Using Yoga to Battle Through the Seasons!
Seasons are changing. Today is the first day of fall! For a lot of us this is an exciting time of the year, time for hoodies, apple cider, and falling leaves. For others this can be the beginning of ‘the end’ to the nice weather for a few months. Seasonal Affective Disorder is on the widespread affecting between 1 to 10% of the population--more typically affecting women than men in a ratio of 4:1. Individuals with SAD can sometimes also have a difficulty with overproduction of melatonin, a hormone produced by the pineal gland that causes tiredness in response to darkness (ever get tired in a movie theater?) With the increase of darkness heading our way, for some folks this can mean increased exhaustion and lethargy. This increase in melatonin paired with a decrease in serotonin can affect our circadian rhythms, which are responsible for responding to light and dark changes. This shift in our circadian rhythm impairs our body to respond to seasonal changes. There are a lot of emotional things that go on in our body when we have this decrease in serotonin--after all this is the chemical that if found in low enough levels is attributed to depression. When the days get shorter and the sky is darker we may start to feel...sad? tired? lonely?
First, before I even get into my main topic for this blog, if you are feeling lonely and need a place to call home, Emerald Yoga Studio is that place. Before I became the owner, it was my ‘home’ where I felt safe to do the ‘work’ on myself that yoga allows us to do. Of course now I see it as my home even more since I practically live here. We are such a family here that when you aren’t here..it doesn’t go unnoticed. At Emerald Yoga Studio you aren’t membership #24. You are part of our family and we love to see you here. The teachers ask where you are when you aren’t here. We start to remember your schedules and classes you prefer.
One more side story: I had someone interested in just seeing the studio before she came to practice and as soon as she walked in and saw the studio she was taken aback by how much LOVE is felt in the room--even when it’s empty! There are some big hearts that fill our studio, we would love for you to be a part of it. If you are looking for a home, let Emerald be your home. Back to my topic, so the seasons shift and you start to feel..the feels, right? There are a few key things you can do to help, light therapy, routine, st. johns wort, psychotherapy, and here’s one big big one: Yoga.
Yup that’s right. Yoga can help with seasonal affective disorder. It really is the cure-all isn’t it?Yoga poses help release tension and stress from the body by increasing serotonin and decreasing monoamine oxidase levels (MAO). Studies on mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) — which include yoga — found that yoga lowers feeling of anxiety and depression. MSBR shifts the activation of the prefrontal cortex, from the right lobe to the left, and this change is associated with improved feelings of well-being. This change appears to be the greatest in experienced practitioners. While a general yoga practice will help you with both anxiety and depression, you can also pick specific poses that address each challenge. Of course, if you believe you’re suffering from SAD, it’s always wise to consult a doctor or mental health professional.
If you can make it to 3-5 classes a week during the darker seasons you can actually DECREASE your chances of seasonal affective disorder returning! You, of course, do need to keep up with your practice through the warm months as well--but what better excuse to come move around, increase your serotonin, have fun with us, and meet some groovy people! Of course yoga has many other benefits including but not limited to:
- Decreasing seasonal allergies (yeah really, I read an article!)
- Increasing circulation
- Flexibility
- Balance
- Improving focus and concentration
- Making you look and feel great
- Being able to show people this cool thing you learned at yoga
- Getting away from your kids and spouse-- and recharging your batteries!
And so, so, so, many more!
How can we help YOU commit to yoga this fall?
If you’ve been here before but just haven’t been consistent, what are you waiting for?
The beauty of yoga is that there is nothing to lose.
Well besides maybe your expectations, attitude, and judgement.
But who needs those anyways?