Bipolar Disorder Support Group

yoga is supposed to help "center" and calm you

I am going to start taking it in a couple of weeks. I heard that it is good for depression and bipolar. Just the relaxation of it.

Hi, Good question. Yoga is great for everything/everyone. I myself do not have bp (my dh does) but I have struggled for 10+ years with severe depression, and honestly, the one thing that was the best for me and had only good *side effects* is yoga. I actually tried it for the first time because I got a free DVD from McDonalds a few years ago. That DVD was informative and a good gateway for first timers. Now I do yoga everyday in my own home from a dvd, or a mp3 class from yogadownloads.com . I would suggest that if you want to try it or are even curious about it, to either go to a beginners class at a YMCA or other relaxed atmosphere place, or try watching a DVD in the comfort of your living room and just checking it out. I really do reccomend watching a class/dvd first, then trying it. At first it feels sort of strange, the poses are different than most in other types of classes, but once you start practicing and feeling the benifits, I would bet that you will just want to learn more. Actually its sort of addicting for alot of people, but in the most positive way! LOL!

For me, it is a time for relaxation, regrouping my thoughts, calming my racing mind, and a good way to get some fitness too. After I got into it and started practicing every night before I went to bed, I was having about half of the normal daily headaches, my muscles were much more flexible, and I became quite a bit stronger.

A couple of my favorite DVD's are Yoga for Dummies with Sarah Ivanhoe( she is a great yogi or teacher because she helps everyone to understand that yoga is not about who can be the most flexible, but to take it at your pace). I also like Crunch Fitness' DVD called the Perfect Yoga Workout. This DVD has 2 workouts (again taught by Sarah Ivanhoe) and its a good pace to get started with.

I probably sound too excited and like I am profiting from the DVD sales or something. I am of course not, I just like to help other people find something that has really helped me.

My husband that has BP has not gotten into yoga except for the breathing and meditating part of it because he had to have spine fusion surgery last spring. But I am getting him into it too.

Good Luck, and feel free to ask me more about it if you want.

TG

Isn't yoga, the lil green guy from Star Wars?

You're a sick puppy Quacked

I'm not scared. "you will be, yes, you will be"

no, there is another!

It can be really calming when you're all worked up.

I started practicing yoga on my own a few months ago. I just got some books and internet info and started my own routine. I add to it and change it as necessary and now my routine works the whole body. I've never taken a class, and when I tried the DVD's they were too hard. I practice yoga more for relaxation and flexibility. I do believe it helps me with BP and depression. When I stop, things go downhill.

Pilates is better and much easier than Yoga :-)

i agree with daggy. i do pilates. its better than yoga, and its actually helping me shed some of the pundage that the meds have put on me. ive already lost 7 pounds with a combo of topamax and pilates!