I believe I understand why depression and anxiety are so prevalent in the United States and other Western countries at this time. I’ve met many people, especially through teaching Yoga, who are peace-loving, kind-hearted, and compassionate. Such people are doing the best they can to live good, wholesome – even deeply spiritual – lives, but they are overwhelmed.
It’s hard hearing about the constant wars going on around the world, the effects of climate change, the greed and lies of politicians, sky-rocketing prices of housing and other necessities, and various scandals. It’s tough not to feel beaten down by all of this. And of course, if we’re honest with ourselves, we can also see our own weaknesses and mistakes which contribute to the pain of life in this world.
All of these conditions are quite normal reasons for feeling depressed and anxious. Basically, for most people dealing with mild depression and anxiety, there’s nothing really wrong! (Note: Yes, there are serious, even life-threatening cases, which are something different requiring specialized medical attention.)
I believe the major problem is that people have not been taught how to manage their own thoughts and how to work effectively with their own emotions. Physicians are not taught about this; they are taught to prescribe medication. A quick and easy “solution.” Therefore, the vast majority of people who are taking medication for depression or anxiety don’t really need that. They need to be taught to slow down and pay attention to what is actually happening inside them.
Example from Medical News Today: ”The data available suggest that low serotonin levels do not cause depression. However, this does not mean that doctors will stop utilizing antidepressants as a treatment option. Instead, it calls for more research about why antidepressants work the way they do.” I wonder if low serotonin is actually an effect of being depressed for a while.
I have seen many Yoga students who come to classes regularly because they know (consciously or unconsciously) they need to slow down and listen within themselves. They know there is something about Yoga that helps them feel better, something that gives them practical tools to bring into daily life. Indeed, yoga philosophy teaches we are so much more than the physical body we tend to emphasize. Besides the physical body, we have our energetic body, mental/emotional body, wisdom body, and contentment/bliss body. These are the five koshas (sheaths) of our body. Yoga helps us feel better because it addresses all five of these sheaths, and it helps us connect with our deepest sheaths of wisdom, peace, contentment, bliss.
Yoga is meant to be practiced meditatively for the greatest mental and emotional benefits. Forcing the body to perform fancy poses can cause injury. Practicing with goats or other external stimuli teaches the mind to keep reaching for distractions to numb emotional pain. Nothing special is needed for the practice. All we need to do is show up with an open mind and heart, trusting the process.
A single practice session helps us feel better. Over time, the cumulative effect is even greater. I invite you to practice any way you can, whether alone or with a group or with a private yoga therapist. Look and listen deeply within yourself. Trust what you find there even if it’s sometimes painful because the very act of looking and listening begins the process of healing.
Holistic Yoga & Spiritual Guidance 