" alt="Featured 468x60 Ad" />
Can Yoga Alleviate Postpartum Depression?
February 10, 2009 by Ray Baskerville · 1 Comment
(NaturalNews) Recently a study (conducted at the University of California, Irvine) suggesting that postpartum depression is the result of hormonal imbalances has made news. Postpartum depression is a common condition affecting women in the days after childbirth. It has also been suggested that Yoga potentially holds the key to alleviating this condition. Here is why.
Stress induced hormone release is considered normal when the brain discharges minute amounts of Corticotropin-releasing hormone, or CRH, to help the body cope with the stress. During pregnancy, however, the brain could potentially release copious quantities of CRH to help the mother during labor and thereafter drastically reduce the production of this hormone by contrast. This sudden rise and fall of hormonal levels can cause the endocrine system to behave abnormally and create havoc for the mother, during the postnatal phase.
It is also a fact that the levels of this hormone can be detected at around 25 weeks of pregnancy, exposing the mother’s propensity towards postpartum depression. Naturally, therefore, if levels are high it can be concluded that the risk of postpartum depression is also proportionately high.
CRH is known to trigger a surge of activity in the pituitary and adrenal glands, resulting in an unusually high output of the stress hormone, cortisol. Abnormal levels of stress hormones produced by an endocrine system out of balance can lead to conditions such as depression. According to studies, the brains of suicide victims, upon examination, revealed elevated levels of stress hormones.
The rate of postpartum depression can be as high as 1 in every 5 women within four to 6 weeks after childbirth and 7 percent of new mothers as well suffer severe depression.
Scientists say that women who are prone to depression have had previous bouts of depression, or those with a poor self-image, weak social and emotional ties, combined with a stressful pregnancy are the ones most likely to go through postpartum depression.
Read the complete article here
You can also beat depression through correct nutrition
More great articles on health benefits of yoga from around the web
Divine Magic: Gentle Yoga – This includes the digestion system, glands, muscles and cardiovascular health. Asana promotes mental health as well, cultivating a quiet and peaceful mind while increasing alertness and concentration. … The breathing exercises help clear your body of toxins, while relieving stress, depression, and other mental or physical problems. A regular 30-minute practice session of gentle yoga each day will benefit your body, mind and spirit in many ways. …
Yoga And Weight Loss | Wish Everyone Good Health. – >Elevates mood and reduces depression. >Helps maintain healthy bones, muscles, joints, and nervous system. >Delays affects of ageing, making seniors more mobile and self sufficient and less likely to fall prey to injury or illness. … With more progress in your yoga practice, you will begin to experience new feelings of health, strength, and well-being. These feelings will in turn motivate you to take even more control of your life so that you can continue your progress …
Yoga Shows Promising Benefits For Breast Cancer Patients « Moments … – Doctors have found that yoga brings emotional benefits to women with breast cancer. Those in a recent study had a 50% reduction in depression and a 12% increase in feelings of peace after taking a RY yoga course. …
US veterans prescribed ‘laughing yoga’ – MashGet – Dr Andy Weil has told a Senate committee hearing he believes his version of the therapy could effectively tackle depression and stop returning soldiers becoming another grim statistic. … http://www.laughteryoga.org This is a short piece by Dr Sanjay Gupta of CNN Health about Laughter Yoga and Dr Madan Kataria. Laughter Yoga in Cape Town. http://www.laughteryoga.org 10 minute feature for Free Spirit shows laughter yoga and laughter meditation with voice over of interview …
Yoga in Practice: Ten Solutions for Depressed Yoga Students, Part … – 2009 Wish Everyone Good Health., WordPress Themes by DBT. Special thank to Free Live Video Chat · London Escorts. Yoga teachers often struggle with methods for helping their students deal with a variety of ailments. Depression is …
That’s How It Really Works !!: 10 Hand Mudras for Better Health … – Regular practice ensures the cure of psychological disorders such as hysteria, anger, depression and other mental problems. Hand mudra positions yoga Indian medicine health fitness wellbeing strength weakness strong body pranayama …
Compassion: The Missing Link – Wellness, Disease Prevention, And … – It seems like this self-absorption is lending itself to a more narcissistic culture and this breeds disconnection which is not good for our mental health. When we give a donation, are we giving it so we feel good about ourselves or are we giving it to truly … Check out Dr. Goldstein’s acclaimed CD’s on stress prevention, depression, and addiction – "They are so relevant, I have marked them as one of my favorites on a handout I give to all new clients" ~ Psychiatrist …
The Health Benefits of Yoga – MeDiCaLGeeK – Nearly every yoga student will tell you they feel happier and more contented after class. Recently, researchers have begun exploring the effects of yoga on depression, a benefit that may result from yoga’s boosting oxygen levels to the …
“Living Liberation - Meditation Training, and so much more" "It changed my life"Find out moreIf you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting! Scroll Down to leave a Comment
Pre Natal Yoga – 4 Benefits
January 31, 2009 by Ray Baskerville · Leave a Comment
It occurred to me while in yoga class yesterday, that I have yet to write anything focused on pre-natal yoga or simply doing yoga while pregnant. Throughout the class, I found myself taking mental notes about how one thing or another was happening quite differently than it used to when I was a little… smaller. And also, how many parts of the practice had improved or not changed at all. For example, a lot of the twists just simply aren’t happening – it’s a matter of physics. But, my hips are so much more open than they’ve ever been; sometimes I feel like a human Gumby – no bones, all rubbery bendiness.
Overall, yoga has been a lifesaver throughout this journey, and while I have no real point of comparison as a first-timer, I believe it would’ve been a much different experience – physically and mentally – had I not spent so much time on the mat. This coming from someone who has not escaped debilitating morning sickness, wild mood swings, bouts of coma-like exhaustion or all kinds of new aches and pains. It has hardly been a picture perfect 9 months, but yoga definitely improved the experience in a few specific ways that I find invaluable and have to think may be pretty important to other mamas-to-be as well.
So, what are the benefits of yoga during pregnancy?
Increased flexibility and strength and probably less weight gain
It’s a hot topic for any pregnant person, or even the non-pregnant bystanders: weight gain. For me, it was more about the unknown. What would my body DO pregnant, what would it look like? It’s always been important for me to be in somewhat decent shape. I’m just not happy when I don’t feel good in my body, and my body feels much better when it moves. So, I wanted to stay active, but the issue was that I had far less energy, especially in the beginning, and my most favorite thing – running – felt like absolute torture. But I could do yoga. Some weeks I would practice five to six days, some only one or two, but I kept returning. I am definitely more flexible and have kept a lot of my strength up, but most importantly I feel good (most of the time). Many of the women I’ve met who practiced throughout their pregnancies swear that it helped them stay in shape, but that most importantly for them, it facilitated a quick return to their pre-pregnancy bodies, which sounds pretty good.
Better, deeper breathing and mood regulation
When I first started doing yoga, I remember really struggling through a class, and in the midst of holding a particularly difficult pose, the instructor reminded us to breathe, “because if you’re not breathing, you’re not really doing yoga.” Read the rest of the article here…
“Living Liberation - Meditation Training, and so much more" "It changed my life"Find out more
10 Tips To Help You And Your Body Recover From Pregnancy
December 20, 2008 by Ray Baskerville · 1 Comment
Yoga in pre and post pregnancy is of enormous benefit to the mother, as my wife will testify. A new writer will be joining us in the new year who specializes in this area. So to set that ball in motion I want to share with you a post I just found 10 Tips to help you and your body recover from Pregnancy and the Holidays
Women still do not get the respect and admiration they deserve as mothers in our culture. Being with my wife as she gave birth to our son is something I will never forget, and will always admire her for. I am very happy that Jade will be sharing her experience and expertise here at lifedivine, which includes but is not limited to yoga.
