Do you experience depression? Does it affect your relationships? How you work, your energy levels and overall health? Do you ever contemplate the unthinkable?

Depression is a clinical dis-ease (dis-ease being the opposite of ease) that is described as a state of unhappiness and hopelessness. As the temperature drops and the holiday season quickly approaches many people find they experience states of depression. The question arises, what causes it? Is it a lack of sun or exercise, poor diet, excessive partying, or chemical drug use? I assert one or more of the above, however there are things you can do everyday that ensure your depressed states of being are short lived.

The most important thing to know and accept about depression is that everyone experiences it. Some of us more than others but nevertheless, everyone including myself gets depressed once and a while. There are as many reasons for what causes depression, as there are people. We all have different ways of being or living that can trigger an onset of depression.

In my experience it is much easier to prevent getting depressed than it is to deal with it once it has become my reality. During the recent yoga show I personally consulted a few yogis regarding their thoughts on the easiest way to prevent depression and regain balance once it hits. Their answer was the same, breathe.

Every week there are books being published and articles being written that teach people ways to stay healthy and balanced through the practice of deep breathing. In my belief system the center of everything generates, and subsequently returns to one source or energy that is alive and surrounds each of us. At any moment in time we can connect to it and find the answers to the questions we have. Any good self help or health book published or article written will tell you what the yogis have known for thousands of years, breathing is the easiest way to calm the mind enough so that it can relax and allow you to regain your balance.

I’m not talking about the unconscious breathing you are doing right know as you read these words. I’m talking about conscious breathing. Using the breath to heal mental and physical dis-ease. Depression, anxiety, fear, panic attacks, addictions and sickness can all be healed using your breath.

Imagine for a moment the next time you begin to experience the beginning symptoms of depression or any dis-ease for that matter and instead of reaching for a drink, cigarette, joint, pill bottle or something to eat you find a quiet place where you will not be disturbed, lye down, turn off the telephone(s) and breathe.

What will happen?

Good question.

At first you may become physically uncomfortable as your mind and body begin to unravel the thousands of thoughts you have everyday and realize that you are giving it the opportunity to heal and release whatever feelings, emotions or toxins need to be in order for you to feel better. Remember depression is a state of unhappiness or hopelessness. You may be unhappy with your work, your intimate relationship, a friend, parents, co-worker or feeling hopelessness in your overall life. Allowing yourself the opportunity to experience and go through whatever feelings and emotions are present is the most effective way to feel better.

As you become still and focus your attention on your breath all sorts of negative emotions and feelings will begin to surface. As I said before you may experience uncomfortable sensations within your physical body. Aches and pains in your joints are usually the most common. I tell you from personal experience that if you stay focused on your breath and notice what you feel without becoming attached to it, your aches and pains will disappear. This will eventually result in a renewed feeling inspiration and positive optimism.

You can try this in the privacy of your own home to maintain your comfort levels, and below is my recommendation for those that wish to explore natural alternatives to inevitable stress. One of the easiest and most effective forms of conscious breathing that I know of to become balanced is known as LONG DEEP BREATHING, and is taught by Yogi Bhajan Ph.D.

In order to do these correctly, begin by clearly distinguishing three parts of a full breath: lower (abdominal), middle, and upper (chest). Find a comfortable and clean area where you can sit straight or lye flat on your back. If the spine is in a balanced position, the ribs and muscles are able to move freely. Begin inhaling with an abdominal breath. Then expand the chest and finish by lifting the upper ribs. All three parts are done in a smooth motion. As you exhale start by relaxing the ribs and then slowly emptying the chest. Finally pull in the abdomen to force out any remaining air. Continue in a rhythmic way inhaling a four count, holding an eight count and exhaling a four count. Each part of the breath expansion is distinct. When all three are combined you have a full or complete long deep breath.

How To Do It

Inhale | A complete breath starts by filling the abdomen, then expanding the chest and finally lifting the upper ribs. (4 Count)

Hold breath (8 Count)

Exhale | Deflate your upper chest, then the middle and finally the abdomen pulls in as the navel point pulls back towards the spine. (4 Count)

Repeat Until State of Calm is achieved

Benefits Of Long Deep Breathing

Relaxing, calming, regulates emotions, reduces insecurity and fear, aids in emotional and physical healing, makes you more positive and optimistic

Stimulates the production of endorphins in your brain, which eliminates the tendency of depression. Pumps spinal fluid to your brain, giving you increased energy and vitality
Increases energy, vitality, mental clarity & patience

Reduces and prevents build-up of toxins in your lungs. Filling your lungs to capacity feeds your electro-magnetic field. Strengthening your magnetic field makes you less liable to fall victim to accidents, sickness and negativity
Cleans your blood. Reduces and prevents toxic buildup caused by not clearing the mucous lining of the small air sacs (alveoli) of your lungs

Aids in releasing blockages in meridian energy flow.

Activates and cleans nerve channels

Aids in breaking subconscious undesirable habit patterns and addictions

“Knowledge Only Becomes Wisdom Through Personal Experience”

Kita Forever