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yoga could help depression People who suffer from depression should take yoga and deep breathing classes at least twice weekly to receive a significant reduction in their symptoms, according to research conducted by Boston University in the USA. According to the study, both yoga has the groups had significant decreases advantages in their depressive symptoms of avoiding and no significant differences in additional compliance. Although a greater drug side number of subjects in the high effects and drug dose group had less depressive interactions. The findings, which appear in attending twice weekly classes “While most the Journal of Alternative and (plus home practice) may still be pharmacologic treatment Complementary Medicine, provide an effective way to gain the mood for depression target preliminary support for the use benefits from the intervention. monoamine systems, of yoga-based interventions as such as serotonin, an alternative or supplement to “This study supports the use of dopamine and pharmacologic treatments for a yoga and coherent breathing norepinephrine, this intervention depression. intervention in major depressive targets the parasympathetic and symptoms, the researchers believe disorder in people who are not gamma aminobutyric acid system As part of the study, individuals with on antidepressants and in those and provides a new avenue for major depressive disorder (MDD) who have been on a stable dose treatment.” were allocated to either a high-dose of antidepressants and have group, which participated in three not achieved a resolution of Major depressive disorder (MDD) 90-minute classes a week along their symptoms,” said associate is common, recurrent, chronic with home practice, or the low dose professor of psychiatry and and disabling. Due in part to its group, which did two 90-minute neurology, Dr Chris Streeter. prevalence, depression is globally responsible for more years lost to classes a week, plus home practice. According to Dr Streeter, compared disability than any other disease. with mood altering medications, i vi ties g i l i b a r u Focussing on yo n g yo e f u th ree o so m t o d ar Achieve your best with Afford! For over 60 years, Afford has been providing the highest quality service, facilities, care and support for people with disability in local communities. We offer a wide range of services including Employment Supports, Social & Community Participation, Recreation & Leisure Activities (Club Afford), Supported Holidays (Afford Getaways), Supported Daily Living, Carer Support, Work Readiness Training, Supported Accommodation and Respite for people with disability. Let us help you to achieve your goals! For more information about Afford call 1300 233 673 or visit www.afford.com.au linkonline.com.au breakthroughs 61