Stress, Mindfulness,
Meditation and Resilience

Yoga for Stress Management

Working with one's tendency to dwell on specific thoughts, feelings, or emotions (e.g., rumination) and dysfunctional thought patterns can be part of practising yoga to help with depression. Mindfulness skills practised in the context of a yoga class can aid in noticing mood shifts and learning coping strategies that encourage observing, rather than judging, these mood shifts. These skills can also aid in the prevention of depression relapse by counteracting the proclivity to engage in negative thought patterns. The physical aspect of yoga may also help to counteract the inactivity and agitation associated with depression and anxiety, as well as to promote a sense of self-mastery, which is essential when working with depression.