Yoga games for mental strength.

                                                                       
                                       

Exercise and good nutrition is the key to a healthier you.                     PASCHIMOTTANASAN

  (Seated Forward Bend)

The number of Americans on Prozac and other anti-depressant continues to grow,($44 billion in sale). Although many others are finding relief by incorporating yoga and making lifestyle changes on their mat.

"Yoga postures can penetrate what Wilhelm Reich, the founder of the science of bio-energetics, called 'character armor', our unconsciously held patterns of physical contractions and defenses."

Pose instructions:

Sit on your mat with legs outstretched. Stretch the arms overhead and lengthen the spine. On an exhalation, reach the arms forward and rest the hands on the feet, calves, and knees, depending on your level of flexibility. Stay in pose, inhale deeply, and on each successive exhalation, let the torso sink towards the legs. After several breaths, reach the arms forward on an inhale and come up sitting.

Inverted postures works particularly well, it alters the blood flow, benefiting lymphatic drainage and the cranial sacral fluid. Increased blood flow to the head area = increased bio-availability of oxygen and glucose, and it is the two most important metabolic substrates for the brain."

Supported inversion and back bends for people suffering from a depression characterized by inertia or fatigue.

For anxiety a more active sequence is advised, modify your poses according to experience and physical energy level. Keep your eyes open wide while practicing, and move from posture to posture without pausing in between, to generate life force and focus the mind on the body.

Because there are different types of depression, some poses and sequences will work better for you than others. Listen to the needs of your body and mind and make modifications accordingly. Inevitably while you exercising you will face difficult thoughts or feelings, replace/balance these thought and feelings with positive images and thoughts- giving you better feeling. As you create positive physical and mental space within as you do yoga poses, you'll create space within your consciousness and environment.

Other recommended poses: 

Supported Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward facing Dog)

Viparita Dandasana (Inverted Staff Pose)

Urdhva Dhanurasana (Upward Bow Pose or Backbend)


posted by Onyinye A