Healing Depression the Mind-Body Way

"If you have an interest in optimum mental health, this book belongs on your shelf!" —AMY WEINTRAUB, author of Yoga for Depression "A must-read for anyone interested in overcoming depression and healing themselves naturally. A very important book that will elevate you in many ways. Everyone must seek it out." —DHARMA SINGH KHALSA, M.D., author of Meditation as Medicine and Dead Brain Cells Don't Lie ACTIVATE THE INHERENT WISDOM OF YOUR MIND-BODY Healing Depression the Mind-Body Way shines a new light on the darkness of depression by presenting specific antidepression strategies designed to help you unleash your innate healing potential. The time-tested advice presented in this book is based on the latest theories of modern science and the practical wisdom of Ayurveda, an ancient system of natural medicine. This unique book offers a comprehensive step-by-step program for eradicating the root of depression from the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of your being. Through detailed questionnaires about your psycho-physiological profile and elemental imbalances, you will identify an archetype that most represents your experience with depression. Then, you will design a tailor-made health program to regain balance in your mind-body. You will learn to undo depression by: Identifying your unique manifestation of depression based on elemental imbalances Using yoga, exercise, and breathing techniques that are in sync with your specific physical, mental, and emotional needs Using food and meditation as medicine Whether you are battling a depressive episode or need support coping with the problems of daily living, this book will help you awaken the "physician within" and embark on a pathway to a life of balance and renewal.

Foreword by Vasant Lad, B.A.M.&S., M.A.Sc. vii Acknowledgments ix Introduction 1 Part I Finding Another Way 5 1 Beyond the Broken Brain 7 2 Why Depression Happens 23 3 The Many Faces of Depression 31 4 Airy Depression 44 5 Burning Depression 52 6 Earthy Depression 62 7 Metabolizing Life 70 8 Consciousness Becomes Us 82 Part II Creating Happiness 97 9 Meditation: Transcending Darkness 99 10 Breathing: Letting Your Life Force Flow 123 11 Exercise: Moving Your Spirit 143 12 Yoga: Posing for Life 160 13 Sleep: Recharging Your Life Force 188 14 Food: Nourishing Rites 216 15 Now What? 252 Appendix: Authors’ Evaluation of the Mind-Body Questionnaire: Assessing Our Imbalances 267 Resources 269 Index 271