Yoga has attracted much attention due to its effect on depression. Yoga was examined as a therapy for depression by Lisa Uebelacker, a psychologist at Brown University, who had formally studied and practiced mindfulness meditation. She noticed that depressed individuals usually ruminate, so she assumed that they may find it hard to cope with seated meditation. She stated that she perceived Yoga to be a better act because of the movement involved. “It causes the participant to shift focus from worries and regret. It takes you to another place – a better place.” In a mini study conducted in 2007 by UCLA researchers, they examined the effect of Yoga on depressed patients who only had partial relief after using antidepressants. Following 8-week Iyengar Yoga practice (three times weekly), the patients testified that depression and anxiety were significantly decreased. A further research is currently being carried out by Uebelacker to give a clearer view.
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Modern technologies such as functional MRI screening has been used by scientists to get a glimpse of the effectiveness of yogic practices like meditation and asana on the brain. Khalsa stated that “We now understand what takes place in the brain in the course of meditation.” “Those who practice Yoga a lot experience changes in the structure of their brain that is attributed to their reduced reactivity and emotional explosivity. This happens at varying degree.”
