Dubai yoga centre claims it can ‘cure depression in 10 days’

An advertisement for the centre on Dubai’s Sheikh Zayed Road states, “Beat depression, migraine, stress in only 10 days with no medicines. Join rhythm of life”.

Sanjeev Krishna, founder and director of Sanjeev Krishna Yoga (SKY), set up the centre in Dubai in 2003 and offers classes for individuals, families, educational institutions, universities and corporates. He said the ad was paid for by one of his students, who Krishna helped to beat depression.

Speaking to Arabian Business, Krishna said, “I didn’t put this billboard. It was put by one of my students who had tried many things and nothing worked. So once he came and he got the benefit [of yoga], he said everyone should know that it’s possible to get the benefit. So he put the billboard for me. I didn’t spend a single cent on that.”

The founder said yoga goes beyond physical benefits as it teaches individuals how to manage their thoughts, therefore helping to cure depression.

“If you observe depression, it’s something related to the mind. [It happens] when a mind is disturbed, and especially that people who get depressed are people who are really smart individuals. We generally have a concept that yoga is mostly physical – stretching, a little breathing, a little meditation – yoga is actually the science of management, so learning how to manage our day to day life. It’s related to the mind. So how a person learns to manage his mind makes them overcome all imbalances. This is the cure for it [depression],” he said.

The ad has received mixed reactions on social media, with psychiatrist Dr. Alya Al Midfa calling it “ridiculous” Twitter.

“It is ridiculous that an ad like this gets approved to be on Sheikh Zayed Road! Although yoga is great for general wellbeing, claiming it can treat clinical depression in 10 days without medications or therapy is not only unscientific but also laughable!” she said in a tweet.

It is ridiculous that an ad like this gets approved to be on Sheikh Zayed Road! Although yoga is great for general well-being, claiming it can treat clinical depression in 10 days without medications or therapy is not only unscientific but also laughable! @mohapuae pic.twitter.com/KKZR6AWKJE

— Dr. Alya Al Midfa (@DrAlMidfa) August 3, 2019

Another user, aesthetic gynecologist Dr. Alia Al Qassimi tweeted, “Unbelievable!! How did this pass at a time all efforts at all levels are directed to raise #awareness on #mentalhealth and the history of this #stigma”

Unbelievable!! How did this pass at a time all efforts at all levels are directed to raise #awareness on #mentalhealth and the history of this #stigma ?!?!?@Albanna_MD @DHA_Dubai #uae

— د. علياء القاسمي (@DrAliaAlQassimi) August 3, 2019

However other users validated Krishna’s method and confirmed that it helped them cure their depression.

“For this particular course and particular case I’m a living example for this and I can tell you it’s 100% true and efficient. I had an accident and got DVT deep veins thrombosis and 10 days were enough to change my life, get me out of medicine by my [doctor’s] approval,” one user said.

For this particular course and particular case I’m a living example for this and I can tell u it’s 100% true and efficient. I had an accident and got DVT deep veins thrombosis and 10 days were enough to change my life get me out of medicine by my dr approval plus

— Rihab Abou Zaki (@rihabaz) August 5, 2019

Another Twitter users said, “My depression and stress got relief coz of yoga without medicines. Yoga has its own benefits mainly for the mentioned issues and it has been [used] widely and practiced daily. Maybe 10 days is too short but it gives immense relief”.

The Ministry of Health and Prevention said on Twitter that the ad “is not licensed by the Ministry of Health and Prevention” and that it will “take our action [regarding] this advertisement”. The ministry was not available for a comment at the time this article was published.

When asked whether he had a message for those criticising his ad, Krishna said, “I just have to tell them, come and see. It would be better for them to come and interact so they know exactly what it is. There is one lady from Abu Dhabi, she came with her mother who was having a paralytic problem and then she got over it in just a few days.

My mother had her half face paralyzed, and no hospital could cure her, Mr. Sanjeev did in 3 sessions. Don‘t judge without trying.

— ميـــرة (@Meera_AlMehairi) August 3, 2019

“It depends how we understand it. It’s not just saying that we can cure it. The moment you start understanding yourself, you immediately start shifting and you get the benefit out of it.”