Yoga for Depression : A Compassionate Guide to Relieve Suffering Through Yoga

Rating:
Summary: Yoga for Depression
Review: As a psychotherapist who also practices yoga, I was immediately drawn to this book in my continuing search for ways to integrate yoga into therapy. Although I enjoyed reading the book, I'm not too sure that I came away with anything practical that I would add to my professional work other than to say that it appears that yoga can help some people recover from depression and bipolar disorder some of the time.

The author begins by telling the story of her own depression and treatment with medication which was ineffective until she began taking classes at a Kripalu Center in 1989. The yoga helped resolve her problems and she subsequently became a teacher in Tucson, AZ. Later in the book, she writes about how she used meditation and yoga to deal with her own breast cancer crisis which required some courageous self-disclosure on her part. I admire the fact that she "walks it like she talks it."

It's important to note that this book focuses more on yoga philosophy and is not a practice book. At the end of each chapter, the author demonstrates several experiential exercises, but these are mostly kriyas and pranayamas. There is not attempt to outline a particular sequence of postures that one should practice. She lists other resources that the student can access and highly recommends an experienced teacher.

I was disappointed of her summary of scientific evidence relating to yoga and depression, most of which appeared to be derived from second hand sources rather than the primary journal articles themselves. I am quite interested in this topic, and I will try to track down some of her sources later on. Much of the research has appeared in Indian journals and might not be accessible to a Western reader. However, as "scholar-in-residence" at the Kripalu Center during the writing of the book, she might have been able to get some help with this. Mostly she told anecdotal stories which, while they might be interesting and demonstrative, are not compelling in the scientific sense.

Most interesting to me was her differentiating styles or schools of yoga according to three categories. She cites the "basic instruction" found in Chapter Two of Patangali's Yoga Sutras as "Union in Action," which, to my way of thinking, is a state of mindfulness or being in the flow. This Union in Action rests on a tripod of willful practice (tapas), self-observation (svadhyaya) and surrender (Ishvrara-parnidhana). One might question her translation of these terms. She notes that different systems of yoga present different "doorways" through which one can enter, each of which takes one to the same destination, "total union."

As an example of the tapas doorway, she gives Iyengar Yoga with it's emphasis on correct alignment and "purity of practice" which bridge the gap between the physical and mental spheres and bring relief from "soothing and calming the emotions through physical practice." Sounds good, but again the support is anecdotal.

As an example of the svadhyaya doorway, she cites Viniyoga with it's emphasis on studying one's self to discover imbalances and then using yoga techniques to bring oneself back into balance. For example, someone with anxiety based depression (rajasic) would practice langhana techniques to calm and purify while a person suffering from Dysthymia (tamasic) would practice brahmana techniques to nourish, build and energize. This approach has an inherent logic that appeals to my way of thinking. Also, my present teacher is from a tradition similar to this where balance is the primary object of practice.

As an example of Ishvara-pranidhana, she uses her own practice of Kripalu and it's emphasis on spontaneous movements and surrender to the flow of energy in the body through long holding of postures. I plan to take some classes from a teacher in this tradition soon, so I will find out more about this approach in the near future. The idea of surrender and acceptance resonate nicely with my more Buddhist way of approaching the world.

The author devotes an entire chapter to the Art of Living program and the practice of Sudharshan Kriya, a breathing technique. She cites research results from this group proving it's effectiveness against depression, but, again, she does not include enough information to allow the reader to evaluate these claims. She says, "Time after time, controlled studies . . . " have shown a 73% recovery rate in hospitalized depressed patients." However, she provides no reference to where the reader might find the articles describing how these results were derived nor does she include details about how the research was conducted. She does not give instructions on Sudharshan Kriya as it seems to be owned by the Art of Living group.

Overall, I would recommend this book for it's explication of the way various yoga methods can be applied to depression, trauma and anxiety. I also liked the attempt to categorize the various schools of yoga, and I learned more about each of them. As far as any practical application, I wish the author had proposed a more structured approach to different syndromes and explicated what to do about them. I am still awaiting the book, outside of any particular school, that says, "If you have this symptom, do this. If you have that symptom, do that." Even better would be a complete workout designed to address anxiety and depression in the context of a full routine. Perhaps as the Westernization of yoga continues, such a manual will emerge.

Rating:
Summary: A valuable contribution to the field
Review: As an integrative, spiritually oriented psychiatrist who is committed to building bridges between traditional psychiatric medicine and spiritual practices which can augment healing, I applaud Amy Weintraub's contribution to the field. Her clarity, compassion, engaging style and creativity are evident throughout the book. Although I am not actively involved in the practice of Yoga, I have surely recommended the practice to patients who found it in some way resonnant for them in their healing. Perhaps Amy's book will open the door for sufferers who could benefit from this approach and technique.

Rating:
Summary: Yoga for Depression: Saved my Life
Review: Dr. Christiane Northrup has called YOGA FOR DEPRESSION a "godsend" for good reason. Amy Weintraub's new book has given me insight in how to BE with myself in yoga class, so that I am doing the postures and breathing in new and more beneficial ways. "Going inside" now has a deeper meaning for me. I have been able to reach those parts of my psyche that have long been repressed. By getting to those areas, I have had openings in my life which I didn't even realize were possible. Reading this book has led me to a fuller, richer practice, and a fuller richer life. I threw away the anti-depressant medications & blended my new yoga practice with psychotherapy, I have regained my power & have taken charge of my emotions. I have ended a long term relationship, which I have tried for years & cleared the emotional & physical clutter in my life.

YOGA FOR DEPRESSION defines the different types of yoga practices with clear understanding about what practices are most likely to work for an individual. The book is both educational & inspiring and is appropriate for both mental health professionals and those experiencing depression. I would highly recommend this book to yoga practitioners, yoga teachers, mental health professionals and those who are holistically conscious.
,

Rating:
Summary: Essential For Anyone Struggling With Depression
Review: Dr. Christiane Northrup has called YOGA FOR DEPRESSION a "godsend" for good reason. Amy Weintraub's new book has given me insight in how to BE with myself in yoga class, so that I am doing the postures and breathing in new and more beneficial ways. "Going inside" now has a deeper meaning for me. I have been able to reach those parts of my psyche that have long been repressed. By getting to those areas, I have had openings in my life which I didn't even realize were possible. Reading this book has led me to a fuller, richer practice, and a fuller richer life. I threw away the anti-depressant medications & blended my new yoga practice with psychotherapy, I have regained my power & have taken charge of my emotions. I have ended a long term relationship, which I have tried for years & cleared the emotional & physical clutter in my life.

YOGA FOR DEPRESSION defines the different types of yoga practices with clear understanding about what practices are most likely to work for an individual. The book is both educational & inspiring and is appropriate for both mental health professionals and those experiencing depression. I would highly recommend this book to yoga practitioners, yoga teachers, mental health professionals and those who are holistically conscious.
,

Rating:
Summary: Surprised By The Story Telling, It's Sensitivity & Balance
Review: I am not a doctor, nor a therapist and I am certainly not a Yoga expert. I read the book because a friend suggest it because I sometimes suffer from depression and I have never found my therapy and my med-therapy completely fulfilling. I was capartured by the authors words within the 1st few pages and it never let me go. It felt like a good mystery that you never want to put down because it continually reveals new twists and turns that are both baffling and intriguing.

I am hooked on what the author has said and have begun some beginner programs that are already feeling like they balance my talk therapy with a wholistic body therapy through yoga. Anyone who is a skeptic about yoga will get the most out of this book.

Her views on the need for the body to recover as much as the mind from depression struck me as simple yet astounding because we always think that talking & meds are a balance to depression or a vehicle out of depression; while missing the point of how we are centered through our bodies. All of this plus being backed up by research hit home in a significant way.

Rating:
Summary: The Book Offers A Unique Way To Fight Depression But Is NOT
Review: This book is not a complete guide to fight depression. So anyone looking for something like that should consider something that is more complete than this. But this book offers a unique way to help fight depression. This book made me think about some physical ways that I could use to help myself feel better.

The author wants you to give her techniques a chance. And I find that some of the things in the book do help. But there are some sections in the book that are pretty long but do not say much. You need to move through those sections fast and get to the techniques.

I also have to say that the book is not complete. The author gives some techniques and positions but then tells you to take classes in yoga. Well, what if there are no classes in your area? The author should have given many more positions and less unnecessary talk.

So this book needs to be looked at as an introductory book to yoga and how you can use yoga to help fight depression. You probably want to look for books that are more complete in describing the practice of yoga than this, but you can use this as a way to help fight depression with doing yoga.

The author talks about ways that yoga has helped others so that can be helpful to read for others.

This book is not a complete guide to yoga. It is like an introduction with explanations about how yoga can be used to fight depression and it talks about people who used yoga to help fight depression.


Rating:
Summary: Essential For Anyone Struggling With Depression
Review: This book is one of the best I've read for people who want to take control of their mental and physical health. Amy Weintraub speaks from the heart on every page. Her compassion and enthusiasm for yoga and pranayama shine through, giving this book a personal feel other self-help books may not. Uncomplicated, it offers simple, prescriptive exercises that, when practiced regulary, will make a difference in the way you see and confront your daily life. I would recommend it to anyone suffering from anxiety and/or depression.
My only criticism? The publisher's didn't put Amy on the cover!! Her natural beauty and enthusiasm would have far better reflected the contents of the book.

Rating:
Summary: Invaluable Resource for Anyone
Review: Yoga and Depression is supportive, insightful, and user-friendly. Amy Weintraub discusses a difficult topic from her heart in a nonthreatening manner. She connects genuinely with the reader. She transmits soundly the message of self-acceptance and empowerment to every person who experiences depression and for every therapist who works with them. This is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to know more about depression and to acquire a shift in perspective about the treatment of this human condition.