Getting out of the house

This blog,and the ones that follow will explore how to address the signs and symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) from a yoga perspective.

I'm going to begin with the symptom of "social withdrawal". It's quite natural to want to withdraw or "hibernate" during the cold winter months here in Canada. However, when this natural inclination causes us to feel lonely or depressed it's helpful to take some initiative to get out and socialize. Many of my students who suffer from SAD say the enjoy coming to a yoga class because it provides them structure and motivation to get out of the house. This is the power of what is called "sangha" which is roughly translated as community. Community, in this instance, is found in a yoga class where you feel comfortable with the teacher and the other students in the class. Sometimes it takes a few tries to find a class you enjoy. Once you find a class you like, stick with it. Many of the benefits of yoga gradually accrue over time. You'll find it's well worth the effort.

See you in class!