Yoga for Mental Health Disorders

Abstract

This chapter is divided into four subsections: the first section of the chapter provides an update on current evidence for yoga therapy in common mental health disorders, the second section provides brief overview on neurophysiological abnormalities in psychiatric disorders and their relationship with psychological stress, the third section deals with summary of evidence for neurophysiological effects of yoga in mental health disorders, and the last section emphasizes on practical aspects of yoga therapy with details of clinically useful yoga practices for common mental health disorders. The mental health disorders covered in this chapter include depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, child and adolescent psychiatric disorders, substance use disorders, and geriatric psychiatric disorders.

“To Be Finally at Peace with Myself”: A Qualitative Study Reflecting Experiences of the Meditation-Based Lifestyle Modification Program in Mild-to-Moderate Depression

“…Recent research has shown the positive impact of yoga in the treatment of different mental health conditions. 1,2 In particular, the treatment of depression has been investigated through a larger amount of quantitative and qualitative analyses in different populations. 3,4 Commonly, yoga practices in mental health care focus on physical exercises, breathing techniques, and to some extent meditation techniques.…”