Stressed? Start meditating

Depression means you are unable to maintain the exuberance of life in you. To overcome this feeling, we use various yogic forms to restore necessary balance and vibrancy.

Twenty-seven-year-old software professional Ashish Bamzai, 27, couldn't enjoy his own wedding because at the back of his mind was the fear of losing his job.

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"Everyone around me was happy and smiling. I just couldn't fake a smile as there was tension lingering at the back of my mind. I had this fear of my company giving me the pink slip. Ever since the downturn has hit the markets, all software professionals are uncertain about their jobs and I am one of them," Bamzai said.

To get rid of this constant fear, Bamzai participated in a workshop at the Chennai-based Oneness University that deals in promoting holistic living to counter stress and it worked wonders for him. Now he has learnt to stay calm and composed even in adverse conditions.

"I can definitely see the change. I have calmed down a lot. After the workshop, I started doing meditation and yoga at home and it really works," Bamzai said.

Blame the global downturn or the hectic pace of modern life, stress and anxiety levels have shot through the roof. And in these troubled times more and more people are seeking peace and calm by opting for holistic methods such as yoga and meditation.

Talking about the workshop, Oneness University's guide Samadarshiniji said the institution tries to create an emotional shift in the person using certain tools like mediation and various activities like music and dance.

"There are ways of dealing with the emotional outburst and stress. We directly interact with every individual and try to empower them," she said.

"In a world where nothing remains for ever and everything is collapsing, we are trying to promote the idea that one needs stability in life and that comes from family and within. So if you want to change your lifestyle, pull up your socks because we can only show you the means, you need to put in the effort," she added.

Geetanjalee Agarwal, 36, is a working mother and two-and-a-half years ago she felt the stress of juggling her family and job. Today she is a mediator with Isha Foundation and the course has helped her a lot in balancing her life.

"My life was in a shambles and I couldn't balance it but after learning various kriyas (meditation techniques), my productivity has increased tremendously and I don't feel the stress. Also in terms of decision-making, there is a lot more clarity in my mind," Agarwal said.

"I perform all these kriyas at home and my stamina and energy levels have also increased. Life has changed for good," she added.

Swami Patanga from Isha Foundation says that depression and stress suck happiness from a person's mind and people find it difficult to lead a healthy lifestyle.

"Depression means you are unable to maintain the exuberance of life in you. To overcome this feeling, we use various yogic forms. If the necessary balance and vibrancy are brought about in the physical, mental and energy bodies, depression will never exist," Swami told IANS over the phone from Chennai.

Many people are choosing spiritual ways to get rid of stress and depression, hoping to find peace and calm in times of depression.