If this is how you’ve been feeling, you might find some relief by practicing yoga. Regarding this age-old system, it is important to remember that yoga isn’t just for physical health but also contributes to improving mental health.
Yoga has shown its efficacy in multiple things like weight loss, cognitive behavior, physical ailments, and mental health is another thing that yoga can take care of.
Multiple studies have been published in journals like PLOS ONE, the International Journal of Preventive Medicine, the Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine, and more that have noted that yoga has shown promising results regarding depression and anxiety.
That’s why, we’ve got in touch with Grand Master Akshar, a yoga expert, to help us understand why some poses in yoga are paramount when it comes to depression and anxiety.
But before you begin on this yoga journey, please bear in mind that ease poses can ease your depressive symptoms but cannot cure your depression. If you do have depression, please seek professional help.
Here are the five yoga poses that you can do regularly to fight depression:
1. Child’s pose aka balasana
Chila child is known to bestow stability and calmness on you. According to an article published by Harvard Medical School and a study published International Archives of Otorhinolaryngology, practicing a child’s pose daily can help in reducing the symptoms of depression or anxiety.
Grand Master Akshar says, “The formation of the Child’s Pose or Balasana itself is extremely calming and restful. One of the most comfortable poses in yoga, it is used as a break in between transitions. It gently stretches your lower back and hips, enabling your body to relax. Placing the forehead on the ground immediately makes one feel rooted and connected to the Earth. This provides a sense of stability and is helpful if your anxiety is impacting your sleep.”
2. Plow pose aka halasana
“Halasana or Plow Pose enhances your posture by reducing the strain on your back. When the back is stretched, it has a soothing effect on your brain and reduces stress. This pose is very helpful for those who suffer from headaches and insomnia. The formation of Halasana is such that the head is placed below the heart” he says.
He added that, “This is soothing and cooling for the nervous system. The brain receives fresh, oxygenated blood which can help you manage anxiety, depression, and insomnia.”
3. Bridge pose aka sethu bandhasana
Well, this one is not just great for depression and anxiety but it also helps your gut to stay healthy.
Grand Master Akshar says, “Bridge Pose is a powerful inversion which is known to open up space around your heart. As a heart opener, it is believed to increase a person’s focus and clarity. Inversion poses generally can be helpful for those with anxiety. Bridge Pose or Sethu Bandhasana can be done to relieve any strain on the back. It strengthens the back muscles and provides relief to a tired spine. It makes you feel light and is ideal for people suffering from stress, anxiety, and depression.”
