Counter Depression With Yoga

BY DR. RITA KHANNA

Depression is a negative state of mind that takes many forms, from the short-lived feelings of sadness. Actually, depression is man’s own creation. Beginning with a child till one attains a tottering old age this mental depression can arise out of any event or situation whatsoever. We are not satisfied with whatever we have. Our wishes, desires and hopes are unlimited. Whenever our desires are not satisfied, at that time ego of our mind feels hurt and responds by a reaction. In Shrimad Bhagavad Gita Lord Shri Krishna has said that mind is the source of happiness or unhappiness. What type of thoughts we accumulate in mind becomes the source of our happiness or unhappiness.

Mind & Its Faculties

Mind is nothing but a collection of Samskaras (impressions). Mind / Manas, Intellect / Buddi, Memory Chitta, Ego / Ahamkara are four functional aspects of the mind. These are four different forms of the same element operating in four different working fields. When the mind does Sankalpa-Vikalpa (will-thought and doubt), it is called Mind; when it discriminates and decides, it is Buddhi; when it is the storehouse of Samskaras and seat of memory, it is Chitta; when it self-arrogates, it is Ahankara. Whatever work (Karma) we do, any incident we see or hear, it reaches our mind, intellect & memory through our working organs (Karmendriyas) & sense organs (Jnanendriyas). It gets embedded in our memory in the shape of subtle form (Sanskar). In fact, our memory is a treasure or bank of all our good & bad Karmas & this memory (Thoughts) is actually our personality. Yog is the main approach for development of personality.

How To Counter Depression

To bring the depression down, first look at why you are depressed. Try to change the nature of mind & emotions. Trust life. When you are emotionally down, think of a happy incident. Always entertain healthy & positive thoughts. Insecurities indicate you to be creative & alert. Lots of people fear failure, death, insecurity & rejection. Understand that when one door closes another opens. Just think it is matter of time that failure is only postponed success. If you bring this energy into your life, it will give you methods of handling any difficult situation. So when fear happens, do not get indentified with it. Just watch it. Witness your fear. Fear is actually just a thought or word. Explore yourself & learn to trust that insecurities, fear & failures are inviting you be creative & making you stronger. We should live in realistic world & stay away from the superiority complex, the inferiority complex & a mix of the both. A slightly clouded sky will get cleared with sunrise. But a sky, which is full of tornado and typhoon, will create terrible destruction before it gets cleared.

Yoga

Control of thought waves in the mind is yoga. In the Yoga Sutra, Saint Patanjali states that our inner obstacles create mental distraction, which in turn leads to depression. These inner obstacles can be removed by the practice of Asana, Pranayama & Meditation. Yoga helps in providing freedom from the negative thoughts and creates an atmosphere of positivity all around. The entire nature is made up of three qualities of Sattva, Rajas and Tamas (purity, activity and ignorance). People with Tamasic Depression lack life force or Prana. Yoga postures will activate and move Prana in the body, open the heart center, stimulate and nervous system and balance the body-mind-spirit. Vigorous practices such as repeated Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskar), Flexibility Exer cises, Sravangasana, Matsyasana, Halasana, Dhanurasana, Vajrasana, Ushtrasana, Shavasana poses can be therapeutic & stimulating and help fight Tamas. The body and mind are so occupied with the practice of these asanas that it’s hard to brood.

Note

When teaching vigorous practices to students with depression, don’t worry much about proper alignment as long as they aren’t doing anything that might cause an injury. It’s better to have them just do the practice and focus on the movement of the breath. These will clear all depression and will surely enlighten the life by rejuvenation and lightening the lamp of hopeful life.

Pranayama

Regular practice of Pranayama increases the mental energy; develops thought-control and thought-culture. This calms the mind, makes the mind steady, reduces stress, alleviates anxiety & helps in concentration and meditation. By Pranayama, the mind gradually moves from the gross to the subtle. When some evil thought disturbs your mind, do Pranayama. The thought will leave you immediately. Pranayamas like Bhramari, Shitali, Shitkari, Kapalabhati, Nadi Sodhana can help in treatment of depression. Bhramari Pranayama helps in rejuvenating the brain and keeps the body active. Shitali, Shitkari Pranayama reduces the anger. Kapalabhati Pranayama makes the brain lighter. Nadi Sodhana Pranayama purifies the Nadis as a result, the pranas are smooth & mind is peaceful.

Meditation

Meditation reduces stress, calms the mind, reduces negativity and creates a positive mental attitude. One should sit for meditation early morning, at noontime, in the evening and at night for 15 to 20 minutes. The patient should go on repeating to his mind “I am quite well, I am quite healthy, I am quite composed.” He should continue thinking that all around is beautiful, all around is auspicious, and then everything will turn out beautiful, healthy, sound and happy.

Some More Suggestions

  • One should go for a long walk in the early morning hours in clear atmosphere.
  • It is advisable to consume fresh vegetables, fresh juices of fresh fruits, sprouted grains & skimmed milk without cream. Drink lots of water daily.
  • Eat at least three meals per day. Skipping meals promotes high stress and low energy. Eat protein with every meal. Eat complex carbohydrates such as brown rice.
  • A study of good books, company of people of matured thought and positive thinking, company of people who can infuse faith, inspire and leave deep impression would be of much help.
  • By approaching a psychiatrist, for timely advice and treatment.

Avoid

Tamasic thoughts, negative thinking, day dreaming, sexual thoughts, short breathing, wrong method of breathing, anger, worry, excessive happiness, excessive sorrow, spicy food, fried food, sugar, junk food, white flour, cookies, cake, caffeine alcohol, smoking, extreme sleeping or sleeplessness. Alcohol can worsen depression, anxiety, and sleep problems.

If you feel inspired by this article, feel free to publish it in your Newsletter or on your Website. Our humble request is to please include the Resource as follows: Courtesy: Dr. Rita Khanna’s Yogashaastra Studio. A popular studio that helps you find natural solutions for complete health and detoxification.

Mobile: 09849772485 Ph:-040-65173344 Email: yogashaastra@gmail.com

Dr. Rita Khanna

Dr. Rita Khanna is a well-known name in the field of Yoga and Naturopathy. She was initiated into his discipline over two decades ago by world famous Swami Adyatmananda of Sivananda Ashram in Rishikesh.

She believes firmly that Yoga is a scientific process, which helps us to lead a healthy and disease-free life. She is also actively involved in practicing alternative medicines like Naturopathy. Over the years, she has been successfully practicing these therapies and providing succour to several chronic and terminally ill patients.

At present, Dr. Rita Khanna is teaching Yoga in Secunderabad. She has been treating and curing various diseases and disorders through Yoga, Diet and Naturopathy and has been achieving tremendous satisfaction in disseminating this virtue.

Yoga and Three Prosperity Myths

BY DR. PAUL JERARD, E-RYT 500

Do you think that you should not be paid for teaching Yoga? Have you ever been told that a spiritual life cannot have prosperity? Do you believe that you should live a life of suffering? Let’s talk about three obstacles that people create to avoid prosperity.

First myth: While it is true that prosperity is not all about money, it is also true that many people have an ethical problem with wealth. The first of these obstacles rests in the belief that one should not be paid for his or her time. If you can teach me how to improve at golf, skiing, or tennis, you should be paid for it.

Now, I ask you: Is a Yoga teacher’s time worth less than an instructor who will teach you a sports skill? Yoga instructors teach methods for improving mental, spiritual, emotional, and physical health. Is that worth less than a golf, skiing, or tennis lesson?

Second myth: A spiritual life cannot be prosperous. Were all of the temples, churches, mosques, and shrines built for free? Someone had to donate building materials, labor, and permits, to build spiritual gathering places. In life, nothing is really free. If you live off the land as a hunter and gatherer, you still have to devote much of your time toward your basic survival.

The homeless devote a lot of time toward gathering returnable bottles. During the winter season, in northern climates, the homeless spend a significant amount of time keeping warm. Warmth becomes as important as food. Some do not succeed and they literally freeze to death.

If you acquire too much wealth from teaching Yoga, please devote it to the nearest charity for the homeless. To be able to create abundance and donate it to others is a noble deed. If you volunteer to live in poverty, your time will be devoted toward your basic survival, and it is doubtful you will have the resources to help others.

Third Myth: “I do not deserve prosperity.” In reality, this is the same as: “I deserve to suffer.” Whatever you believe becomes your reality. If you attract suffering, it will surely come to you. A life of suffering, misery, and poverty is the last thing you want to attract to yourself.

When we look at life, it should be with a balanced viewpoint. Whatever you give, you will also receive. If you love others, you will be loved. If you hate others, you will be hated. If prosperity comes your way, take it and give your fair share to those who have greater problems.

© Copyright 2009 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications