Spiritual practice in mental health: a focus on yoga

Abstract

Depression in the global population continues to have a negative impact on the health of individuals. Data shows there is an increase in the use of anti-depressant pharmaceuticals for treating depression in particular for underserved and at-risk populations. This paper supports the practice of yoga as a form of treatment for depression. The authors evaluates current systemic research and randomized clinical trial studies that support the efficacy of healing benefits of yoga and their positive impact on decreasing depression. The authors also address the potential mechanism that can explain the observed benefits of yoga in relationship to depression.