How Yoga can Beat the Winter Blues!

The long, cold, dreary days of late winter can wear even the most cheerful disposition down. What is commonly now called Seasonal Affective Disorder – SAD is really a mild but troubling form of depression.

The word “depression” covers a wide range of conditions from long-standing and severe clinical depression to shorter-term and mild episodic depression, also called dysthymic disorder. There is situational depression, brought on by major life changes, the death of a beloved, job loss or divorce.

Studies indicate that regular yoga exercise and breathing can help some people ease the symptoms of mild to moderate forms of depression.

Of course, one major hurdle in using exercise to alleviate depression is motivation or lack of it. Most depressed people don’t really feel much like getting out of bed in the morning, much less heading out to a crowded, tense gym environment. Then too, failure to see the exercise program through can make a depressed person feel worse. So start off slowly. Find a certified, supportive teacher and consider inviting a friend to begin with you. Yoga and exercise should be joyful, effective and safe. It should support whatever other measures you take to increase your happiness and vitality.

Begin today with this simple breathing meditation:

You may sit or recline comfortably with your eyes soft or closed.
Begin to inhale gently through the nose with your lips sealed.
Exhale through slightly pursed lips.
As you inhale, imagine that you begin to draw health, strength, joy and peace.
As you exhale, let go of tension, holding and residual stress.

Even the most fortunate people experience difficulty and depression. Be willing with each breath to detach from anyholding, discomfort or sadness. Continue to inhale more light, new life and fresh energy. Each and every exhale releases mental and emotional toxins.

Practice breathing and meditating in this fashion for a few minutes several times a day. Eventually, you will be able to practice this simple technique while walking and engaging in other simple leisure activities.