I'm a busy mom to 3 young kids, I am a SAHM, I run my own business, volunteer at school, shuttle kids to ECFE and preschool, drive the girls to dance, you know, the whole shabang. I have a decent amount of stress and anxiety, and always have. I thought I would give Yoga a try before I sought out anxiety drugs from the dr. (which have worked in the past). I'd rather try a natural route to relaxing and becoming a better me before I go the chemical way. So my question is, do any of you use any good Yoga DVD's? I'm looking for something I can do while my kids are around, so nothing longer than 30 minutes. And, it doesn't have to be something for strength building, I go to the gym so I really am just looking for something that can increase my flexibility and offer some good relaxation techniques. Any good ones out there? Thanks ladies.
Thanks Ladies. I am going to pick up the Gaiam DVD. I attempted a video on demand last night but I guess it defeats the purpose of relaxation when I have to stop it and redirect my kids every 3 minutes. They wanted to do it with me, but not my idea of relaxation. I think I will have to find a quiet time to actually do it, but I want to make an honest effort.
I will definitely look into light therapy, but my problem isn't seasonal, it's year round. I've been feeling it for quite some time now and I just haven't made the effort to fix it. I just don't think I can live like this anymore. I appreciate the suggestions and I will be off to Target to get it today! I'm really excited.
Yoga is great, and you might want to also try full-spectrum light therapy. It works to quell my anxiety and I've been able to avoid taking anti-anxiety meds for almost 3 years by using it September-May. I use the Feel Bright Light visor. It's expensive, but worth it. The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook also helped this October when my anxiety got particularly bad, I think because I started light therapy too late in the season.
I really like the yoga DVDs that are put out by a company called Gaiam. You'll find them most anywhere -- Target, Borders, etc. If I were you, I would just get a yoga for beginners DVD. That will give you proper instruction on proper positioning and how to link your breath to your movement. One of my favorite instructors right now is Seane Corn (a woman) and Rodney Yee is very good as well.
I second the GAIAM videos. I like Rodney Yee. The DVD's are very up to date with great instruction, and they are shot on beautiful locations. Good for you, wanting to do something natural and so good for your mind, and body!
Shaklee makes a Vitamin B Complex that is supposed to help as well. I take a anxiety medication, the vitamin B complex, and I try to work out five days a week. It was a huge stretch to fit the workouts in my schedule, but going to the gym and dropping the kids off at the childcare for an hour works wonders. I tried working out at home for years and because of the constant inturruptions it never really helped.
Looks like you got lots of good suggestions re: yoga, which I applaud you for, btw.
Something in your post caught my attention that I hope you won't mind me responding to. There are other "chemicals" that can help you with anxiety--the natural ones that are found in foods and processed by your body as vitamins and minerals! I'm on a bunch of supplements that I believe help my anxiety--lots of vitamin B, D, fish oil, and an amino acid that the body turns into seratonin. A great read for more info is Henry Emmons' "The Chemistry of Joy."
Again, not a direct answer to your question, but just another suggestion of how to go the "natural route" to manage anxiety.
This is the best yoga DVD for stress relief by Gaiam. You notice a major difference afterwards. Suzanne Deason is her name. Love her!
http://video.barnesandnoble.com/search/product.asp?r=1&am...
One other option is Yummy Yoga... it is very much geared toward relaxation & stress relief, not at all strength or fitness. Also, I would check out any dvd from the library before I bought it.
