Rachelle  Ho  &  Allan  Turton  

           

Blu  Matter  Project    

 

 

2  Table of Contents

Page Rachelle & Allan: Start a student chapter at U of T

3 Constitution: Blu Matter U of T Chapter 7 Research board material 8 Perspectives on Mental Health presentation 9 Programming activities for 2014

10 The Interneuron article 12 Webster Fund Application

Essays

14 Rachelle Ho 18 Allan Turton

           

 

 

3  BLU MATTER PROJECT – U OF T CHAPTER

Article I Purpose and Objectives Article II Membership Article III Executive List Article IV Finances Article V Meetings Article VI Elections Article VII Amendments

Article I – Purpose and Objectives

Our group is looking to aid students who are struggling with mental wellness during their university life by providing them with coping mechanisms and support. We plan to do this through the practice of monthly yoga sessions. Research has shown that exercise has been one of such coping mechanisms. In particular, yoga has shown to be highly correlated with alleviation of depressive symptoms. We have a yoga and mental wellness workshop during which stress and anxiety is discussed in a cool and edgy way! We are partnered with Blu Matter Project (www.blumatterproject.com), a non-profit organization that works with people living with depression or bipolar disorders and provides them with yearlong memberships to practice yoga at various locations around Toronto. With our roots seated in neuroscientific research, we hope to bring the values of Blu Matter Project to U of T with a focus on YOUR mind!

Article II – Membership Membership to the group is open to all those affiliated with the University of Toronto at no cost. U of T students are permitted to run, nominate, and vote in elections and constitutional amendments. The group is open to non-U of T members. However, these members do not hold the aforementioned rights. Members must register with a designated Executive by submitting their full name and a valid email address. Any member of the club may apply for a refund within one (1) month of becoming a member. No refunds are permitted 30 days after the election periods. For recognition by the University of Toronto Students’ Union (UTSU), the group must maintain a minimum of 30 members, a total of 51% of membership are UTSU members. The group must also maintain recognition from the Office of Student Life. These requirements are subject to change and should be checked with UTSU annually to ensure qualifications are met.

Article III – Executive list The core Executive, outlined below, will be chosen through an interview process by the Blu Solutions program manager and Blu Matter Project Program Manager, or the past chapter president. President shall:

• Be responsible for the general organization and programming of the student chapter.

 

 

4  • Supervise the preparation of the budget and ensure that all grants received are used for the chapter

purposes. S/he will act as one of the two signing officers on financial transactions. • Call and proctor at least one town hall meeting per semester and monthly Executive meetings.

Vice-President shall:

• Assist the president in the general administration of Blu Solutions and • Assume the president’s responsibilities in the president’s absence. • Be responsible for organizing all elections and coordinating the activities of the chapter members.

Secretary shall:

• Aid president and vice-president in preparing the meeting agendas • Keep detailed notes and records of all meetings that correspond to the Chapter

Treasurer shall:

• Prepare budget requests to all applicable parties • Act as one of two signing officers on financial transactions and shall keep detailed records of all

financial transactions The Executive team will be elected by University of Toronto general members. Elections will take place at the end of March of every year. Candidates will be expected to make a 2 minute speech outlining their desire to run and their proposed plans for the next year. Fundraising Directors (2) shall:

• Work with university outlets and outside sources to obtain donations • Work closely with the treasurer to keep a detailed record of all donations submitted and help allocate the

resources into the budget Events Directors (2) shall:

• Plan all events • Work closely with Treasure and Fundraising Directors to plan out the budget for the every event • Keep detailed list of contacts within the university and the community for locations to host events

Volunteer Director shall:

• Recruit volunteers for each year to help with the group • Work with the events directors to organize volunteers into job duties for the events • Keep track of all volunteers and the number of hours they contributed to the group • Make certifications of volunteer hours at the end of each school year to recognize the contributions

made by volunteers

Article IV – Finances The Treasurer shall keep records of all income and expenses. The Treasurer shall present the group’s financial health at each core Executive meeting. The Executive Committee will vote on expenditures of over $100.00 by majority vote at an Executive meeting. The group’s Executive or members may not engage in activities that are essentially commercial in nature. This is not intended to preclude the collection of membership fees to cover the expenses of the group, or of charges for specific activities, programs or events, or to prohibit groups from engaging in legitimate fundraising. However, the group will not have as a major activity a function that makes it an on-campus part of a

 

 

5  commercial organization, will not provide services and goods at a profit when that profit is used for purposes other than those of the organization, and will not pay salaries to some or all of its officers.

Article V – Meetings There will be a minimum of one town hall meeting per term, which is open to the wider University of Toronto community. The president will proctor these meetings. The core Executive will hold meetings twice a month. The Executive directors and general members will hold meetings once a month. There will be a two-week notice for the date and place of these meetings. Generally they will be held within the first two weeks of each month.

Article VI – Elections Applications for core Executive positions will be available starting in February of each year. Applications can fill out the application and hand it in to any core Executive member. Interviews will take place the first week of March. All interviews will have two interviewees present, which will consist of the current president and either Blu Solutions Program Manager or Blu Matter Project Program Manager or the current vice president. Applications for Executive director positions will be available starting in March. Elections will be held for these positions at the end of March. All nominees will be expected to give a two-minute speech outlining their goals and plans for the direction of Blu Solutions. All University of Toronto students who are general members of the chapter can vote.

Article VII – Amendments Any registered University of Toronto members may propose and vote on amendments to this constitution. The Executive Committee will administer the process of having amendments discussed at general meetings. Constitutional amendments shall require a 2/3 majority to be passed at general meetings by registered University of Toronto members in attendance. The Executive Committee shall formally adopt the new constitution and submit the revised constitution to the respective University offices (i.e. The Office of Student Life, The University of Toronto Students’ Union, etc.) within two (2) weeks of its approval by general members.

Edition 1 created November 2013 By Rachelle Ho & Harshita Jagadeesh

       

 

 

6  Research board

Purpose: to education students about the current research on yoga and the brain. By Allan Turton Yoga and the thalamus. The thalamus is your brain’s center for sensory filtration. It cuts out all the unnecessary stimulation that may not be so useful to you. Interestingly, people suffering from mood and anxiety disorders have lower levels of GABA (an inhibitory neurotransmitter) in the thalamic area. As less inhibition means more stimulation, it makes sense that people feeling the blues are often called ‘sensitive’. What’s more? Yoga practice may help. A study by Streeter et al. has shown that regular yoga practice increases levels of GABA within the thalamus (an effect also seen with many anti-depressant pharmaceuticals). The effect of yoga is like that of the pill – reduced anxiety and stress. The added benefit? The treatment comes within, leading to both a healthier body and a healthier mind. Streeter et al. 2010. Effects of Yoga Versus Walking on Mood, Anxiety, and Brain GABA Levels: A Randomized Controlled MRS Study. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine16 (11): 1145-1152. Compared to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Cognitive behavioural therapy is often considered top of the line treatment – with medication or without – for people battling with emotional disorders. A study by Granath et al. has shown that the effects of Kundalini yoga – characterized by exercises that stimulate the blood flow and energy supply to the brain – are comparable to that of cognitive behavioural therapy. In this case, CBT outscores yoga in terms of mental relaxation, while Kundalini offers a greater form of physical relaxation. That being said, a yoga class with the right instructor may be a perfect blend of the two! Granath et al. 2006. Stress Management: A Randomized Study of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Yoga. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy 35(1): 3-10. Other looks at yoga Yoga therapy has been implemented for post-operative cancer patients. Those who were able to complete the program showed significant decreases in their STAI (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) anxiety scores. Reasons for program dropout should be investigated further so changes can be made to optimize adherence to the therapy. Rao et al. 2009. Anxiolytic effects of a yoga program in early breast cancer patients undergoing conventional treatment: a randomized controlled trial. Complement Ther Med 17: 1-8. Although research surrounding yoga practice lacks the double blind placebo ‘Gold Standard’ found in pharmacological trials, yoga practice tailored towards the needs of the individual seems to offer substantial relief for the stressors of the body and mind. As far as prescribed treatment goes, it is recommended that yoga practice be implemented in conjunction with pharmacological aids.

 

 

7  Perspectives on Mental Health Seminar

Purpose: to represent Blu Matter Project and the Blu Matter Project student chapter at an exercise and mental health seminar to promote the work of the organization and the programming of the student chapter. By Rachelle Ho

See Powerpoint slides

 

 

8  Programming activities for 2014

Purpose: to use knowledge gained in HMB473 to support student mental health at U of T through the practice of yoga. By Rachelle Ho and Melanie Redford Blu Matter Project’s Student Chapter at the University of Toronto believes that communication is the first step in reducing these shocking statistics by directly supporting young people living with depressive disorders. We are using yoga and mentorship as a way to start an open conversation about mental illness.

For people experiencing depressive disorders, a regular yoga practice reduces stress and anxiety, enhances brain functioning, and improves sleep quality. The chapter supports students living with fear, anxiety, and depression by providing them with monthly yoga workshops and mentorship programs. Participants and mentors will write about their lived experiences that will be actively share on our website, Tumblr, Facebook page, Twitter feed, Instagram and Pinterest. This will connect students to members of the outside community, student groups on campus and the Blu Matter Project’s management team while generating a larger conversation about the realities of student stress.

Beginning in January 2014, the student chapter will be leading the Yoga Mentorship and Workshop series. These monthly workshops will include a yoga practice that has a specific focus on physical and mental practices that may support student stress.

Leading up to each workshop, Blu Matter Project’s Student Team will select 3-5 students to take part in our mentorship program. Mentees will be selected by reviewing applications by the Student Team under the direction of the Student Chapter Program Manager. Applicants’ personal information will not be disclosed during the selection process to eliminate bias.

Selected Mentees will be paired with members of the community, student groups or campus services. They will meet weekly for a four-week period to learn specific tools that may alleviate some daily stresses. The Program Manager will introduce the Mentee and Mentor who will meet in a safe, accessible area on campus.

 

 

9  The Interneuron article

Purpose: to promote the student chapter’s programming in the latest edition of the neuroscience online magazine with neuroscience research on depression and the effects of exercise as a form of treatment. By Rachelle Ho

See online magazine Yoga is a practice that takes on many different forms. While it has half a yoga mat rolled out n the realm of the spiritual, it has the other half rolled out in the fitness world. Blu Matter Project makes the best of both halves, but it also reaches a hand into a third dimension: neuroscience. Blu Matter Project is a non-profit organization that kick started this year. It works with people ages 18-30 who are suffering from depression and/or bipolar disorders and provides them with memberships to practice yoga at various locations around Toronto. With the latest buzz from the University of Toronto showing that moderate exercise is an effective preventative measure for depressive disorders1, Blu Matter Project is spreading its wings. The name Blu Matter Project reflects its core values: wellness of the mind (“Blu”); the belief that depressive disorders matter and that brain matter can also feel blue (“Matter”); and the desire to keep building community bonds and to adapt its program to match the trends in neuroscientific research (“Project”). Blu Matter Project is often affectionately known as simply Blu Matter. In September, Blu Matter began developing a student chapter at the University of Toronto. What started as a one-semester placement in HMB473: Exercise and Mental Health for six aspiring neuroscience students quickly grew into something that put the course material in a yoga studio. Just as exercise increases the brain-derived neurotrophic factors that fuel synaptogenesis2, so did this experience with yoga and Blu Matter spark connections with people of the wider community. Blue lights lit the night on Tuesday, November 19th with stories of inspiration, dancers, poetry, and award-winning singers to celebrate the student chapter’s grand launch – coffeehouse style. In the new year, the Blu Matter chapter will begin monthly yoga workshops with an emphasis on student mental health and the alleviation of personal anxiety, as yoga has been shown to be effective at doing3. All students are welcomed to be part of these cool and edgy yoga classes. 2014 will also see the start of the Yogic Connections Mentorship Program that works towards small and tangible solutions to the little things that add to student stress. These could be issues with finances, creating schedules, eating healthy… anything that pumps the cortisol! The chapter is currently seeking out mentors – people with skills or tools that could help students struggling with mental wellness. Blu Matter is always on the move. The student chapter has plans to expand to other universities in the near future with the University of Ottawa in their sights in the next few months. To keep up to date with student blogs, research on exercise and mental health, Blu Matter news, find them on Twitter, tumblr, Facebook, or at www.blumatterproject.com. Join the Blu movement. Your blu matters. 1Mammen, G., & Faulkner, G. (2013). Physical activity and the prevention of depression: A systematic review of prospective studies. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 45(5), 649-657.

 

 

10  2Ambrogini, P., Lattanzi, D., Ciuffoli, S., Betti, M., Fanelli, M., & Cuppini, R. (2013). Physical exercise and environment exploration affect synaptogenesis in adult-generated neurons in the rat dentate gyrus: Possible role of BDNF. Brain Research, 1534, 1-12. 3Mehta, P., & Sharma, M. (2012). Evaluation of a social cognitive theory-based yoga intervention to reduce anxiety. International Quarterly of Community Health Education, 32(3), 205-217.

 

 

11  Webster Fund Application

Purpose: to receive a grant from the Dean of Students at Victoria College to cover expenses of the Coffee House and research board (all activities for the fall term)

Donated by the Estate of William Crichton Webster. Funding administered by the Office of the Dean of Students.

The amount of funds available may vary from year to year may vary according to the annual income generated by the endowment in a given year.

Terms: To be awarded to eligible students and student groups associated with Victoria University who propose a plan that supports student-run athletics and healthy living activities at Victoria.

Grants Process: Applications will be assessed twice each academic year by a committee. A proposed budget, which includes anticipated sources of revenue, is required. Funds available are limited and will be distributed based on the quality of the application and anticipated use of funds. Only those who apply through the formal application process will be considered. All recipients of funding must agree to provide a full account of all of their expenses before the end of the academic year in which the funds are received, and must submit all invoices and receipts to the Office of the Dean of Students after the completion of the performance/event. Unspent funds must be returned.

Only those applications received by one of the application deadlines (November 1 and February 1) shall be considered. Funds will be distributed on the basis of approved applications; there is no obligation for all available funds to be awarded each year.

How to Apply: Submit a proposal by November 1st for Fall-term initiatives, or by February 1st for Winter-term initatives.

http://www.vic.utoronto.ca/students/campuslife/Participation_Awards/webster.htm By Rachelle Ho & Roslyn Cheung To the Office of the Dean of Students, Blu Matter Project is a student chapter at the University of Toronto that intends to be an associate group at Victoria College. It is in partnership with Blu Matter Project, a non-profit organization that offers a new and holistic approach to those living with Depression or Bipolar Disorder. They believe that yoga allows those affected by mental illness to discover a sense of serenity and inner peace. Student chapter hopes to bring the values of Blu Matter Project to Victoria College with a focus on student mental health. This group is looking to aid students who are struggling with mental wellness during their university life by providing them with coping mechanisms and support. We plan to do this through the practice of monthly exercise sessions. Research has shown that exercise has been one of such coping mechanisms. In particular, yoga has shown to be highly correlated with alleviation of depressive symptoms. The launch event for Blu Matter Project U of T Chapter will take place on November 19th from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the Cat’s Eye. The goal of this event is to raise awareness about the importance of mental health among Victoria College students and recognize the value of exercise on mental wellness. In collaboration with VicXposure, Blu Matter Project U of T Chapter is hosting this event with hopes to reach out to more students. To accomplish this, this event will be a coffee house with live performances by U of T students. For the event, we hope to display a research board that we can bring to all our future events. Specifically, this board will

 

 

12  display the research on exercise and mental health that will be constantly updated with current research. We also intend to give away two yoga mats to encourage the students coming to the event to participate in our future yoga sessions. Fruit and vegetable platters will be served as a way of promoting good nutrition in addition to being physically active. We also plan to apply for funding from the Equity Initiatives Fund in December. However, these funds will only be available in the new term. Another of source of funding is the launch event admission cost ($3 per person). Initially, admission to this event would have been higher; however, we wanted it to be more accessible to U of T students so we have been actively looking for sponsorship from various stores around Toronto. Unfortunately, we have not received promising replies thus far. Moreover, Blu Matter Project will not be funding the student group. The Webster Fund will support our new initiative at U of T, especially in the Victoria College community. Thank you for your time and consideration. Feel free to contact us with any concerns at info@blumatterproject.com. Sincerely, Blu Matter Project Student Chapter Event: Blu Matter Project U of T Chapter Launch Event

Event/Item Requested Amount ($)

Notes

Healthy refreshments

$150 Fruit and vegetable platters Coffee and tea

2 Get-exercising-giveaways

$45 2 Everlast yoga mats

Exercise and mental health research bulletin board

$20 Cork bulletin board from Staples (18” X 24”)

TOTAL REQUESTED FOR EVENT:

$215

 

 

13  Optimizing the Blu Matter Program

Mei-Yi Rachelle Ho 998492055

Turnitin ID: 378336217 In a society where one in seven people in Canada experiencing a major depressive disorder (Public Health Agency of Canada), Blu Matter Project has rolled out its yoga mat with a program to help reduce these numbers. It has targeted people ages 18 to 30 years who have been diagnosed with either depression or bipolar disorder, or both. With yoga as its primary method of tackling this widespread issue, Blu Matter Project allows their participants to take yoga classes at various locations around Toronto. As this is a new organization, its program will be evaluated in light of the current exercise and mental health research. This paper will focus on the physical, psychological, and social effects of yoga on depression and offers strategies to optimize the yoga program. Since the majority of studies do not narrow in on this specific age group, studies that encompassed Blu Matter Project’s target group as part of their participants were used.

The Yoga Impact Yoga is a form of moderate exercise that is effective in improving the physical health of people living with depressive disorders. To evaluate yoga as a moderate exercise, Cowen and Adams (2007) investigated three types of yoga practices at the postural, breathing, and meditation portions of the yoga class. They found that heart rates of participants in an astanga yoga class met the criteria to be classified as moderate exercise for the postures portion (Cowen & Adams, 2007, Field, Diego, Hernandez-Reif, 2010). This means that the series of movements done during this type of yoga is sufficient in eliciting the same physical rewards of other moderate exercise activities, such as increased monoamine levels in the brains of depressed individuals (Alsuwaidan & McIntyre, 2009). In the brain of individuals with depression, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are correlated with anti-depressant behaviours and can be increased through the practice of yoga. When coupled with anti-depressant medications, yoga has been more effective at increasing serum BDNF levels than when the medications were taken on their own. More importantly, yoga had this effect even when individuals came off their medications (Naveen, Thirthalli, Rao, Varambally, Christoper, & Gangadhar, 2013). Similarly, yoga has been linked with the increase of gamma-amiobutyric (GABA) levels in the depressed brain, which are also associated with alleviating depressive symptoms (Streeter, et al., 2007). In fact, yoga can improve the physical health of healthy individuals as well. In a study comparing a group doing conventional exercise classes and a group doing conventional exercise and yoga classes, the latter shower a larger reduction in salivary cortisol, which correlated with their perceptions of stress reduction (Rocha, K. K. F., Ribeiro, A. M., Rocha, K. C. F., Sousa, Albuquerque, Ribeiro, S., & Silva, 2012). Moreover, when looking into changes in physique, yoga was found to increase upper body strength and flexibility and, therefore, increase overall health scores of the participants (Cowen & Adams, 2005). As numerous as these physical benefits are, the psychological and social rewards are even more so. In a couple of the studies discussed previously, the cognitive component was also assessed, along with physiological changes in the body. Using electroencephalograms and math problems, Tiffany Field and colleagues (2010) demonstrated that the combined effects of yoga and Tai chi improved the accuracy and speed at which these math computations were completed (Field, Diego, Hernandez-Reif, 2010). Likewise, recognition memory was also seen to have increased in Brazilian army men who were healthy but under the stress of army duties. This was found after six months of yoga practice during their training exercises (Rocha, K. K. F., Ribeiro, A. M., Rocha, K. C. F., Sousa, Albuquerque, Ribeiro, S., & Silva, 2012).

 

 

14  Interestingly, a group of researchers at Brown University conducted a study using a program similar to that of Blu Matter Project’s that shows yoga’s psychological benefits. Participants were suffering from depressive symptoms and were invited to an orientation session at a yoga studio. They were educated on the impact of yoga on depression and given passes to practice hatha yoga for eight weeks. Significant improvements to depression and mindfulness scores were found. The social aspect was also assessed through questionnaires that showed how the subjective experience of a class contributed to these scores (Uebelacker, et al., 2010). In a study conducted on women who had been screened for major depressive disorder, their reactivity to the social environment was highly emphasized. It was reported that the women were impacted by a barriers such as busy work schedules, and motivated by their acceptance that their mental health was in jeopardy, and the people encouraging them. The social environment was particularly salient because both the control group and the yoga group reported an increased in perceived support and decreased depression while doing their activities for this study. Their reasons for these changes varied in that the control group felt that they were taking better care of, while the yoga group felt that they had found a coping mechanism. However, both groups felt that these changes were also due to their increased connectedness with others. What made the yoga group different from the control group was the positive feedback loop of “feeling better” after yoga, which encouraged the participants to return for the next session (Kinser, P. A., Bourguignon, C., Whaley, D., Hauenstein, E. & Taylor, A. G., 2013). Although less quantitative research has been done on the social benefits of yoga practice, there is evidence that yoga builds community bonds and interpersonal relationships. This could help depressed and socially isolated individuals (Ross, Friedmann, Bevans, & Thomas, 2013).

Optimizing Blu Matter Project’s Future

Thus far, Blu Matter Project’s use of yoga should be able to positively impact the physical, psychological, and social nature of depression. However, there are ways in which the programs can be improved based on the current research. Although the literature surrounding yoga and mental health does not show a causative relationship, these suggestions may help the retention of the Blu Matter participants. One recurrent finding was the difference between the types of yoga practice and their effectiveness to serve as a treatment for depression. Since the participants of Blu Matter Project are free to choose the number of classes they attend and which classes they attend, it would be beneficial for Blu Matter Project to provide their participants with guidance as to what classes to take in order to optimize their time spent in each yoga session. Yoga breathing, for instance, has been correlated with the alleviation of stress and anxiety, as well as post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms (Brown & Gerbarg, 2005). Moreover, astanga yoga encompasses a series of poses that are a sufficient form of moderate exercise (Cowen & Adams, 2007, Field, Diego, Hernandez-Reif, 2010) and has been linked with the improvement of depressive scores (Dhananjai, Sadashiv, Tiwari, Dutt, & Kumar, 2013). Therefore, classes that encompass breathing techniques, astanga practices, or a combination of both would help the Blu Matter participants feel empowered to keep coming back to the yoga studio. Blu Matter Project is sprouting organization that would benefit from looking at the scientific literature about yoga. If yoga already has a lasting impact on the brain and the body, then Blu Matter Project should focus on retaining its participants through community-bonding activities to reinforce the social aspect. With such highly motivated people working with Blu Matter Project, there is no doubt that a community of people holding onto their eagle pose will spread their wings and take flight!

 

 

15  

Works Cited

Alsuwaidan, M. T., & McIntyre, R. S. (2009). A neurobiological rationale for exercise in the treatment of bipolar disorder. Mood and Anxiety Disorders Rounds, 1(3), 1-6.

Brown, R. P., & Gerbarg, P. l. (2005). Sudarshan kriya yogic breathing in the treatment of stress, anxiety, and depression: Part II-clinical applications and guidelines. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 11(4), 711-717.

Cowen, V. S., & Adams, T. B. (2005). Physical and perceptual benefits of yoga asana practice: results of a pilot study. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 9, 211-219.

Cowen, V. S., & Adams, T. B. (2007). Heart rate in yoga asana practice: A comparison of styles. Exercise Physiology, 11, 91-95.

Dhananjai, S., Sadashiv, Tiwari, S., Dutt, K., & Kumar, R. (2013). Reducing psychological distress and obesity through yoga practice. International Journal of Yoga, 6(1), 66-70.

Field, T., Diego, M., Hernandez-Reif, M. (2010). Tai chi/yoga effects on anxiety, heartrate, EEG and math computations. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 16, 235-238.

Kinser, P. A., Bourguignon, C., Whaley, D., Hauenstein, E., & Taylor, A. G. (2013). Feasibility, acceptability, and effects of gentle hatha yoga for women with major depression: Findings from a randomized controlled mixed-methods study. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 27(3):137-147.

Naveen, G. H., Thirthalli, J., Rao, M. G., Varambally, S., Christoper, R. & Gangadhar, B. N. (2013). Positive therapeutic and neurotropic effects of yoga in depression: A comparative study. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 55(3), 400-404.

Public Health Agency of Canada (updated October 2013). What is depression? Retrieved November 20, 2013, from http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/cd-mc/mi-mm/depression-eng.php.

Rocha, K. K. F., Ribeiro, A. M., Rocha, K. C. F., Sousa, M. B. C., Albuquerque, F. S., Ribeiro, S., & Silva, R. H. (2012). Improvement in physiological and psychological parameters after 6 months of yoga practice. Consciousness and Cognition: An International Journal, 21(2), 843-850.

Ross, A., Friedmann, E., Bevans, M., & Thomas, S. (2013). National survey of yoga practitioners: Mental and physical health benefits. Complementary Therapies of Medicine, 21, 313-323.

Streeter, C. C., Jensen, J. E., Perlmutter, R. M., Cabral, H. J., Tian, H., Terhune, D. B., . . . Renshaw, P. F. (2007). Yoga asana sessions increase brain GABA levels: A pilot study. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 13(4), 419-426.

Uebelacker, L. A., Tremont, G., Epstein-Lubow, G., Gaudiano, B. A., Gillette, T., Kalibatseva, Z., & Miller, I. W. (2010). Open trial of vinyasa yoga for persistently depressed individuals: Evidence of feasibility and acceptability. Behavior Modification, 34(3), 247-264.