According several studies, Yoga can:

• reduce the impact of stress
• help with anxiety and depression
• be a self-soothing technique similar to meditation, relaxation, and exercise
• improve energy

Yoga is a physical exercise that involves different body poses, breathing techniques, and meditation. The therapy may help with depression and your symptoms, such as difficulty concentrating or loss of energy.

Many people use Yoga therapy to manage:

• mental and emotional problems, such as stress, anxiety, or depression
• conditions and disorders, such as ongoing low back pain
• chronic or long-term pain
• overall health and well-being

You can find Yoga classes at fitness studios, hospitals, and local community centers. The classes can be gentle or challenging, depending on the style.

How Yoga therapy works

Yoga therapy can be very powerful in the treatment of depression. Even if Yoga isn’t your forte, the combination of meditation and physical movement provide two important elements for relieving depression. Meditation helps bring a person into the present moment and allows them to clear their minds. Controlled, focused movements also help strengthen the body-mind connection.

Breathing exercises are effective in reducing depressive symptoms, according to one several studies. You may find Yoga helpful as the exercise focuses on deep, controlled breathing.

To improve mood and relaxation

As exercise, Yoga is a natural way to increase serotonin production. Serotonin production plays a role in the treatment of depression. Serotonin is believed to play a major role in happiness. Studies also suggests people with depression have lower serotonin levels.

Yoga is also especially helpful because of its gentle, calming, and fluid nature. Each pose is flexible, so people of all levels can practice. Your instructor will emphasize breathing, concentration, and smooth movement. They’ll also encourage you to focus on positive images to calm the body and mind.

To reduce stress and anxiety

Yoga also increases your heart rate variability (HRV), or change in time between heart beats, by increasing the relaxation response over the stress response in the body. A high HRV means that your body is better at selfmonitoring or adapting, particularly to stress.

Yoga can also:

• reduce resting heart rate
• lower blood pressure
• ease breathing
• increase pain tolerance

One study found that people who were more stressed, had a lower pain tolerance.

Styles of Yoga

You may be familiar with some Yoga poses, such as standing forward bend, but different styles of Yoga vary in speed and approach.

Yoga has variety of styles, such as Vinyasa in a heated room, or aerial Yoga. Aerial Yoga is supported Yoga in the air. You do the poses in a cloth hammock. Your instructor will be able to show you how to adjust your body for poses that may be more difficult for beginners.

Yoga poses

Some Yoga asanas, or physical movements of Yoga, can help reduce certain symptoms. For example, you may want to try the dolphin, bridge, or extended puppy pose for back pain.

The corpse pose, in which you completely relax flat on your back, can help sleep issues. Lack of sleep has been linked to depression. 

Gradually tackling more challenging poses such as the supported shoulder stand or supported headstand can boost your concentration. It can also be a great way to measure improvement. 

What are the advantages and disadvantages,  of Yoga therapy?

Yoga complements traditional therapies, such as medication and psychotherapy. But it’s not meant to be a sole treatment.

Takeaway

Studies show that Yoga therapy can help with stress, anxiety, and depression. Yoga is a gentle exercise that incorporates both meditation and controlled, physical movements. The focus on deep breathing and stretching your body is effective for relieving the symptoms of depression, such as sleep troubles, pain, and a loss of energy.

No matter which style of Yoga you choose, you can adapt the poses to suit your level.