Yoga for Mental Health

The term “yoga” simply means “union.” Union of mind, body and spirit. Yoga has a powerful way to deepen spiritual connections and can truly draw us closer to God. And the amazing thing about yoga is that it is SO much more than a physical practice and it is available to ANYONE. Yoga for Mental Health helps with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, trauma and other psychiatric disorders.

Yoga for Children and Adults

Incorporating yoga and its principles into daily life makes it a powerful tool for both children and adults. It can help develop resiliency, teach coping skills, and it can assist children with ADHD by teaching them methods of concentration and focus. Yoga is also a beneficial tool for dealing with trauma, PTSD, stress and anxiety, and eating disorders. Yoga is a holistic wellness strategy and it can benefit participants in the present moment and throughout life.

yoga for mental health

Just 30 minutes of physical postures, positive affirmations, and focusing on breathing can completely change your mood, your mindset, and your future. By letting go of whatever negative energy is pulling you toward anxiety, you can shift your perception of what is typically feeling out of control, to instead stay present and positive in the moment.

Yoga, visualization, meditation and focusing on breathing can help with letting go of worry and fear. The overall practice of yoga can elicit the relaxation response, allowing both the body and mind to gain a sense of calm and ease.

Yoga for Anxiety and Stress can help quiet the mind, alleviating the worries and stress that plague our day-to-day lives by utilizing breathing exercises, physical postures, meditation, and guided imagery.

What therapeutic yoga can help with:

  • Addictions (both process & substance)
  • Anxiety
  • Body image issues
  • Compulsive disorders
  • Depression
  • Eating disorders
  • Gastrointestinal issues
  • Grief & loss
  • Insomnia
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder
  • Panic attacks
  • Performance anxiety
  • Social anxiety

Benefits of yoga for children and teens:

Children aged 7-17 navigate difficult life changes, such as divorce, death in the family, homelessness, and other major family issues.

  • Yoga helps children and teens deal with stress and anxiety, and also develop life skills
  • Yoga helps children and teens develop resiliency by teaching coping skills for stress, anxiety and negative life situations
  • Children and teens with ADHD can learn methods of concentration and focus
  • Yoga helps children and teens with emotional regulation, social skills, and learning delayed gratification
  • Yoga helps children and teens become less stressed, anxious and even perform better on exams 

How yoga therapy is different from going to a studio class:

  • Non-intimidating practice (ie. you don’t have to be “good” at yoga) – Dr. Madeson designs your session with specific consideration of your history, physical limitations, and current emotional state
  • Receive necessary individualized attention from a licensed professional counselor and teacher who is sensitive and aware of triggers and knows what you need
  • Build acceptance, mindfulness skills, patience, distress tolerance, and self-compassion
  • Create a felt sense of safety and comfort, so you can trust yourself, others, and live life more at ease
  • Improve your body image and helps to reconnect to your body in a positive way
  • Alter your nervous system to reduce anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms
  • Allow for healing and relief when talking about current problems or past experiences is too overwhelming
  • Improve your overall wellness (emotional, mental, and physical)