The 2023 report Yoga For Mental Health – A promising path reviews current research on mental health and yoga and shares key findings on how yoga can be effective in mitigating the impact of decline in mental health and well-being around the world.
The report shares the body, breath, mind framework, which can be used by individuals for building a daily routine that can help build better mental health.
Key highlights of the report
- Globally, mental health issues are on the rise. In the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, anxiety & depression rose by 25%
- According to the World Health Organization, mental health is a basic human right. There is more to it than the absence of mental illness
- In order to maintain good mental health, yoga presents an effective solution
- In order to outline a daily yoga practice that can help maintain good mental health, over 100 research papers and scholarly articles were reviewed
- A body, breath, mind framework has been created that can help with mental health
- You can improve your mental health by incorporating the following yoga-based practices into your daily routine. The exercises include alternate nostril breathing, humming bee breath, sun salutation, meditation, and gratitude.
- There are 7 meditation postures in yoga that can be tried during meditation. Alternatively, the practice of concentrated gazing (trataka) can also be tried for meditation.
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Number of pages: 18
Published on: 2nd Jan’23
Body, Breath, Mind Framework
Key Questions on Yoga for Mental health
Does Yoga help improve mental health?
There are several studies and scientific papers that now validate the positive impact of yoga on mental health and overall well-being. There are several studies that have tested the impact of multitude of yoga practices on mental health and well-being. The Yoga for mental health 2023 report has reviewed over 100 papers and scholarly articles to help build a framework and identify specific yoga practices for mental health.
Which type of Yoga is effective for mental health?
Yoga is a holistic practice for improving general health and well-being. Based on an analysis of scientific research, there are a few yoga practices and breathing techniques that improve mental health. The include alternate nostril breathing, humming bee breath, sun-salutation, meditation, and the practice of gratitude.
Which is better for mental health yoga or meditation?
Yoga & meditation both are good for mental health. Meditation is a part of yoga. Yoga does not only refer to yoga poses or yoga asanas. According to original texts on Yoga, it comprises of yoga asanas (poses), pranayama (control of breath), and varying forms of meditation (dhyana, dharana). Scientific studies validate positive effects of both yoga poses & meditation on mental health.
Can Yoga cure stress & anxiety?
Yoga can cure stress and anxiety. There are several scientific studies that have been referred in the Yoga for mental health report, which validate the positive effects of yoga, breathing practices, and meditation on reducing stress and anxiety. Yoga lowers stress hormone levels, produces feel-good chemicals called endorphins, and increases oxygenation of your brain. By elevating levels of the brain chemical gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), it can improve mood and decrease anxiety. Mediation also reduces activity in the limbic system—the part of the brain that regulates emotions. In stressful situations, your emotional reactivity is lessened as a result of diminished emotional response.
How yoga changes your brain?
As you practice yoga, your brain cells make new connections, and your brain structure and function change, resulting in improved cognitive skills, such as learning and memory. As you practice yoga, your brain is strengthened in areas that are integral to memory, attention, awareness, and thought. Researchers have found that yoga practitioners have thicker cerebral cortexes & hippocampus. The cerebral cortex is a region of the brain involved in information processing. The hippocampus is the region of the brain involved in learning and memory. Also, yoga counteracts the decline in memory and other cognitive abilities associated with aging.