Did You Know Yoga Has Great Healing Powers
August 19th, 2008There are quite a few medical conditions that can be improved by practicing yoga. It can be used to lessen the damage caused by infertility, lung disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, insomnia, cancer, high blood pressure, and joint pain. The utility of yoga techniques are well recognized not only by the yoga believers but also by medical fraternity.
One of the biggest causes of any disease is stress. Being responsible for a large number of sicknesses, this item, which we develop in our minds, can be lessened through a proper practice of yoga techniques. Here are just some of the problems that are related to an over active stress response - depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, some types of diabetes mellitus, cardio-vascular disease, several autoimmune diseases, irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, reproductive problems, and an aggravated suppression of the immune system.
Stress is initiated by reaction of the sympathetic nervous system in our body. This response to several external stimuli is also known as the “fight or flight” response - the mind and body, sensing a danger or disturbance, react in a peculiar way. In terms of body system, this is manifested through increase in heart beats, together with a high ascent of blood pressure. Breathing becomes shallow and the muscles tense in expectation of the following action. Internally, this response reduces the blood flow 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 is 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 on short periods of time - the longer it is activated the less resources will the body have to function normally.
This “fight or flight” response has a natural reaction in the form of “relaxation response”, also known as parasympathetic nervous system. It is automatically activated when the elements that caused the stress are gone but you can as well increase its effects by breathing deeply and relaxing your muscles. By extending this process we allow our body to recover faster, enabling it to eliminate the damage caused by stress in a prompt and efficient manner.
Yoga signifies that by using breathing and relaxation techniques you can reduce the harmful effects of stress factors on your body. A reduced “fight or flight” response can also be maintained by looking at adverse factors as challenges rather than threats. This way,your mind can focus on finding a solution, as opposed to reacting abruptly. 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 should not rely solely on them.
If you want faster and better effects, you should use yoga as an additional cure apart from your main course of healing - benefits of yoga for stress management and weight loss - health benefits of yoga.
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