Bipolar Disorder: Strike these Yoga Poses for Managing the Condition Better

Mental health is one of the most neglected forms of health disease. It doesn’t get the attention it should and it is a serious issue that has been ignored for a long time. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), approximately 2500 people in every 1 million suffer in India from a mental disorder. Mental health is an umbrella term for various mental health diseases. One such term is Bipolar Disorder.

Bipolar disorder refers to a mental illness marked by unusual mood swings. It can also cause extreme shifts in your energy levels and activity levels. A person suffering from bipolar disorder finds it difficult to carry out daily tasks. Medically, no particular cause of bipolar disorder has been found but there are a few risk factors that may increase your chances of developing the problem. One of them is stress. Stress can worsen the condition and it needs to be dealt with.

Yoga is one of the best solutions to calm your mind and body. It can be helpful in your fight against bipolar disorder. Yoga is a combination of breathing and meditation which relaxes both your mind and body. Here are some yoga poses you should try that will help fight the disease:

Dandasana (Staff Pose)

• Sit on the floor with your back straight and your legs pointing forward. Your legs should be parallel to each other.
• Place your hands on the floor next to your hips.
• While you are in this position, your upper body should be in a straight line.
• Press the hands straight down and lift through the deep lower abdomen.
• Keeping your torso perpendicular to the ceiling and lift the crown to the ceiling.
• Make sure to keep your core engaged.
• Hold the pose for 1 minute and repeat.

Ardha Pincha Mayurasana (Dolphin Pose)

• Begin with a table position with forearms on the floor and hips towards the ceiling.
• Press the forearms, fingers and the palms on the floor and lift the hips. 
• Keep the back straight and press the heels into the floor.
• Inhale and exhale for 1 minute and release.

Also read: Ancient Yoga Breathing Techniques to Aid Digestion

Setu Bandhasana (Bridge Pose)

• Lie on the floor facing upward.
• Place your heels close to your hips and hold onto the ankles.
• Now inhale and lift your hips.
• Try to go as high as possible while keeping your breath stable.
• Hold for 4-6 breaths and slowly exhale down to the initial position.
• Relax with your legs parallel to the floor.

Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward Bend)

• Sit with your legs straight to the front keeping your back straight.
• Flex your toes towards you and inhale.
• Raise your hands to the roof and stretch.
• Exhale and bend forward with your chin moving towards the toes.
• Let your hands reach your toes or beyond. Hold your right hand with your left in case you can reach beyond the toes.
• Place your head on the knees or shin. Hold the position and keep exhaling
• Stretch the arms again and slowly come back to the initial position while exhaling.
• Now inhale and lower the arms and relax.

Also read: 7 Yoga Mistakes That You Should Not Be Doing

Garudasana (Eagle Pose)

• Stand straight with your hands rested on either side and back straight.
• Stretch your arms in front of you and bend your knees.
• Put all your weight on the left foot by crossing the right thigh over the left.
• Hook the right foot behind the left calf.
• Put your right arm underneath your left arm by wrapping your elbows and wrists together.
• Move your hips towards the ground and feel the stretch in your hips.
• Exhale and unwrap the hands, legs and come to the initial position.
• Now repeat on the other side.

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