I think I am posting this mostly to vent, but any advice on any related subject (reading matter, physical cleansing or diet, related sites) would also be deeply appreciated.
I am a former yoga teacher working to return to a consistant practice after three years of debilitating depression. Although I have a supportive environment in which to practice, I find myself absolutely terrified of my return. I found such light and joy in my practice before--almost for the first time in my life, I felt a lasting freedom from the despair that has plagued me since childhood. Yet with the onset of a breakdown several years ago, I lost my will to do virtually everything. As my recovery from depression has progressed, I have returned many time to my practice, but I continually abandon my efforts--sometimes after a class or two, sometimes after six weeks or a few months. Instinctually, I return to yoga again, yet I am absolutely petrified. In addition to my loss of physical facility with the postures, I have gained a drastic amount of weight (seventy pounds). Astanga and vinyasa yoga were the practices that most motivated and inspired me, and my weight gain has rendered this type of vigorous practice extremely difficult, which I find frustrating. However, after exploration of several options, I have decided to return to vinyasa practice and to modify where necessary. I continue to find that a vigorous practice most helps to influence my mental state, though I plan to supplement this practice with Iyengar classes, which I love.
The anxiety elements of my depression constantly urge me to cloister myself in my house, to postpone practice for another day. I struggle with this. And though I have formerly had an extremely rewarding home practice, I find that now I crave a teacher's guidance even more than the physical and emotional strength I know I will find in my practice. I know that a group class will be the best answer, but sometimes I feel like a stubborn mule pulling back on a lead, refusing to move forward. In the moments before I know I must leave for class, I find myself throwing out every possible excuse in order to not go. I also find myself struggling with the idea of anonymity. I seek it desperately, as it helps to mitigate the anxiety I feel at being away from home. While I seek the intimacy of group practice, I am also afriad of getting too close to a teacher, to disappointing him or her with my lack of conviction or progress. I feel irrationally angry at the thought that a teacher might notice I was not in class.
But my most irrational anger is directed both towards myself and towards the practice of yoga as a whole. I feel betrayed and hurt that my practice was not "enough" to stave off my depression. I remember so well a conversation I had with my mother after a year of dedicated daily practice. I told her I finally felt liberated, as if I had found the key to peace and joy after all this time. I felt I had found my true self, my true path. Of course, I still believe this to be true. Yet I am furious at my disease, and furious that my dedication and my conviction toward my practice couldn't keep it at bay. When I remember the glow and light I felt during my teacher training, I want to cry for all I seem to have lost. Intellectually, I know that I have not lost it, that the light is still within me, but it is a constant battle for me to believe in it. For now, I endeavor to put one foot in front of the next. This afternoon I will take my first class in six months.
I too have had depression, but I mixed alcohol and cocaine to self treat-ohhh and what a special combination that was....
I do not suffer from depression now, and I've come to realize it served my purpose...and my loving acceptance (just recently) of that period has aided in my moving on and being happy, healthy, and holy (I'm of the Kundalini yogic variety)
I am reading a book by Thomas Moore, you've probably seen some of his work, this one is entitled "Care and feeding of the Soul" ---Oh my God I wish I had read this earlier when I was processing the "stuff" that triggered the fear and then the depression.
It helped me to better understand what psyhic work the depression affords us and reduced the shame and lostness the depression felt like.
I would send you my copy, so strongly do I believe that it will clarify, and so much do I wish someone had done this for me-But my copy is a borrowed copy.
Thomas Moore is the widely acclaimed author of the New York Times bestsellers Care of the Soul; Soul Mates; and The Re-enchantment of Everyday Life. He has practiced psychotherapy for over 17 years and has published many articles in the fields of archetypal and Jungian psychology, mythology, and the arts. He has also written The Planets Within; Rituals of the Imagination; and Dark Eros.
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You said: "As my recovery from depression has progressed, I have returned many time to my practice, but I continually abandon my efforts--sometimes after a class or two, sometimes after six weeks or a few months. Instinctually, I return to yoga again, yet I am absolutely petrified. In addition to my loss of physical facility with the postures, I have gained a drastic amount of weight (seventy pounds)."
If you have been away from the practice for several years and have gained weight, then of course it is going to be more difficult. That is only a practical, mechanical matter of getting the body back into shape and back into the habit of doing the yoga practices. It will take time, don't expect instant results. Don't worry about doing the "full" practice as others in the class may be able to do. Do what you can do and don't compare what you can do with what others can do. If you are persistent and patient, then your body will adjust over time and you will find yourself being able to do more and more. There is no such thing as "I can't", there is only "I can... even if only a little bit... and as time goes by, given enough effort, I will be able to even better." If it's something you really want to do, then do it, and don't give up... but don't be unrealistic in your immediate expectations, and don't push yourself too hard. A slow but steady advancement is much more beneficial than a rapid, unstable advancement that is often followed by a hard crash or "fallout"...
You said: "I feel betrayed and hurt that my practice was not "enough" to stave off my depression."
There is absolutely no reason to feel "betrayed". Yoga itself is NOT enough to stave off such a depression. When strong karma is ready to unfold... or to put it another way... when karmic seeds are ready to sprout... there is very little that can be done to fully prevent that unfoldment. There is much that can be done to mitigate the effects, but very little can be done to fully prevent it. Yoga is one tool, or aid, that can be used to mitigate the effects of karma. But it is no "super-cure" that will fully prevent depression or other negative karmic tendencies. Other such "tools" are meditation, prayer/worship, service to others, contemplation, proper diet, study of spiritual texts/scripture, avoidance of "bad company" who will only drag you down into negative states of mind, and others that I'm surely forgetting to mention.
Your depression was an unfoldment of karma, possibly from a strong habitual depression from a past life, or due to poor "choices" or circumstances in this life (such as diet, living conditions, the company you choose to keep, low self esteem due to comparison to others or unrealistic expectations of yourself, and many other possibilities). It is something that must be accepted, and worked through. It sounds like you are coming out of "the worst of it", but I'm sure you are still feeling many negative after-effects. The important thing is to not let those effects bring you down. Accept the fact that they are there, but don't give in to them. Don't let them control you. Pick yourself up and push on, no matter how many times you fall. It requires effort and willpower to lift yourself up from muddy places, but if you keep trying, you will make it out for sure.
I have read that "No amount of spiritual effort goes unrewarded", and I have seen it to be true. No matter how miniscule or seemingly insignificant your progress is, and no matter how many times you fall, whatever effort you make is NOT lost. You may not notice it when looking into the immediate past or present. You may not feel that you are making any progress at all. It may take 5, 10, 15 years until you can look back and actually notice any significant progress. But I assure you it's there.
So don't let "failures" and negative feelings bring you down. Those negativities are just dirt and grime that need to be cleaned off. They are not a part of you... don't worry so much about them. If you focus on the negative, "dirty" things, then that will become all that you are able to see. Focus on the positive things that you enjoy, and don't pay much attention to the negatives, no matter how strong they may be.
There is probably a lot more that I could say but my thoughts are starting to wander, so this is all for now. :)
Good luck, and don't take things so seriously... life isn't as serious as people tend to think. :)
--James
All you say is true, but have compassion my friend-when depression sets in, no amount of commonsense logic makes any difference only HEART.
Inother words I'll bet she already knows all you said -especially if she taught yoga, the point is she feels lost -it isn't the lack of agility, or just the weight, it is the feeling of being depressed-literally the energetic system has contracted.
Tenderness and understanding of the condition and the hurt, not instructions in picking oneself up...
I'd guess you've never experienced depression-it's not about logic-unfortunately
If it were only so manageable!
Sorry but there was something mechanical sounding I intuited-and the wandering mind comment...doesn't sound very connected to the condition or feelings.
9th
There was nothing mechanical about it, and I assure you my words come from a very deep understanding.
I don't know what kind of "tenderness & compassion" you hope to see expressed over a text-only medium such as this. People generally (incorrectly) equate "words of pity" with "words of compassion"... I could say "I totally understand how you feel, and I feel so sorry for you, and I hope things get better"... But I don't feel sorry for her... why? Because I know she'll come out of it... there is absolutely nothing to worry about. We all experience negativities, and we all have to work through them. I'm only interested in helping people work through those things. If I had no compassion or understanding, then I wouldn't have bothered posting in the first place.
If someone is depressed, you can sit there and tell them how you understand their condition and their "pain", but what good does it do? It gives them a small sense of "at least somebody understands", but it does nothing to help lift them up out of it. You said "Tenderness and understanding of the condition and the hurt, not instructions in picking oneself up...", but that sounds somewhat absurd... when someone is in such a state of mind, "instructions" (to use a somewhat... mechanical... term) on lifting oneself up is EXACTLY what they need. Or at the very least, it's the best that one can give over a non-intimate medium such as this.
She came here searching for help and upliftment. We can all sit around and give words of understanding and compassion, but what good does it do if nobody gives any advice to actually help her with her situation?
As for the "wandering mind" comment that I made... When I read posts like that of woodlawn's, I'm often flooded with many thoughts, explanations, or understandings that I want to express to the person. It's not uncommon for me to spend an hour or more on a response, because while writing I stop very frequently to contemplate and reflect on what it is I'm writing, what I want to write, and to "collect" and keep track of my thoughts. Over such a span of time, it is sometimes hard to maintain focus and stay on the same train of thought while at the same time writing or thinking about "sub-topics" that may be relevent to the discussion. After a while the mind begins to lose focus, and that's when I decide it's best to stop. I didn't mean to imply that the things I've written were from a wandering or uncollected mind... that gives the impression that my entire post was only "half-assed" and had no real "heart" or understanding to it, which is not the case.
"Just out of curiousity-have you had a depressive bout?"
That is a somewhat difficult question to answer. I would say the majority of us have experienced varying degrees of depression. You can ask anyone if they've had a depressive bout, and probably 90% of people will say yes they have had depressive periods in their life. As for me specifically, I can't say I've had any DEEP bout of long-term depression, but the emotions predominate in this mind & body have in large part been on the "darker side" of moody, depressed, melancholy, and sad. As a teenager it was accepted by a psychologist that I was "depressed" (I don't know if it was ever officially diagnosed or not). But, I can't easily say that *I* have been depressed. I have been aware of the emotional states of this mind, but there has always been a certain feeling of "those things are only external", so all I can really say is that yes, this mind and body have experienced depression, but I have never really felt "overwhelmed" by those feelings... or that "I" am those feelings.
"Where do your qualifications to give advice stem from?"
Ahh, I suspected this question would come up. :)
I have absolutely no qualifications, or at least not the kind of qualifications I'm sure you are looking for (degrees, experience teaching, etc.) And I'm not that concerned with providing such qualifications. I can only give advice that I think is appropriate based on my observations and understandings of the world around me. I have no "academic" qualifications, and if that makes my advice invalid in your eyes, then that's perfectly OK and it just means that my advice isn't for you. :) My original post was directed at a specific person, and I hope that that person will find at least something useful from my words. Different people have different minds, and the words that I would give to one person are not necessarily the same words that I would give to another. So don't worry so much about trying to validate my advice. :)
"You are a yogi?"
Am I a yogi? I can not say that I am and I can not say that I'm not.
In closing, I should note that we have somewhat deviated from the original post in this thread, and it probably isn't fair to the original poster to "hijack" the thread with discussion about whether or not my advice is valid. We probably shouldn't continue much further with this particular line of discussion, at least not in this thread.
Sarcasm does abolutely nothing to help anyone, and I would suggest that you do a bit of introspection to try and understand why you feel a need to display such a negative and pointless trait. Sarcasm does nothing but satisfy the individual ego.
If your post was not out of sarcasm, then I apologize for seeing it as such, and I must say that I aboslutely am NOT "all-knowing", nor do I ever claim to be. I only give my own observations based on the things I have seen and have experienced.
Further, I am curious as to why you have devoted so much attention to my response to woodlawn and trying to point out how "completely useless" my advice is. I am sure woodlawn is capable of making her own observations and comments as she feels necessary, as she has now done. Although I have said we should not continue with this discussion much further, this is something I am quite curious to know about... and if you would provide an honest response giving some insight as to why you've felt the need to downplay my advice, I would be very thankful!
It sounds like you are so "in your head" that you miss the point.
This is what you have failed to see, and you go on with the discourse ....at length...
I intuit a narcisstic nature that has stopped you in matters of the heart. It carries an odd tone that it produces; professorial, then full of self, then defensive...a genuine sincerity, but all head..."not connected". Young?
I am sure you are a very fine genuine person....Qualified-only you can know....Woodlawn has tact and found value in the "one step at a time theory" the rest was hurtful to read. That was the basis for the Demeter reaction James.
"I intuit a narcisstic nature that has stopped you in matters of the heart. It carries an odd tone that it produces; professorial, then full of self, then defensive...a genuine sincerity, but all head..."not connected". Young?"
I find Jungs concept of "mirroring" very applicable here.
The words you used in your post are very revealing of your inner sanctum.
I don't really have any interest in writing a book... nor do I have any interest in "writing for the sake of writing". I enjoy responding to "real" situations and topics that arise spontaneously (as they do on this forum for example). They inspire me, and more importantly, I want to share my understandings with those that may find them helpful, on a "case by case" basis. Whether the majority of people will find my thoughts "agreeable" or not, who knows?... and who cares?
Have you thought about a 'yoga buddy?' Knowing someone was there waiting to meet you at class could be the motivation you need to get out the door. I hesitated to write after seeing Jame's thoughtful response so negatively jumped on, but thought this idea might help.
Best wishes
You know, I have thought about it, and I think a yoga buddy is a great idea. Posting to this site had the same impetus--in addition to enabling me to verbalize my feelings (many I was embarrased to actually speak about), it has also served as a sort of written contract with myself. It also really helps to remind me of why practicing is a joy, not something to fear. I will absolutely look for a buddy, I think it could help a lot.
James and 9thbody, I really appreciate both of your responses. To be honest, James, when I first read your response, I felt a bit misunderstood, and even a little hurt. Part of why I wrote was to express what I called my "irrational anger"--which includes the sense of betrayal I felt towards yoga. I called it "irrational" because I know that yoga is neither my enemy nor my savior--it is a tool. I just wanted to be clear about that--I don't accept my anger or sense of betrayal as being just or right, by any means. But I do think that the anger is part of my road to acceptance of my disease, and experiencing it (and letting it go) is vital to my future ability to cope. It is just something I needed to express somewhere. Thus the anonymous forum. I wouldn't have become a teacher if I compared myself to my classmates or focused solely on the physical aspects of the practice (and my ineptness with many of them!). When I looked at your response more thoughtfully, though, I saw that we just come from different places, and as I got past my superficial emotional response, the last section of your comments really did have resonance. I loved that you emphasized the lasting effect of any spiritual work. It is something I struggle to remind myself of every day, and it is definitely my work to focus on that, rather than what I perceive to have "lost." As for being less serious, I'm sure that would help me! I wish I knew how to change that--"lighten up" is a suggestion I have encountered fairly constantly since my childhood.
9thbody, what can I say but that I think we have a lot in common. Most of all, it was really encouraging to me that you both agreed that I am on the road to recovery! I believe it too (somewhat hesitantly, at the moment), but I can't tell you how nice it is to hear it from two people who have only read my darkest and pettiest thoughts. I thank you so much for that, as well as for your advice.
I just felt you, and I knew that you would be more apt tp be touched by understanding -reather than directions. I even knew that had I gotten that response I would have been hurt, also.
I felt disconnected by the response-but it is not my job to defend! I have that Demeter Archetype-Mommy that means business and I identified with you!
FYI I think the buddy Idea is great, it is human contact. And it is mutual support!
Light
9th
I am sorry if the majority of my post was not very helpful, and I'm glad to hear that you have found at least something positive in it, even if that something was only a reminder of what you may have already known. :)
Yes, we all come from different places and experiences. That is what allows us to provide different perspectives. Nobody will understand your situation 100% except for you. Other people may experience "similar", but never the same, as your experiences are absolutely unique to you. Different perspectives are what allow us to see beyond our current "limited" vision and see our problems and obstacles in a new light, so that we can better work through them and move past them.
I hope that my post has provided at least some perspective, even if the majority of it isn't immediately useful to you. And I also must thank you for providing ME with YOUR perspective, especially in your response. I greatly enjoy seeing things "through the eyes of others" so to speak, and you could even say it is somewhat of an obsession of mine. :)
I have noticed that you have made many introspective and observational comments about your own situation, which is wonderful. It shows that you really are interested in putting forth the effort to work through your current obstacles. Not that I had any doubt to start with, but a lot of people ask for help out of frustration even though deep down they don't REALLY want to work through their problems... they don't want to make the necessary changes within themselves to mature, adapt, and overcome their obstacles. "Where there is a will there is a way." ... and THAT is why I have no doubt that you will work through your current problems. Remember that all of these challenges, obstacles and problems are only temporary... they don't stay with you forever. :)
I certainly did take notice of the "anxiety" and "irrational anger" parts of your post, but I chose (possibly in error) not to comment on them directly, since my post was already getting quite long. Maybe it was an unwise decision on my part.
No anger is ever "irrational", although it may be "irrationally placed". Anger, frustration, and all other negative emotions are all "effects" that don't exist without a "cause". When we aren't fully aware of the "source" of those emotions, we can often manifest or "place" those emotions onto something completely unrelated to the original source or cause. A simple example is that of a husband who has had a particularily bad day at work. He comes home and snaps at his wife even though she has done nothing. That is "irrational placement", because the husband isn't very aware of the source of his anger, or how to cope with it. He may later apologize to his wife and say that it was "irrational", but at some point earlier in the day there was a cause for that anger that entered into him undetected. Instead of becoming aware of it and destroying it at the "time of the cause", he unwittingly allowed it to enter into him and express itself for the rest of the day.
You can hunt down and eradicate all negative emotions. All it takes is introspection and awareness. Those emotions are invaders, tresspassers, which can only exist in the "darkness" of unawareness... infact they thrive in it. When you shed the light of awareness on them... just by SEEING them and being aware of them, they begin to wither away and die. So wield that all-powerful weapon called "meditation", and destroy the intruders. They have no place in your kingdom.
Now, a lot of what I've just said may not pertain to you directly, but I felt a need to "discourse" anyway. These words are only the ramblings of an unqualified fool, but at the very least they are something to think about. :)
Actually, a lot of your post was helpful--sorry if I made it seem otherwise. I think that understanding different perspectives is one of many things that will help me to be more functional in the world in general. At this point, I am still a little fragile (and thus hypersensitive), but learning to accept helpful thoughts from different vantage points is a really crucial step for me. I'm really trying to learn from this.
In other news, my practice is going well! I took one class Saturday and will take another this evening. I am very happy to be back. I'm trying to mobilize all resources to keep myself moving forward.
Not true at all-Think it is a positive caring connected suggestion on a way to provide support and intimacy with other yogics. I wholeheartedly agree
9th
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returning to practice after a long absence... 
