Treating depression with yoga: What you need to know

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was written by MSc. Doctor Nguyen Thanh Long - Psychological consultant, Vinmec Times City International General Hospital
Yoga as a complementary treatment for depression can ease the mind and emotions with Yoga by focusing and controlling the breath, deep, even and slow.

1. How does Yoga Therapy work?

Yoga therapy is very effective in treating depression, the combination of meditation and the movement of the body will provide two important factors to ease depression and anxiety.
Meditation helps to bring the practitioner into a calm state, clearing the mind. Focusing on body movements strengthens the mind-body connection.
We can also calm the mind and emotions with Yoga by focusing and controlling the breath, deep, even and slow.

2. How does yoga cure depression?

Like exercise, practicing Yoga every day helps to increase the production of the hormone Serotonin. This hormone plays a role in treating depression because it promotes feelings of relaxation, calm, focus and happiness. A study has shown that people with depression often have lower serotonin levels than normal.

Yoga is also extremely useful because of its natural slowness and gentleness. Each pose is diverse, so practitioners of different levels can practice it. Often professional Yoga masters when teaching will focus more on breathing, concentration and smooth movement of the body. They will also encourage you to direct your focus to positive thoughts to soothe your mind and body.

3. Some types of Yoga you should know

Gentle Yoga: has a profound impact on the muscles and bones, this is a basic, gentle and relaxing class, so it is very suitable for beginners. Hatha Yoga: helps balance the body and mind. This class helps balance the mind and the mind. Morning Series: class in the morning gives energy to the body, reduces fatigue and increases concentration. Asna and Pranayama: learn breathing methods to detoxify, reduce stress, increase physical strength to bring about good health. Yoga Therapy: used for sports injuries and problems such as stress, high blood pressure, back and neck pain, asthma, stomach problems, constipation and old age diseases.

4. Hatha Yoga exercises to cure depression

Hatha Yoga means restoring balance between will and intellect. When absolute balance and control is reached between will and intellect, one's consciousness will be awakened. The result is the discovery of peace, contentment with reality, and clarity of mind. The purpose of life becomes clearer.

The basic focus of Hatha Yoga is to unify mind and body through movements of posture, awareness of breathing and relaxation.
Hatha Yoga's movements are practiced slowly and flexibly in combination with deep breathing and rest time between each posture, suitable for women, especially middle-aged women and office workers.
Classical exercises have a stimulating effect, increase metabolism, control emotions and balance the mind. When performed smoothly, the postures will strengthen muscles, relax tight ligaments, stimulate blood circulation, activate joints and especially make the spine flexible. Hatha Yoga includes detailed exercises from simple to advanced for self-practice.
When practicing Hatha Yoga, it is difficult to regulate and stabilize the breath. You need:
Inhale, breathe: Slow, even and deep. Exhale: Draw in your lower abdomen (navel part). Inhale: Expand your lower abdomen. Duration of a training session with both body conditioning and conditioning: About 30 minutes (morning or afternoon) for each day, and 5 or 6 days a week. When you are sick or have body problems, you should stop. Although practicing yoga is quite strenuous and may not be suitable for everyone. In particular, elderly patients or those with mobility problems may want to check with their doctor first before choosing yoga as a treatment option.
But for many patients who are facing depression, anxiety, or stress, yoga can be a way to better manage symptoms. Indeed, scientific research on Yoga proves that mental and physical health are not only close allies, but essentially equivalent. There is growing evidence that the practice of Yoga is a relatively low-risk, high-yield method for improving overall health.
Psychological Health Clinic - Vinmec Times City International General Hospital has the function of examining, consulting and outpatient treatment of psychological and mental health problems, including sleep disorders. With modern equipment, Vinmec Mental Health Clinic is currently cooperating with experienced professors and experts:
MSc. Doctor Nguyen Van Phi MSc. Doctor Pham Thanh Luan MSc. Doctor Nguyen Trong Hien Master, Doctor Nguyen Minh Quyet Master, Doctor Nguyen Thanh Long Master, Doctor Nguyen Thi Hoa Together with the implementation of psychological tests, intensive psychotherapy serving diagnosis and treatment, in order to bring the best medical examination and treatment effect.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.