In addition to its repercussions on the mind that we know, depression is often accompanied by physical pain. The book “I relieve my depression thanks to yoga”, by Mélanie Veyrond, offers three complete sequences to soothe a crisis, develop positive feelings and fight against symptoms (excerpt 2/2).
Make yourself comfortable. You can be on the ground, in a meditation posture, or sit in a chair or even lie down, if you prefer.
Become aware of the air coming in and out of your nostrils. Install a state of relaxation and well-being in this space of meditation that you offer yourself. Let the tensions, the tensions, the feelings of fatigue, emptiness, sadness evacuate even more on each expiration.
Take a step back from your thoughts, and gently bring your awareness into the space of the heart.
[Silence de 30 secondes]
Now you are going to think back to a situation in your life where you were really happy, joyful, proud of yourself. For example, you think of a particular success, the first time you fell in love, a relationship or an event that gives you a lot of joy. Take your time to visualize the situation. You can then feel the energy in your body. You feel strong, joyful, happy. Take a deep breath and let a smile form on your face and spread to each of your cells.
[Silence de 30 secondes]
Then observe this energy of deep joy circulating in your body. The opening of the chest, the beating of the heart… Your whole body is bathed in this energy of joy, of light, a feeling of freedom, of lightness. Every cell in your body breathes and expresses the joy of living.
[Silence de 30 secondes]
Give yourself time to taste this feeling of life, of joy. You are safe and you radiate joy all around you. Be confident, you can feel the joy and life energy flowing through you. Take a deep breath and, on a long exhale, let go of the last tensions. On the next inhale, let joy settle in the space of the heart, like a precious golden seed that you are going to nurture.
[Silence de 30 secondes]
Bring your attention back to the entrance of the nostrils in order to restore vigor to your breath. You can bring your hands up to heart level, in prayer, and bow your head towards your hands in gratitude to your body, to all of its resources, all of that vital energy that is there. Then, at your own pace, you can leave this meditation, return to bodily sensations, and open your eyes when the time is right for you.
To learn more, read “I relieve my depression thanks to yoga”, by Mélanie Veyrond, coll. Yoga & Health – coed. Living Earth & Yoga Spirit. Available in bookstores, organic stores and on www.terrevivante.org.
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