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Benefits of Yoga for Anxiety
Sunnah Rose on 03 December, 2009 |

Depression and Anxiety Disorders are the most common forms of mental health problems encountered today. 1 in 10 people will have to deal with one or the other in any given year.
Yoga is a unique technique for dealing with these disorders. The ancient tradition of Yoga is a practice that has always been devoted to the synthesis of physical and mental health and is a holistic approach that recognises ‘physical states affect mental states, mental states affect bodily states and all actions can affect the body and mind’.

In affect it is saying that we have to work not only on the body but in conjunction with the mind to influence our mental state, or that we must have a healthy body and mind to fully reach a state of well being and wellness. This is where yoga comes in, a union between the body and mind, postures and breathing to keep the mind focussed, the body supple and fit and to create mental harmony.

Yoga does not offer cure for depression and anxiety orders, however it is powerful tool for symptomatic treatment. Yoga focussing on asana (Postures), pranayama (breathing) and meditation help to develop a stronger state of mind which in itself will help over come fears leading to anxiety. Depression is often caused by a combination of recent life events and personal factors including chemical changes in the brain and inherited disposition. Yoga gives back control over both of these factors, aiding in stress control and helping to create a balanced, calm state of mind with which to approach life.

ASANA
By practicing asana (postures) we maintain a healthy body and nervous system. The approach into, during and the release gained from the postures all help create a sense of calm and well being as well as strengthening muscles, and increasing core strength. The postures also improve ones moods as it moves energy around the body into places where feelings of anger or grief may be stored, allowing tensions to be eased out and redistributed. It also works on any physical symptoms that may be caused due to the mental state, a dangerous vicious cycle. Something as simple as releasing the tension in the shoulders, helping to relieve postural pain and headaches can have a knock on effect to mood, pain management and mental outlook.

Asanas put pressure on glands and organs, helping them to produce the soothing, healing chemical balance that is needed to feel well and be well. Each Asana has its own benefits, all include improving circulation of blood and oxygen around the body and helpling to flush out toxins whilst stretching and strengthening.

ALWAYS REMEMBER THE BREATH
To breathe properly is essential for good health. Due to lifestyles now a days shallow breath is all too common, which in itself is a symptom recognized in conjunction with someone suffering maybe from a panic attack. Cells rely on a sufficient oxygen supply which means that we all have to learn to breathe properly. To stop and take a deep breath has an immediate calming effect as the body responds to the increased oxygen flow, allowing energy to flow throughout our bodies instead of being confined to the ‘vital areas’.

We must learn how to breathe correctly, and then use this breath in a variety of ways. If we start with our every day breath, just some slight changes may be needed so as to train it to become calm and deep. Inhaling and exhaling through the nostril, drawing it down into the diaphragm. Through practice and concentration we are able to approach our breathing differently, and this breath can be used as a constant tool to stabilise the body. Stress fuels depression and anxiety and they, in turn, fuel more stress. Breath can intervene in this cycle by reducing the stress and calming the body.

What is lovely about this technique is that we can use it alongside asana, so within a posture we will come back to the breath, allowing it to find its normal pace in a calm manner and then noticing how the body will relax into its place. This is especially good as some postures can be hard and if we use the breath to help ourselves focus we will notice a major difference in how we settle into it. The breath control that we develop whilst putting our body through mildly stressful poses can then be utilised in other areas of our life.

Breath also plays a major part in the practice of meditation. Meditation is a mental discipline by which one attempts to get beyond the conditioned, "thinking" mind into a deeper state of relaxation or awareness. Simply meditation can involve turning ones attention to a single point of reference, commonly the breath.

PRANAYAMA ‘Vital Life Force’
Yoga also incorporates this breath into breathing techniques in forms of controlled breathing called Pranayama. Prana is the word for the vital energy of the universe and Ayana generally means stretch. Pranayama is the practice of using deep breathing to create a balance of prana in the body. When there is not enough prana in the body, a person becomes restless and feels constricted. Stress and Anxiety can be due to an imbalance of prana in the body, so by using certain breathing techniques that are designed to bring more prana in the body we can re balance this issue.

In addition, the regular practice of both asana and pranayama leads to greater internal sensitivity, which can allow students to detect the first glimmer of an anxiety or panic attack and respond with yogic tools that might head off the problem. The earlier in the process you can intervene, the better it will work as a treatment.

Yoga is not a cure for depression and anxiety disorders but when yogic principles are incorporated in to your life the symptoms become far easier to control. Many sufferers find themselves withdrawing from society, lethargic, tired, suffering from appetite problems, sleeplessness, frustrated, miserable and unable to concentrate.

Yoga provides a set of tools with which an individual can combat these symptoms and wrest control of their mental state back. The increased awareness of the body will allow sufferers to be vigilant of their inner states and the social situation and routine of regular yoga classes can help with some of the social problems that these disorders can provoke.

About Sunnah Rose
Sunnah Rose, Yoga Teacher and Dr Radhika Shah, Directors of the Butterfly Yoga Trust, Community Interest Company www.stretchingpeople.co.uk and www.butterflyyogatrust.org