World Mental Health Day is observed yearly on October 10th.

I have known this for years and yet, all of Monday (not October 10th) I was convinced that it was the 10th of October, World Mental Health Day. It was only as I was about to post on social media that I thought to myself... "Today isn't October 10th!" And so I paused, took a moment, and laughed at myself because I've been very busy managing some life circumstances and have been on the go. Clearly I need to take some time for my own mental health.

This is what I do when I practice: I pause, breathe and check in with what I need. Day to day my needs vary. I may focus on my breath or my body, I may listen to chanting or devotional tales, I may rest. More rest is in my immediate future!

Before we go any further into this post, I invite you to take a moment to pause. Notice how your breath is flowing, how your body is feeling, pay attention to your heart and mind. Observe the space you are in at present, notice what is there.

What is mental health?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mental health is “a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community”. Our mental health supports our individual and collective abilities of decision making and relationship building. It allows us to manage the world we live in.

Signs of good mental health (as suggested by research finalised in 2020) can include:

• a greater ability to cope with stress

• self-management strategies

• social skills

• presence of significant relationships with loved ones

• physical and sexual health

• a sense of the meaning of life

• a sense of quality of life

The benefits of yoga on mental health

Yoga offers a multi-pronged approach to managing mental health through physical practice, working with the breath and subtle energy body, meditation, devotion and building awareness. Benefits of yoga on mental health can include:

• stress reduction: there are multiple studies that show that every manifestation of stress is improved by yoga. Studies look at levels of cortisol (an essential hormone that helps regulate our stress response), at how our brain processes change during practice (seen through neuroimaging) and observe how persons are able to manage stress after a period of yoga practice.

• enhanced mental clarity: yoga has been shown to strengthen parts of the brain that are responsible for information processing, learning and memory. We gain sharper focus and clearer thinking.

• improved attention span and concentration: allowing us to maintain focus as needed in everyday activities.

• better sleep: through relaxation techniques using breath and awareness.

• better moods: related to balancing stress hormones in the body.

• enhanced self-awareness: allowing for deeper understanding and acceptance of one's thoughts and emotions.

Community Conversations...

This week I've asked those in my classes to reflect and share their observations of yoga's impact on their mental health. Here are some of their responses:

How will you observe this World Mental Health Day? Have you noticed any changes in your mental state if you have a regular yoga practice?

Share with me via the contact form or email!

peace,