SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER
YOGA
If you’ve tried yoga, enjoyed a deserved break
but still have winter blues, you may want to
It is always important to do things for yourself,
Supported forward stretch
consider seeing your GP. Winter blues could be
and yoga can represent a great form of escapism.
being caused by Seasonal Affective Disorder
While many think yoga is just a load of stretching,
(SAD), a disorder which is caused by lack of
it is really about creating balance in the body
vitamin D and sunshine.
through developing strength and flexibility.
Symptoms of this include difficulty waking
This is done through the performance of poses
in the morning, a tendency to over-eat and
or postures while keeping breathing slow and
over-sleep, lack of energy and concentration
controlled. The body becomes relaxed and
and also a withdrawal from friends, family and
energised at the same time.
social activity.
Doing yoga regularly offers many benefits,
SAD affects an estimated 500,000 people
including making you feel better about your body
every winter between September and April,
as you become stronger and more flexible, toning
in particular during December, January and
your muscles, reducing stress and improving your
February.
mental and physical well-being.
“yoga can be
For many people, SAD is a disabling illness,
There are even medical benefits from doing yoga.
preventing them from functioning normally
These include the improvement of many medical done by people
without continuous medical treatment.
conditions including allergy and asthma symptom
relief, lower blood pressure, lower heart rate and a
Light therapy has been shown to be effective in
slowed aging process.
of any age and
up to 85 per cent of diagnosed cases. That is,
exposure, for up to four hours per day (average
“Yoga can be planned to suit mums, babies, young
body type.”
1-2 hours) to very bright light, at least 10 times
dancers, people re-starting a fitness programme,
the intensity of ordinary domestic lighting.
even people in wheelchairs,” says professional
BRIAN BROWN
yoga teacher Carolyn Jones. “It can be done by
people of any age and body type, with any level of breathe deeply enough. She feels this is because
fitness and ability.” we do not want to make it obvious that we have a
belly. We need to get over this inhibition, Carolyn
Carolyn, originally from Vancouver, Canada,
says. “Good brain function, good physical function
SALON
now teaches yoga in Swansea. “Our weather in
and effective mood control begin with taking in
Vancouver is similar to here – lots of grey, rainy
enough oxygen.”
days during the winter.”
1 BELLEVUE WAY
There are also many breathing practices which can
She says to help combat the blues there are
be done while in bed. “These are especially good
SWANSEA
specific yoga positions that give you energy and
for those cold winter mornings when the alarm
act as pick-me-ups.
clock has gone off and you’re having a hard time
SA1 5BZ
getting up to face the day.”
She says many of us, especially women, do not
T. 01792 301901
18 swansealife November 2009
WinterBlues.indd 18 19/10/2009 17:50:05 BrianBrown_FullPage_Final.indd 1 09/10/2009 15:47:33
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