5 Yoga Poses That Combat Depression

One of the chapters in my life included a 10-year bout with deep depression. This depression became compounded when I was confronted with loss and grief.

I took antidepressants of varying kinds for many years and attempted talk therapy. For me, none of these approaches worked. This is not to say antidepressant medications and psychotherapy aren‘t appropriate for some people. They just weren’t appropriate or helpful for me.

It was only when I began practicing yoga that I started to see and feel concrete, sustained shifts in my mental patterns, emotions, and internal state of being. I Died So I Could Haunt You

Anxiety disorders, including depression, are the most common mental illness in the United States.

Many people suffer in silence, not realizing anything is wrong. Thoughts such as, “This is just how I am,” that feeling depressed is normal, or that nothing can make things better can keep people from seeking help.

While it’s normal for everyone to get the blues or feel dishearted or depressed from the loss of a loved one, when these feelings last for more than two weeks and start to interfere with daily functioning and activities, this can be termed a “major depressive episode,” according to the ADAA (Anxiety and Depression Association of America).

There are differing opinions on the cause of depression, but research supports the idea that depression may stem from the mind.

Depression-Fighting Foods

Yoga’s unique mind-body approach is being used more and more to reduce stress in cases of PTSD, treat depression, and to enhance overall well-being.

The following three studies provide some insight into the benefits of yoga for depression and anxiety:

One study reported that GABA levels increased after a session of yoga in experienced practitioners. GABA acts as a neurotransmitter which inhibits nerve transmission to the brain, resulting in calming and quieting the mind.
In another study of women suffering from mental distress, the women showed “significant improvements on measures of stress and psychological outcomes” after participating in a 3-month Iyengar yoga class.
13 psychiatric inpatients were studied to determine the effects of yoga on mood. Participants reported significant improvements in tension-anxiety, depression-dejection, anger-hostility, fatigue-inertia, and confusion-bewilderment.

Yoga asana can be a powerful practice for depression or anxiety, and a key component of this is the breath.

The breathing used in yoga, such as Ujjayi, calms our stress response system and contributes to a state of calm. The result is a mind-body connection that can have far-reaching effects.

There are many yoga poses that individually can be helpful, but an integrated, regular yoga practice, including meditation, can reconnect you with your true essence and your inherent wholeness. In that space of “being,” there is a release of attachment to our worries, problems, fears, or circumstances.

Here are five poses that can specifically help with depression:

Forward fold (Uttanasana). In Light on Yoga, B.K.S. Iyengar says about Uttanasana, “Any depression felt in the mind is removed if one holds the pose for two minutes or more.”

Head-to-Knee Forward Bend (Janu Sirsasana). This seated forward fold is calming for the mind, stretches the hamstrings and groin, and stimulates the liver and kidneys [1].

Cobra (Bhujangasana). This backbend can be done in stages. It expands the chest and gives elasticity to the lungs [1].

Bridge (Setu Bandha Sarvangasana) . Bridge pose is a backbend that strengthens the legs, opens the chest, and stimulates the abdominal organs, lungs, and thyroid. Supported bridge, done with a block under your sacrum, is a nourishing restorative version.

salamba sirsasana supported headstand #5

Use a wall and a friend for support

Supported Headstand (Salamba Sirsasana). Sirsasana is called the “king of all asanas.” [1] Inversions literally turn your world upside down and give your brain cells a fresh supply of blood. Attention and presence are essential in this pose and thus a great way to pause your thoughts and renew your perspective. Restorative versions of sirsasansa, done with props, are an option as well.

These are just a few of my favorites. I’m also sharing a hip and hamstring practice by Kia Miller on Gaiam TV below. Opening the hips and hamstrings is a powerful practice that can release energetic blocks and allow our bodies and minds to function from a more balanced, open place.

Have you found yoga helpful for depression? Please share your comments below.
By Monique Minahan

*****

Hanuman Flow with Kia Miller: Need to boost your mood? Raise your energy level and feel happier with a series of modified Sun Salutations that emphasize keeping your side body long, chest open and shoulders down. This practice includes pigeon pose to release tension in the hips and butt. Intermediate level.

Monique Minahan is a writer, yogi, and lover of life. She’s inspired by nature’s simplicity and the healing power of love. She finds true liberation in living life fully from the inside out. Her intention is to offer her heart to the world through words that motivate, inspire, and encourage. Connect with her at mindfulmo.com.

[1] Light on Yoga, B.K.S. Iyengar

photo credit: lululemon athletica, Helga Weber

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
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Winn A.

6:09AM PDT on Apr 18, 2013

noted

April 18
send a green star

Kerryn A.

6:49PM PDT on Apr 17, 2013

Thanks for this wonderful, positive story. I used to practice yoga regularly until some major life crises led to a 6 year battle with depression. Although the depression has thankfully resolved, I never took up yoga again. Your article has inspired me to start again. Heartfelt thanks

April 17
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Angela B.

4:49AM PDT on Mar 11, 2013

Thanks for the info.

March 11
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Eternal G.

5:06PM PDT on Mar 10, 2013

Always handy to know...

March 10
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Georgia G.

11:47AM PST on Mar 6, 2013

Thanks!

March 6
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Sandra S.

11:31AM PST on Mar 5, 2013

As with all illnesses requiring medication, the pendulum has swung too far - every kind of behaviour is given a label. However, this must not cloud the issue of the very real hell that people who are truly ill must endure. If one day a definitive test can be done to determine one's chemical makeup, and an appropriate medication or course of treatment can be prescribed, it will be an amazing leap ahead for those patients. Just because we didn't hear about it much years ago, doesn't mean it wasn't there. It was ever present - I saw plenty of it.

March 5
send a green star

11:22AM PST on Mar 5, 2013

I'm not sure what point you are trying to make. There has been plenty of discussion on this thread regarding the "evils" of irresponsible medication prescribing, and the role that Drug Corporations play in the mental illness arena. Everyone gets depressed (the blues, down in the dumps, feeling low), but when that condition remains for more than a few weeks, or has formed a pattern throughout one's lifetime, it needs to be addressed as Clinical Depression, often accompanied by Anxiety Disorder. Depression can be situational - cognitive therapy can help people overcome the obstacles that are causing the problem, however, situational depression like PTSD may require more intensive care, including medication. Clinical Depression can also be genetic, or caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain.

Kenneth L.

6:14AM PST on Mar 5, 2013

The term 'depression' as a 'mental disorder' is a term created by the single field of Psychiatry. It is parroted now by everyone and their uncle, including other professions and the average Joe all across society.
Before this term was created AS a 'mental disorder' by Psychiatry, 'depressed' meant you were simply sad, or down, or unhappy. NOT A 'MENTAL DISORDER' Psychiatry has now approx. 400 'mental disorders'.with which to label people.

"We currently have a manufactured epidemic of psychological disorders, and the drug industry is at least partly to blame." Dr. Joanna Moncrief, Psychiatrist

"Mental illness is the drug industry's golden goose---incurable, common, long term, and involving multiple medications. This relation with industry has ingrained a therapeutic drug mindset to treat mental illness. Today, the CDC reports that 25% of US citizens have a psychiatric illness. Isn't this medicalizing normality?" Dr. Des Spence, M.D.

"In our increasingly psychiatrized world, the first course is often to classify anything but routine happiness as a mental disorder, assume it is based on a broken brain or a chemical imbalance, and prescribe drugs..." Dr. Paula Caplan, Psychologist

"Medically speaking, the term "Depression" is a vague constellation of feelings and symptoms scored by a questionnaire..." Dr. Jeffrey Dach, M.D

Hello G.

11:09PM PST on Mar 4, 2013

So true. Thanks.

March 4
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Gosta Z.

5:38AM PST on Mar 4, 2013

Sorry, but no yoga poses can get you out of depression better than Bionergetic Exercises (Alexander Lowen) can do. And if you have courage and find the right therapist you could add real Bioenergetic Analysis to do it better and faster.