Heather writes here about her own experience with depression and anxiety how yoga therapy can be used to successfully treat insomnia.
For many years I struggled with my emotional health. If I look back into the past, I think that I was suffering from depression as early as 10 years old. I tried many different ways to find peace. In my teenage years I thought I would be happier if I looked a certain way or was liked by particular people, so most of my strategies focused on being cooler or dressing better. Finally, in my 20's, I found my self - well dressed and still deeply sad, incredibly anxious, and totally unfulfilled, but I was starting to see a path out. I had studied Hindu and Buddhist philosophy in India as part of a study abroad program and was starting to realize that happiness came from within. When this really hit me, I had decided to do more than study Eastern philosophy, but to practise its principles. At the age of 23, due to a series of unexpected circumstances I ended up moving to South East Asia and living and practising meditation in South East Asia. To date, I still believe this was the most important time in my life. It helped me to understand myself and shift my way of reacting to and seeing the world. The process, however, was often torturous. Sitting with my depressed, anxious mind was painful and deeply challenging. As I often did it 16 hours a day there was little relief and I still wonder how I managed it!
When I returned to non-monastic life, I wanted to share my insights with others, but they were based upon an austere life; one not attractive or practical for most people. It was during this time that I really understood how magical the complete practice of yoga could be. Already a yoga teacher I began to see how asana and pranayama could help shift the nervous system to soften the blow of painful thoughts and feelings, I could support others in experiencing well-being without them needing to completely alter their life. Being relaxed supported change! Through yoga practice I watched many students access insights, with little emotional pain and much bliss and eventually decided to become a yoga therapist, focusing solely on yoga for emotional healing. This is why I founded The Minded Institute.
Years later I continue to be amazed at what yoga can offer. Not only can it help to turn around depression and bring calm to the anxious mind, but it can help with all kinds of physiological problems that are linked to stress such as hypertension. It can also help us to improve our quality and quantity of sleep.
When I struggled with my emotional health I was really fortunate not to have insomnia, still I have had occasions where I could not sleep. The following days were horrific and life seemed all the worse. I cannot imagine having to contend with all my other feelings and to be sleep deprived!
Recently, a dear friend of my admitted suffering with insomnia for nearly 20 years and painted a picture of how it stole so much of his life. We did a therapeutic session and he reporting sleeping better than he had in years! It is this experience coupled with the wonderful work of Lisa Sanfilippo that inspired us to offer training in insomnia and sleep management for teachers. When I looked into it I also found that sleep complaints are one of the chief problems world-wide, negatively influencing quality of sleep. I am pleased to announce our October training. Please join us to learn how you can sleep better and provide this richness to others around you.
