individual benefits from yoga postures

Also, there are general accepted benefits of the various poses. I don't think it's so clearcut, however. It would seem to be that this is, at least on some level, akin to dream analysis. There aren't clearcut symbols or definitions for what benefits what. It's helpful to read about a given pose and its generally-accepted benefits. However, on some level, there are many individual benefits that are unique to each individual. Knowing too much about anything confounds our own experience of whatever it may be. Before I obtain too much second-hand knowledge about yoga, I'd like to play around with the poses and intuit my own take on the poses' benefits for me personally.

For instance (and this is just a fleeting thought with no scientific backing whatsoever), let me go on a limb and say that simple inversions should be good for both short-lasting foul moods or long-lived depression. These are poses that don't require too much vigorous effort and that stretch the back while grounding you as your head reaches towards the ground. Downward-facing dog is an example of this. Also child's pose, forward fold, stretching your feet out upwards against a wall, and rabbit. My intuition is to hold poses longer with less intensity to ease negative feelings. Bringing your hands to your heart center, maybe in tree or tadasana, also helps to center you. Raising your hands to the sky is usually uplifting, and perhaps a mini back-bend would be satisfactory as well, with a dive forward to let it all go. Breath is especially vital. On the contrary, I don't think twists are as good for this. Same goes for high-intensity inversions such as headstands and handstands. This is based from my own experience, however. Others may feel differently, and that doesn't make anyone wrong in my book.

yoga, mental states, and intensified emotions

My yoga lesson today was admittedly unpleasant. At times, it seems that if I go into yoga practice with something pretty big on my mind, yoga doesn't necessarily help to resolve the issue. Doing yoga in an exhausted state often alleviates the fatigue. However, practicing when I'm deeply concerned about something does not assuage my feelings. I was on the verge of tears in several yoga practices, and it seems that the more I push my body, the more intense the emotions. My strongest practice was about a year ago when I was doing Baptiste yoga in Pittsburgh. A one-and-a-half-hour class at 100 degrees really did me in, especially since I was only beginning then. I came out drenched with sweat, tears, and many tissues to throw out from blowing my nose. Maybe I'm overly sensitive, but it's certainly more than just exercise.

I was pretty lazy today, and I felt pretty miserable that I was taking it easy, but I don't blame myself anymore. I was able to do much less than I usually am, and my endurance was low and my body stiff, but it was appropriate, considering my mental state. There have been times in the past where one such practice would cause me to give up yoga for a while, and this is a huge mistake. Maybe it's a test; it seems inconvenient that it comes at such an inopportune time, but perhaps that's part of it as well.

I guess my question is this: if you're having a particularly bad day, when everything, including yoga, irritates you, should you bother with yoga? I think the answer is yes. My thoughts on this are a bit scattered, and it's difficult for me to articulate exactly what I'm trying to say.

After I came home from yoga this morning, I completely broke down in a crying fit. It's not an easy time, but maybe this sort of allowed for a later uplift. I do feel much better after the morning ordeal. I think it cleared some passageways in a slightly unconventional manner, but it somehow worked, at least for tonight.