Louie L – In the United States, the prevalence of depression is quite high—9% in the general population—with women, young adults, and seniors particularly vulnerable. Although the significant positive findings are promising, the studies had methodological limitations; identification of these limitations can inform future studies.

• In recent years, increasing numbers of people are turning to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for relief from depression and other mental health problems.
• One form of CAM, yoga, has been growing in popularity; this rise in popularity has, in part, been driven by interest in how this practice, with its mindfulness and meditation aspects, may decrease depression.
• This critical literature review examines six recent studies on yoga as an intervention; specifically, this review focuses on yoga styles in which the practice of yoga poses, called asanas, is the core component.