For many years, people have practiced yoga to relieve anxiety, depression or stress. Anecdotal evidence has shown the mental health benefits of yoga, but in recent years more and more studies have backed this up with scientific studies. This begs the question; how does yoga work its magic? What is the science behind this “feel good” practice?

If we look at stress on a chemical level, we see that elevated levels of the hormone cortisol are present in those who have depression and anxiety. Cortisol is a hormone that responds to stress. When those levels are elevated, we are in “fight or flight” mode. This is necessary when the body is in danger and needs to respond quickly to avoid injury or pain. However, If we  are unable to control this we remain in “fight or flight” mode when there is no imminent danger. When this happens, we are always on our guard….as if we’re constantly being chased by a bear. Then we can suffer from depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, or chronic pain. It is essential that we find ways to adjust the hormone cortisol to avoid these negative effects of high cortisol levels.

Yoga has been shown to be effective in lowering cortisol levels and therefore decreasing stress. In studies where cortisol levels were recorded prior to, and after consistent yoga practice, subjects who practiced yoga showed significant decreases in their cortisol levels. This can be helpful in all aspects of life. Leveling out those hormone levels can help people feel better, interact and communicate better in family and work relationships, and also provides clarity of mind and better focus for complex tasks.

Although yoga is not the answer for all life’s struggles, it is a practice that helps decrease stress efficiently and without side effects or invasive treatments.

If you’d like a personalized sequence or an individual session focused on your health goals, please drop us a line at lorie@trucoremethod.com. You can also sign up for a class or private session by clicking here. For more tips on pain relief and injury prevention  sign up for our newsletter here or follow us on social media