Heated yoga, specifically Bikram yoga, has been proven to have positive effects on reducing symptoms of depression. A recent trial conducted by Massachusetts General Hospital revealed that participants who practiced this form of yoga experienced significantly greater reduction in depressive symptoms compared to those who were on a waitlist.
In the trial, half of the participants were prescribed at least two 90-minute Bikram yoga sessions per week for eight weeks, while the other half were placed on a waitlist. After the eight-week period, the group that had engaged in the yoga sessions showed a notable reduction in depressive symptoms. Interestingly, even participants who did hot yoga sessions about half as often as intended still experienced a decrease in symptoms of depression.
Bikram yoga is a form of yoga that is performed in a room heated to a temperature of 105 degrees. The intense heat creates a challenging and detoxifying environment for the practitioners. Maren Nyer, the lead author of the study, suggests that the combination of yoga and heat may provide a non-medication-based approach to treating depression, as well as offering additional physical benefits.
Moving forward, researchers are keen to explore whether the heat itself is a crucial factor in the observed benefits. Possible future steps for the research could involve comparing the effects of heated yoga to non-heated yoga, to determine if the heat plays a significant role in reducing symptoms of depression.
This study opens up new avenues for treating depression, which affects millions of people worldwide. Yoga and heat-based interventions could potentially provide an alternative to medication-based approaches, offering a natural and holistic solution to combat depression. With its physical and mental health benefits, heated yoga may prove to be an effective tool in the battle against this prevalent mental health condition.
As more research is conducted in this field, it is hoped that heated yoga can become a recognized and widely recommended practice for individuals struggling with depression. Bio Prep Watch will keep you updated on any further developments in this promising area of study.
