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Discover Yoga's Healing Power
by: Gavin Dye
There are several medical conditions that can be improved by practicing
yoga. It can be used to lessen the negative effects of infertility,
lung disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, insomnia,
cancer, high blood pressure, and joint pain. The beneficial effects
of yoga practices are well recognized not only by the yoga community
but also by medical doctors.
One of the main elements that 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 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.
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 – the
mind and body, faced with an endangering or disturbing element,
prepare for one of the two options. Physically, this is manifested
through an instantaneous heart rate increase, together with a high
ascent of blood pressure. Breathing gets shallow and the muscles
tense in anticipation to 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.
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 elements that caused the stress are gone but it is also
possible to increase its effects by breathing deeply and relaxing
your muscles. By increasing the length of this process we allow
our body to recover faster, enabling it to eliminate the harmful
effects of stress in a prompt and efficient manner.
Yoga highlights the idea that by using breathing and relaxation
techniques you can reduce 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 an abrupt 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.
About the author:
Gavin Dye is the author and webmaster at http://www.yoga-supplies-4u.comwhere
you can find out more about the health benefits of Yoga, and information
on how to start practising Yoga
Article
provided by www.massagelotion.net
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