Yoga, a practice over 2,000 years old, is gaining recognition not only for its physical benefits but also for its potential to enhance mental health.
Studies have shown that yoga increases grey matter in the brain, positively influencing areas linked to memory, decision-making, and emotional regulation. By combining movement, meditation, and breathwork, yoga can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression while promoting mental resilience.
Researchers have also found that yoga can mitigate inflammation and age-related cognitive decline, suggesting it could support healthy aging and aid in conditions like Alzheimer’s. Its application as therapy is being explored for PTSD, epilepsy, chronic pain, and even cancer recovery, with promising outcomes in helping individuals manage their symptoms.
Despite its widespread appeal, practitioners stress the need for more accessible and trauma-informed yoga practices. Yoga therapy, which integrates tailored physical, breathing, and grounding techniques, has proven particularly effective for individuals with PTSD and trauma, offering a safe and empowering pathway to recovery.
While more research is needed to fully understand its mechanisms, yoga’s holistic approach to mind and body wellness continues to transform lives, blending ancient wisdom with modern science to offer a powerful tool for mental and physical health.
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PTSD is a NEUROLOGICAL disorder that is considered to be a debilitating disability.
This is due to experiencing events (disasters, tragedy, etc.) outside the range of normal parameters.
The brain experiences a re-wiring of neuro-pathways that results from the experience(s).
It cannot be cured, but there are methods of dealing with it, ie Bio-Feedback, etc.
EMDR is NOT a proven ‘cure’ for PTSD as the pathology is outside such ‘therapy’.
Yoga?
Many Veterans who have returned to Vietnam with many choosing to live there permanently alleviate their PTSD with experiencing the positive recovery (visuals) that the country has made. They also take-up martial Arts, Tai Chi, and Yoga to alleviate PTSD, but we know that it can never be ‘cured’ due to the neurological nature of the disorder (PTSD is NOT a ‘mental illness’…).
What I would like to see with yoga is being able to overcome gravity via frequency modulations via chants…
Those ‘Gurus’ seen hovering above the sidewalks and courtyards are actually sitting on the tynes of an electric forklift behind the curtain or wall.
I would like to fly without an aircraft via the technique that Magneto uses…but a Martin Jet Pack is about the only thing that will allows for something similar to occur. But…who can afford one of those?