Depression is a silent killer. It can creep up on you out of nowhere, devour all happiness and positivity, and wreak havoc on your life. I can say this more confidently than most people, as I almost lost my marriage to depression and anxiety related issues. Fortunately, I managed to fight back with the help of yoga and saved my marriage before it was too late.

Before discovering yoga, my life was toxic, even though I had everything a woman in my position could ask for - a loving husband, good friends and a decent-paying job. Still, I was not happy. I was sad and depressed and I did not know how to cope with it. Had I not discovered yoga at the right time, I am sure I would have lost everything I had.

My battle with anxiety and depression

In my case, depression and anxiety started slowly. I became less sure of my decisions. I spent less time with my family. I failed to see the bright side of anything. I felt as though everyone around me was irritating me for no reason.

Then I started having trust issues. I was anxious about what might happen instead of focusing on what was happening. I was not attuned to my partner's needs. I found it hard to pay attention to those around me. As a result, my husband and I barely talked to each other.

I completely withdrew myself and lived in a cocoon of negativity.

How I discovered yoga

It seemed everything was lost and my marriage was in tatters. It was at this point that one of my colleagues told me to try yoga. Initially, I was skeptical. My idea of yoga was people doing breathing exercises and contorting their body in impossible angles. Still, I reluctantly agreed to try it as I was desperate to save my marriage at any cost.

How yoga transformed my life

The first class was eye-opening. The people around me were able to hold their poses while I was flopping around like a fish on the yoga mat. Still, my interest was piqued. It was different from working out in the gym. I went back the next day and tried even harder to do everything correctly.

The classes usually had three sessions - asanas (body postures), pranayama (breathing exercise) and meditation. The asanas helped me release tension and negativity from my system. The breathing exercise allowed me to calm down and avoid being anxious all the time. The meditation techniques offered me a sense of calm and allowed me to focus better on things around me.

Within a few weeks, there was a noticeable change in me. I was able to eat better, sleep better, and stay active for longer periods of time. I was able to talk to my husband freely without shutting myself off. Today, my marriage is saved and I have never been happier before in my life.

The power of persistence

Of course, things did not turn around overnight. There was little improvement in the first week and there was a constant voice in my head saying that I was wasting my time. I did not, however, give in to the negative thoughts and persisted with the classes. After the first month, I could see that yoga was transforming me physically, mentally, and spiritually and turning me into a better wife, better friend, and a better person in general.

I enjoyed yoga so much that I wanted to keep challenging my body and mind. I enrolled in a yoga teacher training in India. Why not deepen my practice at the birth place of yoga?

Teacher training allowed me to learn even more about myself, but now I have the skills to teach others about yoga. It brings me joy to help others find happiness in their yoga practice. I love watching others undergo a transformation much like I did.

Yoga lowers your heart rate, regulates your blood pressure and allows you to deal with the stress of day-to-day life in a healthy manner. It improves your mood and instills a sense of positivity in you. It allows you to take charge of your life and improves your overall attitude towards life. I can say that taking yoga classes is one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life. My husband thinks so too, apart from marrying him of course!