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Yoga to Cure these Rainy Day Blues by Michelle Young

Atlanta has been miserable lately.  Can anyone tell me the last time the sun reared its head?  Everyone is sick and tired…and sick and tired of being sick and tired.  The leaves have become this awful brown mush that cover the roads.  I don’t think I have smiled in 2 weeks.  Does anyone remember when it was enjoyable to get out of bed, have coffee, and head out into the world filled with joy and excitement for the day’s events?  I don’t think I know what that feels like anymore.  Everyone forgot how to drive.  We have become a city of a-holes.  We are all so SAD… 

Will it ever end?

Will it ever end?

Seasonal Affective Disorder is a real thing y’all.  The winter blues caused by the changing of the season, darker days, and currently never-ending rain can cause lethargy, depression, irritability, anxiety….the list goes on and on.  Let me drop some science on you.  This disorder is a real medical thing.  It is caused by the body’s increased production of melatonin, which helps us feel sleepy, or its decreased production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that’s thought to contribute to feelings of well-being.  SAD is legit.  Don’t believe me?  Look left then look right.  Everyone around you hates you right now.  It is nothing you did…we just can’t take this weather any more.

Don’t worry, this post is not simply stating the depressing obvious.  I am going to cure you.  All I ask of you is to muster up that last tiny bit of energy you have and take your sad butt to your mat.  Here we go…

Easy Pose: Sit down.  Close your eyes.  Just breathe.  Sit up tall.  Take in all that oxygen…best antidepressant on the market.

Headstand: Our seventh chakra needs a little love these days, and a good rush of blood to the head always feels good.  Headstand forces our attention and allows us a chance to pause and renew our perspective on life for a moment.  Allow the pose to heat the body internally and let all that depression release from the crown of the head.

Lime Tree Yoga-photos-0019_20131206_214208-1 (1)Downward facing Dog: A fine alternative to getting in a headstand.  Down dog offers all the benefits of the headstand while also opening up the backs of the legs and sides of the body.  Try alternating between child’s pose and down dog, holding for 5 breaths each.

Supported Bridge w/ Block: Lie on your back and position a block wide across your sacrum. wrap your shoulders deeply underneath you allowing the heart to open.  Relax and watch your icy heart melt, and instead be filled with hope and light.

Seated Forward Fold: This pose offers a profound calming effect.  Stay here for a while and drink in the happiness.

Sun Salutations: If you have noticed that your depression is more anxiety riddled, then offer your body a few rounds of Surya Namaskar.  This moving meditation will calm the spirit and allow for a more mindful rest.

Corpse Pose: Whether you practice 5 minutes or an hour, pleeeeaaase take time to find savasana.  Your brain is begging you for meditation.

A wise person had to remind me that it’s always darkest before the dawn…this won’t last forever.  Get on your mat and get out of your funk!

 

Michelle YoungMichelle Young, E-RYT and PRYT is a yoga teacher, business owner, mother, and lover of life. She is also part of the My Yoga Scene family, co-editing and blogging about her love of yoga and the journey of motherhood. She has been teaching in the Atlanta area since 2008 in the disciplines of Hot, Vinyasa, Hatha, and Prenatal yoga. Michelle owns and teaches at Lime Tree Yoga in the Old Fourth Ward, and is the private instructor for the Atlanta Hawks. She combines her love of yoga and travel by leading yoga retreats around the globe. You can reach Michelle at michelle@limetreeyoga.com or at michelleyoung@myyogascene.com

 

One Response to “Yoga to Cure these Rainy Day Blues by Michelle Young”

  1. James says:

    These are great! I did these at home yesterday while I was trapped inside due to the winter snow storm we got hit with here in Atlanta. Namaste!

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