How To Cure Depression Through Yoga

Yoga & Depression

Depression is such a varied and complex illness that a ‘one size fits all’ approach is unlikely to be fully effective for a significant proportion of its patients, still, Yoga therapy can assist them in symptom management and recovery – and in cases of mild depression, it can be their primary self-help tool which can prevent their symptoms from worsening.

What is Depression?

Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses in the world. It is a mood disorder characterized by feelings of excessive tiredness, sadness, lifelessness, and apathy, accompanied by intense introversion and inferiority and a loss of interest in things. Truly speaking, it is a state of tamas, where the simplest task becomes daunting to a normally competent human being.

Yoga Therapy For Depression

Yoga can help in a big way when it comes to treating depression. We keep four factors in mind when we deal with depression through Yoga –

1. It can help by stimulating the endocrine glands to secrete the required mood-elevating hormones. The best example, in this case, is backward bending asanas.
2. It can further help by developing a balance between the two important energy channels Ida and Pingala so that neither the physical nor the mental faculty predominates. Nadi Shodhana Pranayama is the best for this.
3. Some practices of Yoga can help by energizing the nerves and mental faculty of a depressed person. The best example here is Bhastrita and Kapal Bhati.
4. While certain other practices in yoga can help bring the agitated mind of a depressed person in a calm state. Bharmari Pranayama, Nadi Shodhana Pranayama and Yoga Nidra can be put in this category.

Considering the above factors, we find that the best practices to deal with depression can be Hatha Yoga Practices, which include Asana, Pranayama, Bandhas, and Shatkarma practices. Here we discuss them step by step. To the Hatha Yoga practices is added Yoga Nidra, the best way to relax and energize the body.

Yoga Poses For Depression

Yoga Poses increase blood circulation to the brain and enable the production of the mood-elevating hormones. Backward bending Yoga Poses are ideal in the yogic management of depression because of their direct effect upon the adrenal glands and also on the thyroid gland. Here are some of the asanas that are great for depression –

Surya Namaskar  

Alternate forward and backward bending in this dynamic group of asanas along with synchronized exhalation and inhalation respectively ensures that the practitioner breathes deeply and rhythmically encouraging the supply of fresh and oxygenated blood to the brain. It harmonizes the whole endocrinal system of glands and helps to remove any irregularities by directly massaging and increasing the blood flow to them. These two above factors make Surya Namaskar one of the best Yogic series in the management of depression.

Bhujangasana – The Cobra Pose

The intra-abdominal pressure is increased to a very high level by the practice of Bhujangasana which further tones up the whole abdominal viscera including the adrenal gland. The balanced secretion of its hormone, adrenaline is vital in managing the depression.

Dhanurasana – The Bow Pose

In the final pose of Dhanurasana, the pancreas and the adrenal glands are toned, balancing their secretions. Further, the circulation of fresh and oxygenated blood is promoted throughout the body including the brain. The nervous system is strengthened by the practice of Dhanurasana. All these properties make this asana an important part of any Yogic management series of depression.

Ustrasana – The Camel P0se

Ustrasana stimulates and rejuvenates the nervous system. When practiced with awareness, the Ustrasana pose develops the strength to deal with the stress. This asana trains the mind to remain neutral and balanced under adverse and tough conditions. The adrenal gland is toned in this Yoga pose also and hence a great yoga pose for depression.

Shashankasana – The Hare Pose

The regular practice of Shashankasana influence the adrenal glands and the practitioner experiences stress reduction and calmness. It is therefore recommended for controlling frustration, anger, depression, and anxiety.

Pawanmuktasana Series No. 1 Asanas

Pawanmuktasana Series No. 1 asanas (Shareer Sanchalanasana asanas), also called Sukshma Vyayama, can be helpful when we find that the body of a person has become stiff or unwell, which is quite common in the case of depression.

Pranayama For Depression

Pranayama practices can contribute enormously to a person’s sense of well-being by giving them the required self-confidence and mental strength to tackle depression. Certain pranayamas are tranquilizing in nature and some pranayama may increase agitation of mind and therefore should be used judiciously. The pranayamas that are useful in depression management are –

1. Nadi Shodhana Pranayama
2. Kapal Bhati Pranayama
3. Bhastrika Pranayama
4. Ujjayi Pranayama
5. Bhramari Pranayama

Nadi Shodhana Pranayama develops a balance between the two important energy channels Ida and Pingala. Kapal Bhati and Bhastrika have an energizing effect. Ujjayi has both a tranquilizing and energizing effect whereas the Bhramari pranayama has a great tranquilizing effect taking a practitioner into a very high state of concentration.

Usefulness Of Bandhas In Depression

Uddiyana Bandha and Mool Bandha can play a great role in depression management.

1. Uddiyana Bandha, which has a direct impact on Manipura Chakra (The Solar Plexus), the powerhouse of the body, is effective in reducing the feeling of emptiness, so often experienced by depressed people. It is of great help in managing post-natal depression, where the woman has physically ‘lost’ a part of herself.
2.  Moola bandha lift energy and begins the process of bringing repressed experiences into conscious awareness.

Shatkarma And Depression

We talk of two practices of cleansing processes, the Shatkarmas for management of depression  –

Jala Neti

Generally, the Jala Neti, the nasal cleansing, is done using a warm saline water, but here a cool saline solution can be recommended rather than a normal warm solution as a mild shock to the nervous system, in this case, will have an awakening effect on the brain, and the forced exhalations that follow after the Jala Neti will further have an energizing effect.

Jala Dhauti

The next cleansing practice Jala Dhauti, also called Kunjal kriya should be practiced only by those who do not experience anxiety symptoms as a part of the depression. It involves the drinking and vomiting out of a warm saline solution, which cleanses the stomach at a physical level. It is most valuable in the management of depression as it removes the energy blocks which are formed because of consistently repressed painful emotions.

Yoga Nidra And Depression

Yoga Nidra can play a vital in the yogic management of depression. It offers the possibility of respite from the incessant flow of negative thoughts. The use of a carefully chosen Sankalpa (the resolution) during the practice will help the practitioner to grow in strength and self-esteem. Further, the decision to dedicate 25 to 35 minutes daily to the Yoga Nidra which is a form of self-care is an important step in healing. It results in increased energy and reduced tiredness.

When you do yoga, you become aware of your body and get disconnected from the external world. It makes you feel whole and connected. Yoga offers support and solace and the ability to live in the present. The unique mind-body approach of yoga is more and more becoming the choice to fight depression. It is holistic and long-lasting without any side effects.