YOGA FOR MENTAL HEALTH

Today's society is so fast-paced and outwardly focused that it seems everyone is stressed out. Even our children have become stressed by over-scheduling, competition, and increasing pressures to produce and perform. The accumulation of these stressors has made conditions, such as anxiety and depression, almost commonplace. Recent research supports the use of yoga in the treatment of many mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. According to the April 2009 issue of the Harvard Mental Health Letter, one reason why yoga may be helpful for treating mental health issues is because of its ability to help minimize stress responses.

As a psychologist and yoga practitioner, I frequently recommend the practice of yoga to my patients (of all ages), especially for the treatment of anxiety. I have attended several workshops on the practice of yoga for the treatment of anxiety and depression, including workshops led by Yoga for Depression author and creator of Life Force Yoga, Amy Weintraub, MFA, RYT. Currently, I am completing a 200-hour yoga teacher training program, in order to more fully integrate the stress-reducing principles and techniques of yoga with current psychological treatments and concepts. In addition, I am teaming up with Registered Yoga Teacher and owner of Global Family Yoga, Mira Binzen, to offer therapeutic yoga classes for children and adolescents.

I have witnessed both personally and professionally the positive impact yoga can have on one's thoughts and moods. The acts of breathing, coordinating breath with movement, quieting one's thoughts, and practicing the ability to stay in the moment are extremely therapeutic. In addition, these are also similar to the skills taught in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, which has been well researched and found to be an extremely effective treatment for anxiety and depression.

Many people today are searching for more natural and holistic approaches to their ailments-both physical and mental. For parents concerned about putting their children on medication, the combination of yoga and psychotherapy may be an alternative option. Even for children taking medication, yoga combined with psychotherapy can help teach children the skills they will need to help manage their symptoms, either with or without medication.

For more information on the use of yoga in the treatment of mental health issues check out these resources:

The International Association of Yoga Therapy: www.sytar.org
Yoga for Depression by Amy Weintraub: www.amyweintraub.com
Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy: www.pryt.com
Harvard Mental Health Letter: www.health.harvard.edu
Yoga Journal: www.yogajournal.com

For information on developing yoga classes for children and teens with anxiety, depression, or ADHD, please call 773-882-0373 or email me at dr_donnamarinogershon@yahoo.com.

Namaste