Yoga enthusiasts rejoice: several scientific studies provided proof that it really pays off to twist yourself into a pretzel several times per week. MindBodyGreen promoted the newest study with the following:

A series of new studies on yoga and mental health saw one conclusion across the board: Practicing yoga regularly reduces symptoms of depression. The first study, conducted out of the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, looked at the effects on 23 male veterans who practiced twice per week for eight weeks. Not only did the veterans report enjoying the classes, but they saw reduced depression symptoms after two months of yoga.

While yoga isn’t a cure-all for depression, it’s a smart way to move forward to take control of your health from both a physical and psychological perspective. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, 9.5% of US adults (21 million) practiced yoga in 2016. This means that yoga is used more than mediation and massage therapy here in the United States.

How Else Can You Benefit from Yoga?

Yoga isn’t only good for relief with depression. There are a wide range of benefits for this exercise, which is designed to strengthen the body and the mind—including:

• Improved back pain: A study conducted by the Annals of Internal Medicine concluded that you may experience relief in back pain after several months of practicing yoga
• Boost in fertility: Yoga’s link to reducing stress may be linked to enhancing fertility
• Creates balance in the body: Whether you had one too many drinks last night or you’re simply looking to detox your body, yoga poses such as shoulder stand and fish can help. This is attributed to improving metabolism by affecting the thyroid gland, as well as bringing more blood flow to the body
• Beginner-friendly: Perhaps the best part about yoga is that nearly anyone can get started, since there are so many types of yoga practices. This exercise helps explore your physical and mental limits by becoming in-tune with your body.

Getting Started with Yoga: Recommended Videos

If yoga sounds like it’s the right workout type for your lifestyle, consider a few of the following workouts:

Quick Morning Yoga Routine (No experience necessary)

Yoga for Weight Loss

Yoga for Anxiety and Stress

Give yoga a few tries and take note of how it impacts your mood. Try new things, track what works, and strive to build a well-rounded and healthy lifestyle.