Yoga for Depression: Blame and Control

Sometimes blaming others for our problems is easierpositive-thinking cancer patients.
than finding solutions. Any of us can blame our friends,Sometimes, we are blamed for something we had no
parents, co-workers, family, and significant other forinvolvement in. Our reaction is to feel bad about it, but
"our lot in life." We can also blame "every driver on thewe must develop "thicker skin" and avoid those who
road of life."would make us the "scapegoat." When you are
Have you ever heard something similar to this?constantly harassed by someone; it is not good for
"Everyone over there drives terribly, but not me." Whatyour mental health to repeatedly expose yourself to
is the source of all this blame? It is an inherentanguish.
discontent with life.Another contributor to depression is the desire to
Unfortunately, this usually occurs when we quietlycontrol everything. There are so many different
blame ourselves for everything on a regular basis.possibilities in this life. As a result, life creates
Yoga teaches us to accept our mistakes and tocircumstances beyond our control. This does not give
accept what we cannot change.us the right to neglect everything, but we must learn to
Some people silently carry blame around with them allaccept that we try our best, and that is all we can do.
of their lives. Others look at past mistakes and agonizeIf you do your best every day, forgive yourself for any
over them. Mindfulness is a universal practice, taught inmistakes.
Yoga classes, that will help you live for now.At the same time we must forgive friends, family, and
We cannot change the past, but we can learn from it,co-workers for being human. If you learn to accept
and do our best to help those who we have hurt in theimperfection, you will be pleasantly surprised, when you
past. Mindfulness and Yoga meditation techniques willsee perfection as a rare jewel.
help anyone appreciate the present moment and theSo, what did any of this have to do with Yoga? Yama
prospects of a brighter future. How is this possible?and Niyama are the first two limbs of Yoga. The
Each style of Yoga works on the mental aspects ofsecond Niyama is Santosha, also known as
health. Even the very physical styles, of Yoga, work oncontentment.
the mental component of health. A healthy mind willA mind without contentment is also without peace. Do
contribute to your physical health exponentially. As annot confuse contentment with riches. The rich can only
example of this, look at the recoveries ofbe truly content, when they share.