Like many Viniyoga teachers, I’m not a huge fan of yoga videos, as the video format doesn’t allow for the customization and adaptation to the individual that is such a hallmark of this rich lineage. Still, as much as I’d like everyone to experience yoga first hand at a yoga studio, I know that for many students, videos provide a much more convenient and accessible connection to a consistent yoga practice. Who knows…maybe someday I’ll even create a video of my own! ;-)
Until then, two Viniyoga videos have been created by my teacher, Gary Kraftsow, on topics that are personally important to me: Yoga for Anxiety and Yoga for Depression. I’ve suffered from both conditions off and on throughout my life, and yoga has been an incredibly powerful tool in helping me manage my symptoms. I may have come to yoga to overcome back pain, but by far the first and most important thing to heal was my heart.
Gary’s videos introduce the Viniyoga therapy approach to anxiety and depression. They are a bit different than typical videos, in that he provides cognitive learning in addition to yoga practice. Each video contains approximately an hour of lecture on yoga therapy and its applications for anxiety and depression, along with two practices: one that is thirty minutes long and one that is closer to an hour. Even more unusual, the practices aren’t just asana, or movement. They contain multiple facets of the rich and dynamic Viniyoga lineage: asana (movement), pranayama (breath work), meditation, and chanting.
These videos can be purchased at amazon.com and via other online sellers. Let me know what you think!
Namaste
Tracy Weber
Come visit Whole Life Yoga in Seattle, and check out Tracy Weber's author page for information about the Downward Dog Mysteries series. MURDER STRIKES A POSE is available now from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Whole Life Yoga, and other retailers!
4 comments:
I see a lot of ads for adding medications to existing medications if they're not lessening depression, Tracy. I like your approach much better!
Linda, yoga has proven to be very good for these conditions. Even students who take medication can benefit!
I've heard the drugs don't help anymore than placebos. I'm all for using non drug aids.
Yoga and medication aren't mutually exclusive. I do believe medication helps in some cases, particularly bipolar disorder. But yoga can be an incredibly useful adjunct to other forms of treatment.
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