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Healing Depression the Mind-Body Way: Creating Happiness with Meditation, Yoga, and Ayurveda
"If you have an interest in optimum mental health, this book belongs on your shelf!"
—A MY W EINTRAUB , 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."
—D HARMA S INGH K HALSA , M.D., author of Meditation as Medicine and Dead Brain Cells Don't Lie A CTIVATE 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: 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.
—A MY W EINTRAUB , 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."
—D HARMA S INGH K HALSA , M.D., author of Meditation as Medicine and Dead Brain Cells Don't Lie A CTIVATE 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: 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.
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
53 people are currently reading
379 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
December 19, 2010
This book makes so much sense to me. I love how they split depression into the three doshas. Instead of reading descriptions of symptoms (which always seem too general) I enjoyed reading profiles of people who exhibit each doshic type of depression. Right now I'm reading about pranayama work for each form of depression. Really looking forward to the chapters on yoga and ayurveda/food remedies.
June 11, 2010
I really learned a lot about Ayuvedic medicine from this book. The application was for depression, but it explained in great detail the three body types: vata, pitta, and kapha, and how to overcome problems in all three. The emphasis was on depression, but there was a great chapter on sleep problems. Very helpful.
June 23, 2013
I found this book useful. The three Depression Archetypes gave me a different way to think about depression. I also like the spice tea (cumin / coriander/ fennel) - don't know if it works but it's delicious!
April 12, 2019
I don't know why I read this, obviously I knew from the title that it would be pseudoscience drivel. LOL. Eating your food at a specific temperature isn't going to help your depression. Go get some sunshine and take your meds.
June 5, 2016
Simple and practical, easy to apply, works even if you only use a few of the ideas
February 4, 2021
Full of manipulated scientific half-truths mixed with occasional common-sense advice (eat, sleep, and exercise). Required reading for yoga teacher training. Don’t recommend.
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September 10, 2023I read this text for a class I took at the University of Minnesota: "Yoga: Ethics, Spirituality, and Healing." It was a terrific course, and I highly recommend it to everyone. This book is very approachable and provides the science behind the discipline of yoga in the context of one's mental health - depression specifically. Each chapter ends with a "Do You See Yourself in the Mirror?" where we are asked several, meaningful reflective questions.
I recommend this good.
Quotes:
"the project of restructuring body, mind, and spirit—we need practical techniques that help us to build ourselves up from the inside out. To fix a crumbling house, the builder starts at the foundation, not the roof. We must do the same.”
“Holism goes deeper than the eye can see. Human beings are more than the mortal packaging they inhabit. We are a creation of our consciousness. In fact, in a deeper reality, an energetic pattern of vibration underlies the totality of our being—body, mind, and spirit. From a holistic perspective, matter is energy and energy is matter, so there is no separation between body (matter) and mind (energy). Where attention goes, matter flows, it’s been said. The implication of this philosophy is tremendous: it implies that we can use our consciousness to create our worldview, our mind, and our body—and to heal. We do this by enlisting a consciousness-based health program based on the ancient science of Ayurveda.”
“You literally are what you eat. However, let us define the word eat as the process of ingesting and digesting everything we consume through our body, mind, and spirit. If our physical, mental, or emotional digestive ability becomes less than optimal, we can become overwhelmed with undigested matter, causing a disruption in any given aspect of our being.”
“To undo depression we must create its opposite: vitality. Happiness is the byproduct of a healthy physiology.”
“It is part of human nature that without intervention we will repeatedly return to the same solutions and the same habits.”
"If we could give every individual the right amount of nourishment and exercise, not too little and not too much, we would have found the safest way to health." - Hippocrates
"Enlightenment, peace, and joy will not be granted by someone else. The well is within us." Thich Nhat Hanh
I recommend this good.
Quotes:
"the project of restructuring body, mind, and spirit—we need practical techniques that help us to build ourselves up from the inside out. To fix a crumbling house, the builder starts at the foundation, not the roof. We must do the same.”
“Holism goes deeper than the eye can see. Human beings are more than the mortal packaging they inhabit. We are a creation of our consciousness. In fact, in a deeper reality, an energetic pattern of vibration underlies the totality of our being—body, mind, and spirit. From a holistic perspective, matter is energy and energy is matter, so there is no separation between body (matter) and mind (energy). Where attention goes, matter flows, it’s been said. The implication of this philosophy is tremendous: it implies that we can use our consciousness to create our worldview, our mind, and our body—and to heal. We do this by enlisting a consciousness-based health program based on the ancient science of Ayurveda.”
“You literally are what you eat. However, let us define the word eat as the process of ingesting and digesting everything we consume through our body, mind, and spirit. If our physical, mental, or emotional digestive ability becomes less than optimal, we can become overwhelmed with undigested matter, causing a disruption in any given aspect of our being.”
“To undo depression we must create its opposite: vitality. Happiness is the byproduct of a healthy physiology.”
“It is part of human nature that without intervention we will repeatedly return to the same solutions and the same habits.”
"If we could give every individual the right amount of nourishment and exercise, not too little and not too much, we would have found the safest way to health." - Hippocrates
"Enlightenment, peace, and joy will not be granted by someone else. The well is within us." Thich Nhat Hanh
March 10, 2018
This was on a suggested reading list for a yoga training I took. I was initially intrigued by Ayurveda as I know little about it. I can not say that my knowledge base has really expanded with this book. Much of the meat of this book seemed somewhat vague or lacked enough detail to really gain a good understanding of the topics put forth. I also found many of their examples simplistic.
While the authors advocate natural ways of treating depression, they denigrate the use of therapy (especially CBT) and medication. This was almost amusing to me as many of the natural treatments they suggested are generally a part of a good CBT program. The authors also insist that depression can not be treated one way (read medication and therapy) as everyone is different. Instead, they suggest three ways of treating depression. They also set out various rules that they later contradict (e.g. don't go to bed until you are sleepy, go to bed at the same time every night).
The authors also mention various studies throughout the book, but don't cite any of them. As a matter of fact, they have NO references listed in this book. Don't waste your time or money on this one.
While the authors advocate natural ways of treating depression, they denigrate the use of therapy (especially CBT) and medication. This was almost amusing to me as many of the natural treatments they suggested are generally a part of a good CBT program. The authors also insist that depression can not be treated one way (read medication and therapy) as everyone is different. Instead, they suggest three ways of treating depression. They also set out various rules that they later contradict (e.g. don't go to bed until you are sleepy, go to bed at the same time every night).
The authors also mention various studies throughout the book, but don't cite any of them. As a matter of fact, they have NO references listed in this book. Don't waste your time or money on this one.
April 14, 2020
There’s a lot of great Aryuvedic-based info and suggestions here. I wish the authors would have cited the studies they mentioned. Also, they exclusively endorse TM as “the only meditation that is effective based on evidence via scientific study” (I am paraphrasing-NOT a quote). I respectfully disagree, and again, would like to see citations to the research. Also, TM happens to be a form of meditation that one has to be initiated into in order to learn to practice. Meaning, it is one has to pay an income-based fee in order to learn and receive one’s mantra. I have issues with this on several levels. Mainly, there are other meditation practices that are effective (evidence-based) and one can learn and practice without the TM dogma. I definitely believe meditation teachers are helpful and deserve to be compensated (I am one) but I feel the reader would have been better served with more options especially considering the authors’ assertion of the importance of a meditation practice.
August 25, 2018
This book is an easy read and shows how Ayurveda and western science have confirmed some very simple ways to effect positive change in your life, particularly as it relates to your dominant dosha. If that’s too “woo woo” the science backs up that the mind body connection is strong and meaningful and can/should be treated together. Treating one affects the other! No surprise. Going for a walk in the morning or getting better sleep will boost your mood - no surprises. Just validating as I seek ways to encourage the positive in my life.
January 14, 2023
This book explores the depression from the Ayurvedic perspective and suggest the yogic and meditation (especially the TM) approach to address the problem. There are several cases where the suggestions have proven effective. The mind-body connection is something the western medicine has yet to fully embrace. It is interesting that the concept is becoming more popular among western medicine practitioners in the west. (I do not ignore the works of Dr Deepak Chopra or Dr Lissa Rankin). This book is another example of the increasing acceptance of the concept. Indian allopathic doctors often look down upon their Ayurvedic counterpart. I do not know when they will integrate to produce a patient-centric medical system free from the clutches of corporate and pharma sector.
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November 25, 2019Ayurveda is the science of life in its crudest definition.
The book explores the concepts of Ayurveda from mind to body in a most elaborate yet concise way.
The book explores the concepts of Ayurveda from mind to body in a most elaborate yet concise way.
November 25, 2022
An interesting book with an interesting take on depression from ayurvedic model
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July 10, 2025Some good, some bad. I'm not a fan of Ayurveda.
August 1, 2010
This is a great book that gives real solutions for things that you can do to lessen depression in a non-medicinal way. It follows the path of Ayurveda and breaks down depression into 3 types (Airy, Burning or Earthy) and different things to do for each one. It doesn't treat the disease as a generalization, but instead looks at differences we have as individuals and helps to break treatment down into smaller steps.
September 16, 2009
I'm not a believer in Ayurveda, so this book, while interesting, was of no use to me.
October 13, 2009
I don't know how far I will get in this book. I'm 20 pages in, and already losing interest.
December 30, 2015
It is a great book with concrete bases and even if you not have depression or whatever, helps you to improve your lifestyle.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews