Just as acupuncture considers depression to result from a blockage of the body's qi, yoga believes that depression is the result of the body's separation from its source — its connection to a sense of self.
Yoga is all about regaining that balance and reuniting the body with that sense of self. Whereas acupuncture is passive, meaning that you're lying on the treatment table while the acupuncturist attends to you, yoga is active. In yoga, you take control of your body. And when you're dealing with depression, taking an active position, pardon the pun, can be a healthy step forward in your depression management plan.
The Tradition
While Western medicine works to alleviate symptoms and cure the disease, Eastern medicine takes a more holistic approach and operates from the premise that mind, body, and spirit are one.
Essential
Eastern medicine is considered to be those healing arts that have their origins in China, India, and other countries of the Orient. Eastern medicine developed independently of the West, separated from it by geography and language.
Yoga probably originated in the Indus Valley civilization some 4,000 to 8,000 years ago, so it's even older than acupuncture. It's not a religion, but rather it's a discipline that seeks to unite body, mind, and spirit. The Yoga Sutras, an ancient Indian text, explain the postures and the philosophy behind the system.
Yoga works to cultivate prana, which equates with qi. This is the body's energy or life force on its quest to achieve consciousness — understanding. Ultimately the goal is to reach a union between one's own consciousness and the universal consciousness. Yoga is a means to attain that consciousness.
The Modern Version
Yoga is a non-aerobic exercise that teaches precise postures, breathing, and meditation. According to a report by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), yoga may help relieve anxiety, stress, and depression. Practicing yoga helps you focus your concentration, work with your body, and open yourself to the strength within you.
Fact
Aerobic exercise is intense physical activity, such as running or swimming. The heart and lungs must work harder to fulfill the body's increased need for oxygen. Non-aerobic, or anaerobic, literally means “in the absence of oxygen.” In non-aerobic exercise, such as yoga or weight training, the nature of the activity doesn't require the heart and lungs to work overtime.
Usually, you'll practice yoga in the morning or at the close of the day. The benefit of yoga is that you can do the exercises on your own, in your own home. There are books you can read to gain a clearer understanding of how yoga works. In Yoga for Depression: A Compassionate Guide to Relieve Suffering Through Yoga, Yogi Amy Weintraub provides a look at specific ways to use yoga to relieve the symptoms of mild depression. She stresses that yoga is a supplement to conventional therapy. It is not a replacement for that therapy.
Of course, there are classes you can take, as well as CDs and DVDs you can purchase. You can find classes through your YMCA or YWCA, local community center, or check with your local hospital for the location of the nearest site.
What's the Connection to Depression?
You got a hint of the connection in the last section. It's control — learning how to use your body to achieve peace and relaxation. When you've had some time to practice your postures, you may begin to see positive changes in your blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing. The postures, breathing exercises, and meditation all work together to help your body achieve a sense of self and union.
Research has confirmed the benefits of yoga. A Boston University School of Medicine study found that yoga practitioners' brain scans showed a 27 percent increase in levels of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric (GABA) immediately following a one-hour yoga session. Low GABA levels are associated with anxiety and depression, so if yoga can raise those levels, that's exciting news. There's more research on the way.
Are There Any Risks?
You may hear yourself saying, “Don't all those postures hurt? Anyway, I'm too old for yoga.” You are never too old to take control of your body. That's why you start slowly and build gradually. Yoga sessions can last from 20 minutes to an hour. You begin with stretching. As you progress through the postures, you will concentrate on your breathing. Some postures may be uncomfortable at first, especially if you suffer from arthritis or have joint problems. Discuss your plans with your doctor before you begin a yoga regimen.
