Prescribing Yoga for Mental Wellness: Need for a Nuanced Approach.

Yoga, a 5000-year-old practice from India, is gaining popularity as a lifestyle intervention for psychiatric illnesses. It includes physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation. Research suggests that yoga has benefits for mental wellness in both healthy individuals and those with mental illness. It has been shown to improve attention, cognitive skills, and quality of life in patients with schizophrenia. Yoga also has positive effects on individuals with cancer, depression, anxiety, and neurodegenerative diseases. However, it is important to practice yoga under the guidance of qualified instructors to avoid adverse effects. Further research is needed to fully understand the therapeutic potential of yoga for mental disorders. [Extracted from the article]