Yoga For Depression – II
 Postures for an energetic and happy state
 Depression is a state of ultimate low energy where you don’t feel like even lifting up your hand leave alone doing postures. Yet these simple backward bending postures open up the energy channels in your body so that you can move to a more energetic and happy state.

Caution: Exercise one should not be done by those with high blood pressure or with heart problems. Exercise two should be avoided by those with peptic ulcers, hernia and hyper thyroidism. Those with severe back problems should avoid exercise three.

Ex 1A, 1B

 

Exercise 1

• Stand straight, the feet together, the palms joined in front of your chest

• Inhale, keep the palms together and bend the back, stretching your arms over your head

• Exhale and come back to the start position

• Repeat ten times.

Exercise 2

 

Exercise 2

• Lie on your stomach, the legs straight, the feet together, the soles upward and the forehead on the floor

• Place the palms below and to the side of the shoulders, the elbows tucked in close to the body

• Inhale, slowly raise the head and upper body, straighten the arms and curve the back backward to the maximum as shown

• Hold, breathing normally

• Exhale as you slowly come down to start position.

 

Exercise 3

 

Exercise 3

• Stand on the knees, the knees a little apart, the feet stretched out

• Lean back; catch hold of the right heel with the right hand and then the left heel with the left hand

• Push the abdomen forward, drop the head back and arch backward as far as you can

• Hold as long as comfortable, breathing normally

• Slowly release one hand, then the other and come back to start position.

Exercise 4

Exercise 4

• Sit back on your heels, the knees together, the toes overlapping, the back straight and the palms on the knees

• Inhale, slowly raise both arms straight above your head

• Exhale and slowly bend forward, the arms straight and in line with the ears. Rest the forehead on the floor and bring the palms together

• Hold for 30 seconds, the body relaxed, breathing normally

• Inhale, slowly raise the arms and the upper body, exhale and lower the arms to start position.