Understanding the Need for Mental Health Awareness in Yoga

Many individuals practice yoga primarily for its mental health benefits, with a significant percentage citing stress, anxiety, and depression as reasons for participation. Despite this, most yoga teachers lack formal training in mental health, which creates a gap in effectively supporting students facing these challenges. It is crucial for yoga instructors to gain knowledge in both Western psychology and yoga psychology to adequately comprehend the mental health issues their students may experience. By equipping teachers with this understanding, they can create a more supportive environment that acknowledges and caters to the mental health needs of practitioners.