THE power of yoga has long been preached about for the effects it can have on your physique.
But one instructor from Christchurch said practising every day has helped her deal with a debilitating breakdown and subsequent mental health issues.
Christina McLaughlin, 49, believes her breakdown was a result of coping with her daughter Laura’s struggle back to health after she was struck down with encephalitis when she was 13.
Laura, nearly 18, was a healthy 13-year-old when she started to behave out-of-character and have seizures.
After spending 100 days at Poole Hospital often in a “psychotic” state, according to Christina, Laura was transferred to a specialist unit, run by The Children’s Trust at Tadworth, where she stayed for eight months.
It was at that point, Christina’s breakdown began.
“I had a complete collapse,” the former ballet teacher said.
“I could not do anything, I was in my bed and I just wanted to sleep the whole time. I could not even make food.”
“I pretty much broke down. Laura did not sleep at all at that time which meant I was awake day and night.
“I was juggling being there with Laura and teaching yoga to prisoners at Dorchester as well as keeping some of my work at St Anne’s.
“My breakdown was absolute. I rested with the help of my mum and friend Carol and spent a long time just sleeping. I was very ill for about eight months.”
While Christina’s condition was first diagnosed as post-traumatic stress disorder, following the breakdown she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, or manic depression.
She added: “We have got a history of depression in my family so I am very used to it and I have worked with it. I knew what was happening. The tough thing was that everything I was went away. I had to build myself again.”
After eight months her recovery began with a healthy diet and little bits of yoga, which she increased whenever she felt strong enough.
Christina manages her bipolar through holistic means as her medication “made her feel like a zombie”.
And of the disorder itself, she says: “People think those with mental illness are going to be psychotic. But it is usually just the opposite of that.
“Mine was diagnosed after a stress. And I just think that’s the way my stress manifests itself. Other people get heart issues, while some may get debilitating migraines. Mine changes the brain chemistry.”
Now Christina is looking forward to setting up two classes in Christchurch in the New Year.
She said: “I would like to have one that is just a general public class and one for people specifically struggling with mental health issues.
“Yoga is so therapeutic for people suffering with stress and depression. There are a lot of techniques that really do help with it.”
The class for the general public will start on Wednesday January 11 from 10.30am at Portfield Hall in Christchurch while the specialist class will take place on Fridays also from 10.30am. Potential participants are asked to book by contacting Christina on 01202 777622.
Anyone wanting advice on support for those living with Bipolar can contact Dave O’Loughlin on 01202 584488.
