Yoga may help to reduce symptoms of depression: Study

ISLAMABAD, (Pakistan Point News - APP - 12th Dec, 2017 ) :If someone suffering from depression, yoga can complement traditional therapies and help reduce the symptoms of the mental disorder, researchers claim.

"Yoga has become increasingly popular in the West, and many new yoga practitioners cite stress-reduction and other mental health concerns as their Primary reason for practicing," said Lindsey Hopkins from the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Centre in the US.

In the study, the team of researchers explored the acceptability and antidepressant effects of "Hatha Yoga" and "Bikram Yoga" -- also known as heated yoga -- in a series of experiments.

While 23 males participated in the twice-weekly "Hatha Yoga" classes for eight weeks, 52 women participated in the "Bikram Yoga" classes for eight weeks, Medical Xpress reported.

Both the methods led to a significant reduction in depression symptoms as well as improved quality of life, optimism, and cognitive and physical functioning."The more the participants attended yoga classes, the lower their depressive symptoms at the end of the study showed," said Maren Nyer, PhD from the Massachusetts General Hospital.