Yoga, Mental Health, and What Science Has to Say

Depression is one of the most common mental health challenges in the world.

This research workshop will focus on depressive mood and ways that yoga has been scientifically shown to support mental health. Amy will discuss her experience with yoga and depression and some of the science behind it all with Dr. Sat Bir Singh Khalsa. Dr. Khalsa reviews the scientific rationale related to yoga and depressive mood. Amy shares the yogic practices that saved her life, and can support folks who are experiencing depressive mood.

October is National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month—a time to increase awareness of and conversations around mental health. This month, Yoga Alliance is launching a new series of online workshops focusing on mental health, including an in-depth look at depression, suicide prevention, and recovery from substance use disorders.

In these sessions, Yoga Alliance brings together those who are studying and collecting data on the impact of practicing yoga with those who are applying the practice daily. If you’re interested to know how research backs what we all know about how the practice of yoga can change lives, this series is for you.

Everyone is welcome to attend, especially those wanting to learn more about the practice and science of yoga. Yoga teachers of all levels are encouraged to attend. Mark your calendars for the following event and stay tuned for more in this series.

This program is free and open to everyone; it may be of specific interest to yoga teachers, bodyworkers, and healthcare professionals.

Sat Bir S. Khalsa, PhD

Sat Bir S. Khalsa, PhD, is assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, director of yoga research for Yoga Alliance, director of research for the Kundalini Research Institute, editor-in-chief of the International Journal of Yoga Therapy, and coordinator of the annual Symposium on Yoga Research.

His published research on yoga for mental health in public schools and the workplace—for insomnia, trauma, chronic stress and anxiety disorders—and his roles as medical editor of the Harvard Medical School Special Report: An Introduction to Yoga and chief editor of the medical textbook The Principles and Practice of Yoga in Health Care have established him as a world-renowned yoga researcher, collaborator, author, and speaker.

Amy Weintraub, MFA, ERYT-500, C-IAYT, YACEP