Namita Nayyar:
According to you how can a beginner incorporate in one’s life? How much time should they dedicate to body-mind fitness?
Lina Lindahl:
As a beginner or just someone interested or curious about yoga, I would recommend not taking it too seriously. Try an online class, look for free classes in the city, maybe what’s offered at a gym, or if your company offers some classes (yay – good for you). Just try it!
Many times I still think people have a certain view of what yoga is: either something hippie or spiritual or something that’s just for very fit skinny and flexible people. Yoga could and can be anything, make it your own and find something that speaks to you. If you start practicing and find something you like you’re probably going to be inclined to do it more often than something that feels like yet another thing on your to-do list. There are probably as many yoga styles, classes, and teachers as there are stars in the sky. Just because you don’t like one class or teacher that doesn’t mean yoga isn’t for you!
Do some research and ask friends who are already practicing!
Namita Nayyar:
Yoga asanas you would recommend for women experiencing depression and loneliness?
Lina Lindahl:
I think yoga is great too both for finding a community and helping cope with mental illness. I think a misunderstanding is that people who experience depression need to do yoga that is very calm and just need to sit and focus on pranayama. My personal view is that many times that can be more triggering for someone that already lives a lot in their heads.
To get into the body by doing physical practice, tiering out the body can actually still the mind, and help you sleep better (which is number 1 to help with your mental health).
Second I think that if you start feeling and understanding your body you start feeling proud of it, You might be able to do posture that you didn’t believe you could and by doing so you’ll strengthen your self-esteem.
See the spiral of the body-mind connection that I mentioned before!? To note is that if you’re experiencing burn which should be differentiated from depression it’s a good idea to focus on yoga that calms the nervous system- restorative yoga, Yin yoga, or yoga Nidra.
Disclaimer
The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
