You may hear that Yoga is praised for its health benefits, especially where mental health is concerned. But can it really help anxiety?
This is my personal journey about how Yoga has helped me and my anxiety and also how it helps me every day, especially as we move into Autumn/Winter.
September has arrived quickly and for me this is the month my anxiety can start to get worse, this can be very different for many of us and we are all different so it can be worse at different times of the year depending on what’s happening. I’m very aware I also suffer from Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) which can increase my anxiety, as the weather is closing in it's getting colder and darker nights so not as much sunlight (which is what I miss so much about the Spring and Summer) …
Anxiety for me is a horrible sense of fear, worry, overthinking, panic and overwhelming sensations and thinking that bad things that can happen rather then turning them in to the good things, which to people who may not suffer from anxiety wouldn’t understand, we all have these feelings from time to time but anxiety is so much worse. So, I would think “O no winter is coming, Illnesses, Dark mornings/nights, Not being able to go outside in my garden as much, Feeling trapped, Cold weather, Christmas, don’t want to see people” Etc… the list is endless.
As I’m a highly creative person and always on the go thinking about the next thing after the next, it made me realise that Yoga in fact could benefit me to slow those frantic moments down, and the challenge to slow my mind down while keeping me fit and healthy.
From the first day I started Yoga I noticed a massive difference, just to sit and notice my breath while focusing on my inhales and exhales really made a massive difference to me, I felt that for once in my life I was able to focus on something and not think about anything else. I didn’t notice the time, didn’t worry about what was coming or what had happened just what is present.
Shavasana, was the moment I also realised how much tension I held in my body, shoulders, jaw and face. Being able to bring that calm awareness to those areas of my body which held so much stress and tension caused by my anxiety was amazing. Who knew you could hold so much tightness and tension in different parts of the body…?
“I wasn’t distracted by worries or thoughts, I just focused on own body and my own breathing”
And once I connected to the breath and how-to breath properly using Ujji breathing, the practice seemed to just merge as one. The power of breathing to physically calm the nervous system during a moment of anxiety made so much sense. The more yoga I did the more I felt in control of my thoughts and mindset. Being able to focus on my practice and nothing else was for me the best thing I could ever do. And after I just felt so much happier and calmer. The breath was the key for me, from setting foot on my mat at the start of my practice to the end of my practice my safe place, just instantly helped me.
I know my anxiety will never go away, I still get moments where I am really anxious and struggle especially this time of year. But that’s why continue to be dedicated to my yoga as I know it helps me and gets me through moments of worry. It helps me stay grounded connected and focused.
Yoga is my therapy when I need it the most.
Here is a quick breathing exercise you can do which can very quickly slow your heart rate down and help if you have an anxiety attack.
1) Sit in a comfy position on a mat, floor, rug, towel, chair, bed… anywhere that’s most safe to you and comfy where distractions are minimum.
2) Relax your shoulders and place your hands, in your lap, on your knees where-ever is most relaxed for you. Try to relax tension from your face.
3) Take a deep normal breath in through the nose – open the mouth and sigh it out with the sound ahhhhh! Do these 2 more rounds bringing your awareness to your breath.
4) Next take a deep inhale for 4 counts in – the exhale for 6 breath out. Continue this for 10 rounds inhaling 1,2,3,4 exhaling for 6,5,4,3,2,1
5) Once completed your ten rounds – Take a normal breath in and a normal breath out keeping in the silence and stillness you have created in your meditation.
6) Bring awareness to your toes, fingers tips, roll your shoulders and neck from left/right just bringing gentle movements back into the body.
7) Slowly open your eyes – taking note of how your body is now feeling and being grateful for these changes that have helped you.
Whenever you feel anxious try to take a moment to stop and disconnect from those overwhelming thoughts/worries. Give yourself YOU TIME something we do forget in our busy lives take moments of gratitude and be kind to yourself. So in my opinion yes yoga does help towards anxiety and stress you just need to try and see the amazing effects it really does have.
If you want to try a beginners yoga class come join me on Thursday evenings 6.15pm - 7.15pm at Planet Dance Studios, Solihull book online - www.beyoubeyoga.co.uk
Written By Emma Blunston
Be You Be Yoga Manager
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