Mental Health Awareness Week 2024 - Daily Blog

The Benefits of Yoga on Wellbeing

During the first year of my clinical training, I was diagnosed with Colitis which is swelling of the large intestine, and this can lead to going to the toilet multiple times a day, experiencing fatigue and high levels of anxiety.  Flare ups can often happen during or after stressful life events such as buying a house or starting a new job. During the last year or so, I have been practicing Yoga more regularly when at times I have been too fatigued to exercise in other ways which I have previously enjoyed.

The term Yoga derived from the Sanskrit root ‘Yuj’ which means ‘to connect’ or ‘to unite.’ Practicing Yoga is all about connecting to the mind and body, and includes physical movement practice, meditation & breathing practice, and finally spiritual practice. It is a way of living that involves awareness and living with intention.

So, what does this mean for me during Dclin training? First of all, I attend physical Yoga practice once a week. This means practicing various yoga poses, a compassionate meditation and poetry reading at the end of class. My yoga teacher is kind, compassionate and caring, often telling people to ‘go at your own pace’ ‘take rests when you need’ and ‘practice gratitude to features of yourself and those you love.’

During the last year, I feel my relationship with exercise now includes to look after my body, rest when needed, and slowdown from the relentless demands of life. Connecting with loved ones regularly and being kind. Often when I find myself in a ‘I’m not good enough’ or ‘I don’t have enough time’ or ‘I should prioritise work,’ I continue to find it easier to acknowledge this and slow down and think ‘what does my soul need?’ Because the work can wait, and you are the most important thing in this world. I hope this short entry gives you another way of relating to yourself, others, and the world around you, and to remember to be kind to yourself. Remember that you are already good enough, in fact you are truly great!

Lucy Ward

Trainee Clinical Psychologist

University of Liverpool