Yoga can lower depression and minimise emotional eating, several studies find

Previously linked to reducing stress, yoga could bring a slew of other health benefits
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Yoga has long been linked to a bevy of health benefits – from lowering stress levels to helping boost your metabolism - but now several new studies have found it can also lower depression levels and minimise emotional eating.

During a recent American convention, four separate studies were presented that backed up these two new findings.

For one of the studies, Lindsey Hopkins, PhD, of the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Centre studied 23 male veterans who participated in yoga classes twice per week for eight weeks.

At the end of the eight weeks, participants with elevated scores of depression had a significant reduction in depression symptoms.

Another study from Alliant International University looked at 52 women between the ages of 25 and 45. Half of these women participated in Hatha Yoga twice per week for eight weeks while the other half were wait listed as a control group.

Free and low-cost yoga in London

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All women were tested for signs of depression at the beginning of the study, then again halfway through and at the end of the course. The women who had participated in the yoga classes were found to have significantly reduced symptoms of depression at the end of the eight weeks.

Furthermore, the University released findings of a separate study using a different group of women. The women who were taking part in regular yoga classes said they were able to control disordered or emotional eating better than they could previously.

While yoga may not be the be-all and end-all to a healthy way of living, taking a class regularly or doing it at home can lead to a number of mental and physical health benefits.

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