Mental
Physical
Breath
We may think our way into a poor posture.
Take a look at the way someone holds their body when depressed. Usually they'll have slumped shoulders, and a neck hanging forward. Probably a miserable countenance too.
How will this person ever stand up straight?
It depends. If he/she has held this position for a long time, it will probably be a difficult and long process. The musculature at the front of the body will have shortened, and at the back it will have lengthened.
As this person begins to straighten up, a certain level of anxiety will be felt as the chest is lifted and opened.
This is a rather brief description of a mental/postural attitude of a depressive, and what they are likely to feel over a period of transformation.
In a sense, the world has literally got this person 'down'. So, in another sense, they will need to 'face the facts' of their circumstances squarely, they will have to 'stand up' and 'see' the world exactly as it is.
Conditioning in early childhood may have shaped this persons attitude, perhaps that life is unfair, and they are not 'good enough' to deal with it.
So not only a mental, but a physical change may be required.
Asana's then, are an integral part to a holistic recovery. Another more expensive route, may be through extensive bodywork sessions. In fact there now exists a modality called body psychotherapy.
But how do we keep going when our mental conditioning has also become a physical problem, when out total conditioning is towards giving up and going under?
This is where we need a good teacher, an inspiring teacher.
First; we realise we are 'not' our thoughts, we Meditate and Relax.
Second; we see that thinking is the cause of our attitude towards life - We Breathe and concentrate.
Third; We relax the body as often and as much as we can. We become more aware of ourselves, more fully aware of ourselves more often. We do Asana and Relaxation.
Before all of this comes the profound realisation, and I reiterate, that "WE" are not "OUR" thoughts.
Physical
Breath
We may think our way into a poor posture.
Take a look at the way someone holds their body when depressed. Usually they'll have slumped shoulders, and a neck hanging forward. Probably a miserable countenance too.
How will this person ever stand up straight?
It depends. If he/she has held this position for a long time, it will probably be a difficult and long process. The musculature at the front of the body will have shortened, and at the back it will have lengthened.
As this person begins to straighten up, a certain level of anxiety will be felt as the chest is lifted and opened.
This is a rather brief description of a mental/postural attitude of a depressive, and what they are likely to feel over a period of transformation.
In a sense, the world has literally got this person 'down'. So, in another sense, they will need to 'face the facts' of their circumstances squarely, they will have to 'stand up' and 'see' the world exactly as it is.
Conditioning in early childhood may have shaped this persons attitude, perhaps that life is unfair, and they are not 'good enough' to deal with it.
So not only a mental, but a physical change may be required.
Asana's then, are an integral part to a holistic recovery. Another more expensive route, may be through extensive bodywork sessions. In fact there now exists a modality called body psychotherapy.
But how do we keep going when our mental conditioning has also become a physical problem, when out total conditioning is towards giving up and going under?
This is where we need a good teacher, an inspiring teacher.
First; we realise we are 'not' our thoughts, we Meditate and Relax.
Second; we see that thinking is the cause of our attitude towards life - We Breathe and concentrate.
Third; We relax the body as often and as much as we can. We become more aware of ourselves, more fully aware of ourselves more often. We do Asana and Relaxation.
Before all of this comes the profound realisation, and I reiterate, that "WE" are not "OUR" thoughts.
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