Yoga for Mental Health: Part 1
What has your relationship been with yoga? Maybe you’ve heard about it but never tried it, maybe you were forced to go to a class once with a friend and didn’t connect to it, or maybe you practice it daily. In our Western culture people seem to either love yoga or hate it.
I get it, yoga is complex, some use it as a spiritual practice, some an exercise, and some as a way to understand themselves more fully and to find healing. Regardless of your relationship with yoga thus far, there can be a powerful connection between the practice of yoga and mental health.
Through the practice of yoga we can learn to be still, to quiet our mind, to be more intentional, to slow down, to focus inward, to be mindful of our bodies, to reset our nervous systems, to let go of things we’ve been holding, and so much more.
While I’ve mentioned that for some people yoga is a spiritual practice, you don’t have to identify with it in that way in order to still benefit from it. I’ll admit for awhile I was skeptical, unsure of what I could really get from it and feeling super weird about trying it. However, with time it has become one of my main sources of self-care.
In this 3 part series on “Yoga for Mental Health”, we are going to dive into what yoga can offer us as well as what to consider when doing yoga (part 1), the “Types of Yoga” that you will likely come across in practice (part 2), and the “Theories of Yoga” (part 3).
Throughout this series and especially in the “Theories of Yoga” section, I will be using terms from Hindu and Buddhist tradition to explain the different “limbs” of yoga. I want to invite all of my readers to stay curious and open minded as we dive into this information, regardless of your beliefs or religious orientation.
As mentioned previously, the practice and benefits from yoga can be appreciated by anyone and this information is provided to you from a lens of how practicing and understanding yoga can be an incredible resource for improving mental health.
Lastly for this section of the series I want to cover some important things to consider when beginning the practice of yoga. First, yoga is not about flexibility, yoga is unique and different for everyone and feeling stiff, inflexible, or unable to achieve a certain pose does not mean that yoga is not for you. Be patient and kind with yourself as you begin to explore a new way of understanding you and your body.
Second, yoga can be a powerful practice in many ways. If you find that during your practice you feel suddenly tired or emotional, allow yourself the space to stay curious about what is coming up for you without judgement. Take a break if you need it or find a comfortable resting pose to relax and move through the emotions.
Finally, if you have had any traumatic experiences in the past, practicing yoga can at times bring up symptoms, sensations, emotions, or triggers that you may not yet understand. Please make sure that you are practicing under a "trauma-sensitive/informed” yoga instructor and have accessible resources and supports available when needed.
It may also be helpful to begin engaging in outpatient therapy services that can provide a supportive, safe space to explore what comes up for you during your practice. If you are interested in getting started with therapy please contact me today by calling 828-761-1525 or sending me a direct message on the “Contact” page.
Stay tuned for the second part of this series, “Yoga for Mental Health: Part 2-Types of Yoga”. Namaste!
