6/04/2014 At the Diocesan Boys’ School in Mong Kok, Hong Kong, more than 400 participants gathered to practice yoga and support the Early Psychosis Foundation (EPISO) of Hong Kong. The ‘FitMind is Attitude Mega Fund-Raising Event’ was organized by EPISO Chief Executive Ms. Joy Kok and FitMind Ambassador Kiki Lam to raise awareness for those suffering from early psychosis and their healthy counterparts. “We believe yoga is good for mental health and will eventually help to bring about positive changes for our patient's livelihood and facilitate their reintegration into society,” said Ms. Kok.

The event began with a visit from Hong Kong's Chief Secretary of Administration Carrie Lam and brought together some of Hong Kong's most renowned yoga instructors including Dickson Lau, Almen Wong, Alex Lam, and Master Yogananth Andiappan for an afternoon of charity, mental well being, and fun. Each instructor led a 20-minute sequence focusing on stretching, strengthening, balancing, and breathing.

“It was a heartwarming and touching occasion. I guess even bad weather couldn't stop those who wised to contribute to a meaningful cause,” said Ms. Kok. “Every participant had fun and the atmosphere was filled with yoga vibe. Master Yogananth's session — particularly the partnering part — was the best finalé!”

The FitMind yoga event was inspired by the research from a Hong Kong University (HKU) clinical study that examined the practice of yoga had on those suffering with symptoms of early psychosis. According to the study conducted by the Department of Psychiatry, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, HKU, “Yoga can help improve the memory, attention, depressive symptoms and other clinical symptoms of patients at early stages of psychosis. This breakthrough overcomes the limitations of medication.”

HKU Study

In 2010, HKU conducted a study of patients suffering from the early stages of psychosis. The researchers divided the participants into two groups. The first group participated in a 12-week yoga program in addition to their regular mediation; while the control group only took medication. The neurocognitive functions and clinical symptoms of all participants were evaluated before and after the experiment; they also received Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of their brains.

The results of the study demonstrated that the patients who practiced yoga had "significant improvement in long-term and short-term memory, attention and visual-motor coordination." Moreover, their general clinical symptoms and depressive symptoms had decreased. The MRI data indicated that the patients' ability to "receive and process information" had also improved.

FitMind Yoga

As a result of the study, Dr. Jessie Lin Jingxia, Post-doctoral Fellow of Department of Psychiatry, HKU and Kiki Lam developed a 23-step yoga sequence designed for early psychosis patients called, "FitMind Yoga 23-postures." The program is available on DVD, and EPISO makes yoga classes available to as many patients as possible at various locations throughout Hong Kong. They also promote Fitmind Yoga events like this one in Mong Kok to help raise awareness and reduce the stigma associated with early psychosis.

"Because of the stigma, parents and those who suffer from early psychosis try to hide it. But we know that when we identify the symptoms early enough and treat with medicine—and exercise like yoga—there is a 95% recovery rate" says Kiki Lam. "So we need to counter the stigma through education. There is no reason to be ashamed. We have a slogan, 'Youth Without Darkness,' which means don't hide it, get out and practice yoga in the sunshine."

The funds raised from the FitMind event are used to increase public awareness and further education for those suffering from the symptoms of early psychosis and their healthy counterparts. More than 15 Yogananth Andippan Community (now Andiappan Yoga Community) volunteers assisted the master teachers at the FitMind event by demonstrating poses and helping the participants with hands-on adjustments. The success of this event would not have been possible without the selfless contribution of our teacher volunteers.

For more information on EPISO, please visit: https://www.episo.org/