Yes, I have used yoga to deal with depression. There's no question for me that it helps enormously - partly because it helps with mastering the mind, partly because you're doing something good for yourself.

Seems like a no-brainer to me really - why bother looking for proof when we already know the answer?

Regular practice of yoga helps depression.

Chronic low-level depression has been a battle for me all my life. I now live in Mexico and teach almost every day, and love to practice Ashtanga for its exhileration.

Oddly enough, in my old age I've come to rely on working out with light weights every other day to ward off depression - it's an almost instant fix.

I have battled depresssion all my adult life. I practice yoga regularly but still must take antidepressant medication. The yoga is invaluable as far as instilling confidence and peace.

Yes, most definitely my mood is elevated yet balanced after at least 1 hour of practice. Every practice I focus on a different emphasis, such as, backbends, forward bends, standing postures or restoratives. The more scientific evidences is collected the more our general population can learn these basic techniques for cost effective health; maintained by self responsibility.

I use yoga to keep me even and up-lifted. It is nice to have studies like that. Us yoga people know it works. Other people have not experienced the amazing effects and need to see the studies.

Its all a physical manifestation of raising our energy!

I was on anti-depressants and mood stabilizers most of my adult life before practicing yoga a year ago. Nothing has combated my bipolar disorder better and I owe everything to yoga for my wonderful state of mind..

yoga's powerful way of releasing pent up energy is healing. from experience, it has a way of working through the layers of depression. it often takes much willpower to start a practice when i feel the blues, but i've never regretted for a minute that i did start and finish a practice.

I have been aware of having depression for almost 15 yrs. I enjoy yoga classes & haven't established a consistent home practice. But when I've done it at home, I definitely see that it provides me with positive emotions, and as mentioned before, that it feels good to do something for myself without evaluating. I just need to figure out how to be more consistent with it.

I have used yoga and cardio workouts (elliptical trainer, aerobic classes) for depression for years. My body doesn't seem to tolerate antidepressants, so I had to find a natural alternative. Yoga seems to work where cardio leaves off - when the blues get too bad, cardio workouts alone won't lift my mood and calm anxious thoughts but a regular yoga practice will. Yoga also works for insomnia.

It definitely helps, a lot, so long as the teacher creates the environment that allows the students to access their peaceful and powerful state of mind. Some 'try it' without useful results otherwise. Many people won't give it a chance - unable to believe that anything so simple works. Others get so carried away with it all that their approach puts others off becoming involved! As always balance is a the answer.

I have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and use yoga and ayurvedic food understanding to manage my illness. I have never taken medication! Meditation is my medication... and yoga is great. I know the asanas to calm me when I am manic, and the asanas to give me a perk when I am depressed.

Yoga should be mandatory in all schools. The carriculum is very educational in all aspects of their lives.. visit KarmaKids.com... and see what I'm talking about. The kids in this country need a break!!! Namaste..

Yes, absolutely yoga has helped with my depression. Everyone close to me has noticed dramatic improvements. I used to be able to track my terrible moodswings on a calendar. After the 1st month of taking yoga, there was no need for the tracking. I'm not saying I don't get my down moods but the severity and length of time are decreasing every month. I also don't react to stressful situations the unhealthy way I used to.

Depression is a commonplace event in modern times, taking on many different forms, including physical, sexual, emotional, and verbal abuse, occurring in many different contexts.