Kundalini yoga is both a spiritual and physical practice that includes bodily movements, deep-breathing techniques, meditation and chanting. Those who practice this form of yoga typically seek to improve their physical, mental and spiritual health. If you suffer from depression, MayoClinic.com advises that this meditation can heighten your sense of well-being and may be able to lessen your depression. However, do not use kundalini or any other form of yoga or meditation as a substitute for more conventional treatments, and ask your doctor before you begin a yoga practice.
Step 1
Talk to your doctor, who will help you determine if you are healthy enough to practice yoga. Inform her of any medical conditions you have or treatments that you are on. Discuss how doing kundalini yoga may benefit your depression, and ask her about the realistic expectations you should have for how this practice may help your condition.
Step 2
Decide whether you want to practice kundalini yoga on your own or at a yoga studio. If you want to do it at home, consider purchasing a book or DVD that can guide you through the finer points of the practice. However, if you are new to yoga, seek instruction from a licensed yoga teacher. Attempting poses and deep-breathing techniques on your own when you are unfamiliar with them may result in injury, and you may not get as many of the benefits as you could with proper instruction.
Step 3
Check out nearby studios if you decide you would like to learn kundalini yoga in a structured classroom environment. Ask about the location's credentials and licensing, and request to speak to the teachers. Try out a class, and if you find that it is not the right fit for you, do not worry. Though kundalini is a specific form of yoga, teaching styles will vary, and it may take some time to find a class that is the right fit for you.
Step 4
Establish a regular practice. Decide how often you would like to do kundalini yoga, and then stick to your routine. The more frequently you work to meditate, quiet your mind and focus on positive thoughts, the more likely it is that you will begin to feel the benefits of your practice.
Step 5
Do not stop going to counseling or taking any medication without first consulting with a doctor. After you have practiced kundalini yoga for some time, you may feel you no longer need these more conventional methods. However, stopping them abruptly can have serious repercussions. Discuss any changes to your therapy with your doctor before you make them.
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