More and More People are Discovering Discover Yoga's Healing Power

There are several medical conditions that can be improved by practicing yoga.

It can be used to reduce the negative effects of infertility, high blood pressure, lung disease, Parkinson's disease, cancer, multiple sclerosis, insomnia, and joint pain. The beneficial effects of yoga exercises are well documented not only by the yoga community but also by medical doctors.

One of the main elements that can lead to an illness is stress. Being responsible for a huge number of sicknesses, this item, which we develop in our minds, can be reduced through a good usage of yoga techniques. Here are just a few of the problems that are related to an over active stress response: depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, reproductive problems, some types of diabetes mellitus, cardio-vascular disease, several autoimmune diseases, and an aggravated suppression of the immune system.

The response of the sympathetic nervous system can trigger stress in our metabolism. The reaction to various outside stimuli is also known as the "fight or flight" response. This is when the mind and body, faced with an endangering or disturbing element, prepare for one of the two options. Physically, this is manifested through an immediate heart rate increase, together with a high ascent of blood pressure. Breathing gets shallow and the whole body tense in anticipation to the following action. Internally, this response reduces the circulation of blood to internal organs and processes that are not essential in that particular moment (such as digestion and elimination) are shut down. This state of increased awareness and readiness can be beneficial on a short term, preparing our body to react to the outside interventions and stimuli. Both in a "fight" and in a "flight" situation, the body is physically and mentally prepared to act. The problem arises when long-term exposure to similar stress takes place. This "fight or flight" response is only meant to help us for short periods at a time. However, the longer it is activated the less resources will the body have to function normally. Beign in a constant state of "fight or flight" is thus not good for your long term health. 

There is a natural countermeasure for the "fight or flight" response. It is called the parasympathetic nervous system or the "relaxation response." It is automatically activated when the things that caused the stress are gone but it is also possible to increase its effects by breathing deeply and relaxing your muscles and whole body. By increasing the length of this process we allow our body to recover faster, enabling it to significantly reduce the harmful effects of stress in a prompt and efficient manner.

 

Random Yoga Fact: The practice of yoga came to the west back in 1893 when one of India’s celebrated gurus, Swami Vivekananda, was welcomed at the World Fair in Chicago. He is now known for having sparked the West’s interest in yoga.

Yoga highlights the thought that by using breathing and relaxation techniques you can eliminate the harmful effects of stress factors on your body. A lessened "fight or flight" response can also be achieved by looking at adverse factors as challenges rather than threats. This approach allows your mind to focus on finding a solution, rather than creating a sudden and rash response. Another concept employed by this technique is that of acting versus reacting, of taking initiative versus responding to outside factors.

The positive effects of yoga during a healing process are undeniable. However, these techniques should only be used as a form of support and the healing shouldn’t rely solely on them. The best results are achieved by combining yoga with traditional and modern medicine and by addressing a problem both from a mental and physical point of view.