topic yoga saved my life in Staying well

yoga saved my life

ro63 — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 10:33:35 GMT

I have been suffering depression for several years and was taking medication for 7 years stopped taking it about 18 months ago now , it helped initially but I think it made me worse in the long run , I then worked up the courage to see a therapist and talked over my worries and self esteem issues which was so hard as a man because we dont talk about our problems , but it really helped me a lot and it was my therapist who suggestedI try yoga . And it changed everything for me I loved it immediately and have been going for about a year now , it is very calming as a big part of each class are breathing exersises and meditation , its not all tying yourself in knots , I highly recommend it , as it has changed the way I think about things and has helped my anxiety the most.if any one is looking for an alternative to medication this is a good place to start.I am not saying to ditch your medication that is something you should talk to your doctor about and get their advice also , but it has worked wonders for me and I hope it can help others too .

yoga saved my life

d1106 — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 06:53:02 GMT

Hi ro63

I'm also male suffering with anxiety and depression and thinking seriously of speaking to a psychologist. Like you I think it would be hard initially to talk to a total stranger but I would like to think that speaking to one would be more helpful than not. Can you share more about your experience with this?

I have also considered yoga for the breathing benefits but as I'm use to more active sports I don't know how I'd go.

Thanks for sharing

yoga saved my life

Jo3 — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 07:09:07 GMT

I was admitted into a mental health facility in April and again in July. As part of their daily program/sessions yoga was included. I thought I would give it a go and I was really surprised at how relaxing and soothing it was for my mind, body and spirit. I now attend as an outpatient and go weekly to yoga and I so forward to Tuesdays. I can't wait for Tuesday morning so I can do yoga. And I must do more at home as well to continue to get the benefit.

I'm not in a good head space at the moment, feeling depressed even more so lately, and I thought maybe it's because I've missed out on yoga for 2 weeks. So I will hopefully go back on Tuesday and try to get back in the right frame of mind.

I believe yoga is really beneficial for your body, mind and spirit. Definitely worth giving it a go.

yoga saved my life

ro63 — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 05:17:25 GMT

Hi there, In reply to talking to a therepist , i would highly recomend it as a first step,for me me, it was very hard to start talking,but the therapists are very good at what they do ,and that is they are very understanding and know how hard it is to as a male in particular, to start talking .for me it was like a ton of weight was lifted ,and felt instant relief , the sessions afterafter that as time went on were harder ,because they really get to the root of the depression /anxiety which can be uncomfortable ,but really nessessery ,and once i found out the root causes it was the best thing in the world for me to come to terms with it.

i started yoga on her suggestion and have not looked back i highly recomend this also as it is easier than you think and also a very nurturing enviroment of calm and like minded people ,yoga is like medicine for the mind with exersise thrown in for free,let me know how you get on,all the very best ro63.

yoga saved my life

ro63 — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 05:23:28 GMT

Hi jo , hope all is well with you ,glad you started yoga ,it really helps ,for me i go 5 times a week ,and have reaped so many benefits from it most people think yoga is all about the exersise , but in fact yoga is all about calming the mind and emotions ,good on you for going and enjoying it ,i wish you all the very best and hope you can turn into a fellow yogi,keep up the good work ,you rock, regards ro63.

yoga saved my life

NicoleP — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 07:01:42 GMT

Hi ro63

I started yoga earlier this year and consider it to be a way of treating myself. It is absolutely relaxing. I attend as part of my gym membership which means that it doesn't cost me any extra. I also love,to have a massage but they can cost quite a bit.

Thanks for sharing what works for you.

Kezza

yoga saved my life

ro63 — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 08:27:28 GMT

Hi kezza, glad it is working for you too keep up the great work,regards ro63.

yoga saved my life

Chris_B — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 01:50:54 GMT

Hi everyone, bumping this thread as today is the International Day Of Yoga. Would anyone else like to share their experiences? Or perhaps just marvel at the flexibility of our little friend below?

yoga saved my life

romantic_thi3f — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 02:33:37 GMT

Hi,

How cute is that puppy dog!

This is super good timing because I just signed up for a free 30 day yoga class. I've heard great things about yoga but when I bend down I make snap crackle pop noises! So I'm hoping this will be a great way to ease into it - and hopefully writing this down will keep me accountable so I can get my butt into gear.

Also for anyone interested - I can't post the website but if you google Yoga Australia 30 day free course it pops up.

yoga saved my life

Lightbeam — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 03:09:08 GMT

Happy World Yoga Day!

As a dedicated yogi/newly qualified teacher, I can not encourage people enough to explore the practice of yoga. A tradition of some 5000 years old, connecting mind, body & spirit, Yoga has major health benefits which I think the western world are really only starting to discover.

For me, Yoga personally has got me through some of my toughest moments of supporting and understanding a loved one with mental illness. It has taught me kindness, compassion, acceptance & above all, to be less judgemental of both myself and towards others.

Namaste xx 🙏🏻

yoga saved my life

Carmela — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 21:43:46 GMT

I practice yoga at least 3-4 days a week. If my day is difficult, I turn to yoga for even 10 minutes to reset my mind. It centres and balances my life and gives me clarity. It truly changed my life mentally, physically and emotionally.

yoga saved my life

Doolhof — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 22:26:28 GMT

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for the reminder about Yoga! I used to do some Yoga as part of an exercise group, left that region and never really looked for another place to practise it.

I do have a CD and booklet somewhere though! I will look for it and try to make the time to practise it.

For many years I had great difficulty in accepting yoga as a form of exercise and for mental relaxation due to Christian beliefs and being told it was anti Christian due to the Asian background of yoga. The minister at one stage even had a sermon on yoga being unacceptable for Christians.

Has anyone else been told these beliefs and if so how to you go about deciding wether yoga is for you or not?

I have also practised some Pilates exercises. A lot of those are very similar to yoga. I do find many benefits in yoga and in Pilates.

For those of you who are not Christians you may be wondering what on earth the fuss is about. I suppose you can relate it to a true vegetarian being offered chicken in their salad.

I'm going to go and try to find that CD!

Cheers all from Mrs. Dools

yoga saved my life

Petra — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 22:44:11 GMT

Adorable yoga pup! Love it.

I recommend yoga too. It's a handy tool my MH toolbox.

Pet. 😊

yoga saved my life

Eglantine — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 00:58:19 GMT

I wrote this at the beginning of last year, after my father died. With three kids and a busy life, I used yoga to make a space for an intentional grieving practice.

Yoga for grief

Take this new heaviness and use it
to anchor yourself.

Stretch yourself into a new shape.
Expand your awareness,
open up the chest,
lengthen and soften.

The sun you flowed up to greet casts the tree's shadow.
The warrior says, Now is the time for being.

In child's pose you can hide from everything
but the child-self.
She is huge, she is the whole world. She is the inner world.
She is small and we are small, gripping to the earth.

In corpse pose, you feel him with you,
and you are not afraid.

yoga saved my life

Petra — Fri, 24 Jun 2016 07:36:31 GMT

That's lovely. Thank you. 😊

yoga saved my life

Airies — Fri, 24 Jun 2016 11:22:46 GMT

Have battl d severe depression and anxiety for the majority of my life. Numerous hospital admissions and prescribed Antidepressants and ECT treatments. Visited my psychiatrist yesterday and thinking I would have additional meds instead advised to use my PRN meds as a last resort and use other coping mechanisms ie deep breathing and also advised yoga would be a great help. Something that I plan to follow up and pursue.

yoga saved my life

Petra — Fri, 24 Jun 2016 21:30:32 GMT

Hello Mrs Dools

I think you are right. Some years ago now, on looking for a change in class venue, my yoga teacher's request to rent at one hall was refused due to a clash in beliefs. I never felt my beliefs were being compromised at any time during class. Even when I moved house and changed yoga teachers. I like yoga for the benefits it brings both physically and mentally. I do yoga exercise at home now, and have been for some years. If you are keen to have a go, please do, it's a nice treat to give yourself. Even if you only have a spare ten minutes. Your beliefs will remain in tact as have mine. In fact, may just bring you a little more closer to them. Clarity!

Pet. 😊

yoga saved my life

Petra — Sun, 26 Jun 2016 19:34:14 GMT

Good on you. I think you'll find it helpful. Another tool for you to use. It certainly helps me.

😊

yoga saved my life

ro63 — Sat, 29 Apr 2017 01:39:59 GMT

I have been feeling very down the last couple of weeks and have let my exersize slip and really felt the difference so I forced myself to go to yoga this morning and It was like a tonic ,well that and venting on the forums so climbing back out of the hole now and feeling a lot more bouyant now ,highly reccomend it .Omm.

yoga saved my life

CMF — Sat, 29 Apr 2017 04:06:45 GMT

Thanks for the tip ro63.

I haven't tried yoga properly but would like to. Been meaning to find a dvd to practise it at home.

cmf