What is depression?

Spirituality
#21

If you think of depression as a broken body part, you may understand the healing process involved. There are different degrees of depression - from feeling blue to total debilitation - much like broken toe to crushed femur. In both cases, it needs to be tended and takes time to heal.

In some cases it is like multiple fractures where you must be hospitalized. In any case, only professional help and time to heal will cure depression. There are many therapies you can take in the meantime to speed up healing - medications, yoga, meditation, etc., but left ignored it can fester and become a serious risk to you.

#22

Depression in yoga is usually considered to be a byproduct of the disposition known as tamasic. A tamasic state is one in which dullness, lethargy, and laziness are dominant. This usually is caused by an over active ida nadi which is one of the two central nadi channels within the body.

The solution, from this view point, is to practice dynamic yoga asanas that stimulate the body. Also purification practices that help to increase prana in the body, like pranayama, can help to stimulate the pingala nadi and regenerate energy within the mind and body.