Yoga and Its Benefits on Mental Illness

This thesis looks into the role yoga can play as an aid to treatment of mental health illnesses such as eating disorders, depression, and anxiety. This research identifies some problems associated with treating eating disorders including co-morbidity and poor insurance coverage. Using yoga as an aid to treatment may bring better access to people while also being an affordable option to reduce symptoms of mental illness. The author participated in the Ohio State University's program RECESS to offer yoga workshops that provide information and the leading through of yoga asana poses that aid in mental health. Following the RECESS program, a study took place within Ohio State's Dance Department with 22 freshman dance majors. The students were given a survey asking about general eating patterns. They were then taught a simple yoga sequence to do before one meal a day for 10 days, and they then regrouped and filled out a post survey. The results were then analyzed, suggesting that performing a simple yoga sequence prior to eating may decrease negative affects associated with eating disorders.Karen A. Bell Dance FundNo embargoAcademic Major: Danc