Yoga! Yoga! Yoga!
In the 1978 movie “Animal House,” “Toga! Toga! Toga!” was Bluto’s call for his fraternity to throw a party. The goal? To help a younger frat member, Flounder (Stephen Furst), climb out of his depression after Bluto (John Belushi) and friends wrecked his car.
According to today’s research, however, the crew at Delta Tau Chi could have raised his spirits by doing Yoga! Yoga! Yoga!
Investigators at Columbia University and Harvard University have found that practicing yoga and coherent breathing three times a week lowers symptoms of depression in folks with major depressive disorders and that three times a week is a lot more effective than doing yoga just twice a week. Plus, the yoga was equally effective in easing symptoms of depression for folks taking antidepressants as those with depression who were not on medication.
The researcher’s study, published in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, used the practice of Iyengar yoga -- a form of hatha yoga that uses precision posture alignment and breath control -- for 12 weeks in a wellsupervised environment with a good instructor.
So, if you’re dealing with chronic depression or even just a temporary bout of the blues, seek out a local yoga center. Also, take a look at “Everyday Yoga” at www.doctoroz.com. And if you have other health concerns, always check with your doc before starting any exercise regimen.
Mehmet Oz, M.D. is host of “The Dr. Oz Show,” and Mike Roizen, M.D. is Chief Wellness Officer and Chair of Wellness Institute at Cleveland Clinic. To live your healthiest, tune in to “The Dr. Oz Show” or visit www.sharecare.com.