Yoga and Mental Health

For me, one of the most effective ways I find myself taking time to focus on my own mental health is by taking a yoga class. As a college student, I feel like between my professors needing to chill out and my own procrastination, I can barely breathe. I get daily reminders on my apple watch to breathe that I may or may not ignore half of the time. I am constantly being told to take time for myself. But, really, who has the time?

The answer is I do. You do. Everyone does. Everyone should MAKE time to be mindful, whether it be meditation, yoga, biking, hiking, or just breathing. For me, signing up for a yoga class is an easy way to hold myself accountable to attend, because I definitely do not have money to throw away on a class. My favorite place to go is Yoga Flow studio, linked below, on Walnut St. in Shadyside, which is easily accessible by bus if you live on campus or do not own a vehicle. They also have great deals on student discount classes!

Yoga has largely been ignored in the medical field as a solution to treating depression and anxiety up until recently. There are many benefits found in yoga’s ability to increase the body’s natural defense on battling anxiety along with how we deal with stress. It is a physical treatment for the way our mind is hurting. An article published by Harvard Medical School Health Publishing speaks to some of these physiological benefits of yoga and mentions a specific study done by the University of Utah using MRIs to establish patterns in brain activity linking yoga practice to effective responsiveness to stress.

For me, I find yoga a perfect response to everyday stressors and just a nice session to relax and be mindful with my body is enough to get me through the work week. I often find myself looking forward to the weekends not just to relax, but for my yoga classes.

They are sure to state at the conclusion of the article that it’s important to remember the physical strain yoga may have on the body. If you are not as physically able as others, consult a doctor before adding yoga to your exercise regimen. They say “The evidence is growing that yoga practice is a relatively low-risk, high-yield approach to improving overall health.” The hyper-linked article on yoga practice also provides some specifics courtesy of Harvard Medical School on the benefits of yoga for you to explore as well.

Namaste, Friends!