Bikram Yoga and Mental Health

One of the first positive changes I noticed when I started practicing was a brighter mood. I felt less overwhelmed by the responsibilities in my life (though they certainly haven't lessened) and less anxious and depressed. I've had lots of good things in my life, but only islands of real happiness or contentment in a sea of worry. I came to realize, as I practiced, that I had been mildly depressed for most of my adult life. But that now I no longer felt the same way- I was. . . happy.


A psychologist at a recent conference told the audience that current research is showing that regular exercise can be as effective as medication for treating depression in some cases. This exercise has certainly proven to be an effective treatment for me.

Bikram instructors often say "yoga is the only exercise through which you actually gain energy rather than spend it." I've tried other types of exercise: running, hiking, other types of yoga. This yoga is the one that has given me more energy and improved my mood.

I think it has also lent me a certain flexibility of thought that I didn't have before. They call the series of postures and breathing exercises a "90 minute moving meditation." It is so intense that it requires a focus which blocks all other thoughts. I've tried to think about other things during class- what am I going to do about this problem? What's my next step in that situation?- but I can't hold on to them. They quickly slip away as I struggle to control my breath and move into the next posture.  Throughout the classes, the teachers fill our ears with motivation as they push us to try harder. They say things like "struggling is good, this is supposed to hurt, you're stronger than you think you are, struggle harder, don't give up, thank yourself for coming, you're doing something so good for yourself, the more you put into this class the more you'll get out of it."

I think that in this meditative state, the mind is much more open to accepting these affirmations. I don't know, but I wonder what is going on in the brain at this time. It seems that the brain is primed in this state to change chemically or neurologically. This greater mental flexibility carries into the rest of my life- I'm not as easily rattled by change. I'm not as easily irritated or frustrated by situations I can't control.

I find myself recalling these affirmations at different times during my days- particularly "don't give up and struggle harder."