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Health & Fitness

Mental Health Conditions and the Integration of Yoga

Using scientific research, Ashley Burns shares how yoga, along with other physical activities, can help improve conditions such as depression, anxiety and post traumatic stress disorder.

This week’s blog was written by Ashley Burns. Ashley is a writer from Florida, who practices yoga from time-to-time and who enjoys blogging about health-related issues. Using scientific research, she shares how yoga, along with other physical activities, can help improve conditions such as depression, anxiety and post  traumatic stress disorder. When asked why spreading the word about holistic healing was important to her, Burns replied, "As humans we tend to become distracted by unnecessary things. True happiness can be achieved by establishing a pure and simple connection with ourselves and nature. Yoga is one means of achieving this feeling."

Yoga poses paired with breathing techniques calm the mind. I once read, “If you control the breath, you control the mind.” Ashley’s research validates this; that yoga is more than a discipline or wellness program. Yoga is a way of life.  Enjoy the article and until week, Namaste.

~ Ginger

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Mental Health Conditions and the Integration of Yoga

Find out what's happening in Burlingtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The most common way medical professionals treat mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety disorders, is through medication and forms of psychotherapy. These methods work to different degrees for patients. According to a Harvard Mental Health Letter, yoga is a complementary and alternative method that hasn’t been studied as often as other methods. With its physical postures and relaxing breathing techniques, yoga therapy is a low-risk approach to improving and treating mental health. Preliminary studies show that yoga therapy is effective when integrated into the treatment of anxiety disorders and
depression.

A set of studies involving yoga for both anxiety disorders and depression reveal that it can reduce stress responses like high heart rate, blood pressure and respiration levels in the same way exercise and relaxation techniques do. Yoga therapy has shown promising results when studied in connection with symptoms of anxiety disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The National Institute for Mental Health reports that PTSD can cause unwanted flashbacks or nightmares, and a feeling of constant fear or danger. PTSD symptoms may also include depression, anxiety, insomnia, irritability and more.

Yoga therapy was found to reduce symptoms of combat stress in a study of a group of United States active duty military personnel deployed in Iraq, according to a Huffington Post article. Thirty-five United States Air Force and army personnel participated in nine sessions of the “Yoga Warrior method,” which includes hatha yoga and sensory-based occupational therapy techniques. Another group of 35 personnel in the study did not receive any therapy. The trial tested emotional responses and the participants kept journals. At the end of the study, the group assigned yoga therapy reported sleep improvement, increased feelings of relaxation and reduced anger. Today, yoga therapy is widely regarded as a valid option for treating military personnel and veterans.

Controlled breathing is a big part of yoga, and this can ease depression symptoms. A 2005 study examined 24 women with stated emotional distress did yoga two times a week for three months. Another group of women in a control group did not engage in yoga or any other intervention. The women in the yoga group reported improvements in perceived stress, depression, anxiety, energy, fatigue and well-being, and also resolved issues of physical pain and insomnia more often than the control group at the conclusion of the study.

Yoga therapy has earned respect as a beneficial activity for people who experience depression or anxiety. In a few descriptive preliminary studies, yoga therapy improved the symptoms and well-being of the participants who reported they had symptoms of emotional distress or PTSD. Yoga therapy is a low-risk option for its participants, so malpractice or side effects aren’t concerns. Yoga practice has also improved the quality of life for people recovering from breast cancer and patients with epilepsy.

 

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