Viniyoga Therapy for Depression

Overview

The Viniyoga Therapy DVD series presents Gary Kraftsow's acclaimed, expert use of therapeutic yoga techniques to promote lasting healing, health and self-transformation.

Accessible • Efficient • Effective

Viniyoga Therapy for Depression is based on Gary's book Yoga for Wellness and nearly 40 years of experience with one-on-one client care. Gary’s approach on this DVD combines specific yogic methods in an integrated way to address depression in each of the physiological, cognitive, emotional and behavioral domains, providing the possibility of lasting healing and self-transformation for the sincere practitioner.

The DVD features two main sections: the Lectures section, where Gary discusses the major symptoms of depression and the therapeutic methods adapted to alleviate them; and the Practices section, which features two complete therapeutic practices unique to this DVD.

Designed for everyone—even if you've never practiced yoga before!

Yoga Therapy and Viniyoga™

Viniyoga therapy recognizes that human experience plays out on a vast multidimensional field characterized by continual change. These dimensions—thought, mood, behavior, the body’s physiology and anatomy, our family, society, physical environment, and the surrounding cosmos—can be thought of as nine “cities” or spheres of existence that overlap and interpenetrate one another. Viniyoga therapy offers the means to develop the physical energy, mental clarity, emotional stability, and determination to respond to the variable conditions in each of these domains in the most appropriate and effective way. This DVD achieves these goals for conditions of depression through two efficient practices:

• • Practice #1 is designed to create physiological balance


• • Practice #2 invites the practitioner to experience directly their ability to shift their mood and alter their self-concept.

Practice #2 also features the use of ‘mantra japa’ or chanting, which is one of the most profound methods of the yoga tradition for physiological and psycho-emotional transformation. The meaning of these Sanskrit mantras are simple and universal, reminding us that our true nature is not defined by our momentary thoughts, feelings and circumstances.

Special Note on Anxiety and Depression

Symptoms of anxiety and depression can often manifest together in the different domains of our experience (for example, depressed mood with physiological anxiety) or our symptoms may fluctuate between those of anxiety and depression. The Viniyoga Therapy DVDs for Anxiety and Depression can effectively be used together as a toolkit of appropriate methods depending upon your changing needs.

The Viniyoga Therapy DVD Series

This series is a growing library of therapeutic DVDs designed by Gary Kraftsow to alleviate and heal some of the most widespread structural, physiological and psycho-emotional ailments. Current titles in this series also include:

• • Viniyoga Therapy for Anxiety
• • Viniyoga Therapy for the Low Back, Sacrum and Hips
• • Viniyoga Therapy for the Upper Back, Neck and Shoulders

Details

Highlights from this DVD include:

• • Lectures on yoga therapy for the treatment of depression (60 minutes)
• • Therapeutic Practice #1: Physiological Rebalancing for Depression (51 minutes)
• • Therapeutic Practice #2: Shifting Mood and Self-Concept (38 minutes)

Special features:

• • English subtitle option for all material
• • Bonus MP3s of all practices for portable practice

Buyer's Guide

• Audience: This DVD is suitable for everyone. No previous yoga experience required.
• Focus: Therapeutic yoga practices to alleviate conditions of depression
• Intensity: Mild intensity; slow-paced movement and breath
• Props: Yoga mat, blanket, cushion/chair for meditation
• Style: Gentle movements with breath, chanting and relaxation

Media Reviews

"The simplicity of Kraftsow's approach enhances the powerful effect of the practices, relieving the discomfort of anxiety and depression for beginners and advanced students alike. And this simplicity actually makes it easier for someone suffering from anxiety or depression to step onto the mat. For those looking for an authentic yoga therapy experience and relief from anxiety and depression, these DVDs can be a wonderful support for healing."

"This video program is an excellent resource for those who suffer from mild to moderate depression. The DVD is full of great content...The lectures are very well done, and they explain the neurological and psychological origins of depression and how yoga therapy (including breathing, chanting and mediation) can be used to treat this disease... Both practices contain similar flowing poses, combine movement with the rhythm of the breath, and are suitable for beginning yoga students. The second practice also combines simple Sanskrit chanting with movement and breath. The production and filming is well-done and very professional."

Customer Reviews

Also from Gary Kraftsow

About Gary Kraftsow

Gary Kraftsow, MA has been a pioneer in the transmission of yoga for health, healing and personal transformation for 30 years. He began his study of yoga in India with T.K.V. Desikachar in 1974 and received a Viniyoga Special Diploma from Viniyoga International in Paris, France in the mid 80’s.

Gary graduated with a BA, Magna Cum Laude, from Colgate University in 1976, and received his Masters Degree in Psychology and Religion from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1983. He spent many years in private yoga therapy practice, teaching workshops and training teachers. Since then, he has become a renowned speaker and teacher of the Viniyoga methodology at many conferences and schools nationally and internationally. In 1999 he founded American Viniyoga Institute.

Gary has successfully developed protocol for two National Institute of Health studies: “Evaluating Yoga for Chronic Low Back Pain” and “Yoga Therapy for Generalized Anxiety.”

He is the Founder, Director and Senior Teacher of American Viniyoga™ Institute's Teacher and Therapist Trainings, and the author of two books published by Penguin: Yoga for Wellness and Yoga for Transformation. For more information please visit www.viniyoga.com.

You may also enjoy our special Sacred Cow interview with Gary: Gary Kraftsow On Yoga Therapy and Your Mood.