Yoga has gained immense popularity in the recent past; not only because it promises physical fitness, but also because it offers mental and spiritual benefits. This is why most yoga is synonymous with yoga therapy. Practitioners have been relieved from acute pain, heart problems, respiratory problems, diabetes, and blood pressure and more so.

However, do you know that yoga is also capable of treating mental disorders and illnesses?

Surprised?

Yoga therapy and mental health 

After studying the countless benefits of regular yoga practice, popular psychiatrists and psychologists are recommending the same for the treatment of a variety of mental disorders. Yoga has helped patients with depression, anxiety, ADHD and other mental disorders immensely. In fact, it is also known to benefit people suffering with schizophrenia. Of course, it is not the first line of treatment. However, it has proven to benefit these patients during the recovery stage after medical treatment. What’s more, it is recommended by experts in the international guidelines for treating schizophrenia.

Yoga therapy, when practiced under the supervision of a qualified and experienced instructor has proven to bring calm and peace in the mind, which is the ultimate cure for most mental disorders.

Science and Yoga

The benefits are scientifically proven.

Studies reveal that certain regions of the brain are preserved in people practicing meditation for years, as against those who do not. Meditation is an important ingredient of yoga.

Yoga therapy lowers the cortisol levels in the brain; an imbalance of which can harm the brain. It also enhances the production of a certain protein in the blood, which not only repairs, but also protects the brain from damage. What’s more, chanting the magical OM is known to calm down certain regions in the brain. Reduced activity in the brain promotes emotional stability during challenging times. It also ensures significant cognitive development in the elderly. Certain regions in the brain, especially those associated with memory are known to shrink with age, and therefore, restricts elders from carrying out many day to day activities comfortably. Regular yoga practice has shown an increase in these regions, as against decline. Even the elderly benefit significantly from regular yoga practice. So, isn’t yoga truly yoga therapy?

The next question that commonly pops up is the type of yoga that has therapeutic benefits and should therefore be practiced.

Yoga Style

All yoga styles are more or less therapeutic in nature. However, the style of yoga most beneficial depends on the unique needs and requirements of the student practicing it.

In case of mental disorders, the yoga styles known to offer maximum benefits are:

Jnana Yoga: It includes psycho education and is focused on understanding the patient’s problem and suggesting the right mode of action for the patient and the family.

Bhakti Yoga: The crux here is belief and faith. It rests on psychotherapy. Students benefit from the belief in their instructor.

Karma Yoga: It works on the principle of engaging students in constructive activities in a bid to motivate them.

Raja Yoga: This includes appropriate yoga asanas and meditation to benefit patients.

So, yoga therapy is a treat for patients with mental illnesses.