Yoga for SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder)

November and December are months where we all notice the rapidly decreasing hours of daylight. Often the days are overcast with rain or (gasp) snow! For many of us, the lower light levels make us feel out of sorts or "blue". If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms you may be suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD:

- depression
- oversleeping
- loss of energy
- loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed
- craving for "comfort foods" high in carbs
- social withdrawal
- anxiety

As an AVI (American Viniyoga Institute www.viniyoga.com ) Certified Yoga Therapist, I teach a course at the North Lanark Community Health Centre in Lanark County, Ontario, Canada using themes to address the different signs and symptoms listed above. My goal is to to help yoga students suffering from SAD find yoga tools to better cope with this condition. In 2008 I presented my findings at the International Asssociation of Yoga Therapists (www.IAYT.org) at their conference in Los Angeles, California.

Over the next few blogs I will share some reflections and a few tips to help SAD sufferers everywhere.