One of my main aims for the coming year is to get fitter and stronger again. Over the course of the last few years I have gradually become unfit, overweight and generally unhealthy due to either the illness or the effect of the drugs I was taking. I feel really excited about getting fit again as I know how good it feels - I used to be super fit once upon a time!
However, because I have to be really careful and take things slowly to avoid a relapse, throwing myself back into a gruelling gym routine really isn't a good idea. So I'm starting with yoga. Not that yoga is physically 'easy' by any means but it is a good way to encourage my body back into movement and carries with it so many positive attributes that I will benefit from too!
Yoga is so much more than just an exercise class. It is an ancient art based on a harmonizing system of development for the body, mind, and spirit and can be hugely beneficial for managing good mental health (as well as physical!). The continued practice of yoga can lead you to a sense of peace and well-being and also a feeling of being at one with your environment.
I have been lucky enough to connect with an amazing yoga teacher who actually specialises in yoga for sufferers of Bipolar and other mental health challenges - she has taught me so much already!
The practice of yoga makes the body strong and flexible. It also improves the functioning of the respiratory, circulatory, digestive, and hormonal systems. Yoga brings about mental and emotional stability and clarity of mind.
Regular yoga practice will also help you manage any mental health challenges because you will become more aware and conscious of your body. You will be better able to realise when your mood changes, when your body gives you signals in one direction or the other, into a positive or negative mood.
There are many activating and stimulating yoga poses which can help if you find yourself heading to a low or depressed mood and calming, relaxing poses that can help if you feel yourself growing manic or agitated. For example backward bends will open up your body and soul to heal low mood and forward bends will protect and calm you when feeling manic.
Think of this practice as being the means and tools to realign and rebalance your vehicle (mind & body) on a regular basis. You take control and you can then become your own body mechanic instead of having to pay someone else to do it (medical professional). Because your body is finely tuned you will find that your chances for injury, illness & mental instability will drop as you are in a much more attuned state. By maintaining your health in this way, the need for reactive behavior and long recovery periods are avoided.
If you keep up your yoga practice, you will realise the positive long term effects of yoga for Bipolar, depression & anxiety. Your emotions will stay more steady and balanced without the extreme mood swings and you will be able to live a more peaceful life free of worry about your next high or low.