5 Yoga Poses To Rid You Of Depression

At some point in time in our lives, we all feel low and depressed. We often question ourselves, who we really are and whether we are good enough or not. It is natural to be happy at some point in time and sad in the next. Depression is an illness that affects your brain. It is your reaction to something sad like loss of someone or something, or dejection. When these feelings aggravate and become intense, it leads to a medical condition called clinical depression.

An individual struggling with depression often finds him or herself spending long hours isolated from the family, friends, and others who matter them. Disturbed sleep patterns, changes in eating habits and excessive mood swings are some of the characteristic symptoms of depression.

Yoga is one of the best ways to lighten your mood and keep depression at bay. Yoga poses increase blood circulation to the brain and enable the production of the mood-elevating hormones. The practice of yoga doesn’t have any adverse side-effects, which makes it a better option as compared to other medications for depression.

Best Yoga Practices For Depression

Here are some anti-depression yoga poses. Try them for at least 12 weeks to notice significant changes.

1. Balasana (Happy Baby Pose)

Representative Image

Balasana helps calm your brain and relieves stress and anxiety. It gently stretches your lower back and hips, enabling your body to relax. Peace and calm prevail over your entire being by performing this, helping you deal with your depression better.

Balasana is considered one of the most comfortable yoga poses. All you have to do is kneel and sit on your heels. Make sure your big toes touch each other. Keep your hands on your knees and spread your knees hip-width apart. Then, bend your torso forward, in between your divided thighs, with your face touching the ground. Bring your arms forward and place them on either side of your head, with the palms facing down. Be in this position for a few minutes.

2. Sethu Bandhasana (Bridge Pose)

Representative Image

Sethu Bandhasana strengthens the back muscles and relieves a tired back. It helps you relax and works wonders for people suffering from stress, anxiety, and depression. Sethu Bandhasana opens up your heart, making you feel lighter and at ease. To do the pose, Lie flat on the ground, face up and hands on either side. Slowly lift your hips upwards while inhaling. Bring it back down and repeat.

3. Savasana (Corpse Pose)

Representative Image

Savasana rejuvenates you and helps your body relax. It reduces blood pressure and lets the effects of the previous poses to sink in better. Finally, after all the mind and body invigorating poses, Savasana will give you rest and all the scope to heal.

To do the Savasana, lie on the floor on your back. Keep your feet a few inches apart and let them fall sideways. Let your arms lie alongside your body with your palms facing upwards. Now, gently close your eyes and let your whole body relax, slowly and gently. Take deep breaths, and stay in the moment.

4. Uttanasana (Standing Forward Fold Pose)

Representative Image

Uttanasana relieves stress in your back, shoulders, and neck and improves the functioning of your nervous system. It calms you down and reduces anxiety. Uttanasana also improves blood circulation. To do the Uttanasana, stand straight with your arms alongside your body and your feet at arms’ length. Now, place your arms on your hips and bend forward at the hips. Make your head and chest touch your thighs. Bring your hands down and put them beside your feet or hold your ankles from behind. Keep your thighs straight.

5. Baddha Konasana (Butterfly Posse)

Representative Image

It is often referred to as the “Cobbler Pose”, named after the position cobblers sit in while working. The asana helps strengthen the thighs, knees, hips and the back. It is a great anti-depressant pose and improves emotional stability.

To do the Baddha Konasana, sit with an upright back, knees bent and holding your feet tightly together. Deeply inhale and flap your bent legs up and down like a butterfly.