Yoga's Healing Power

One of the main elements that causes illness is stress. Being responsible for a huge number of sicknesses, stress, which develops in our minds, can be reduced through frequent practice of yoga techniques. Here are a few problems related to too much stress: 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 sympathetic nervous system can trigger stress. The reaction to various outside stimuli is known as the "fight or flight" response -faced with a disturbing element, the mind and body prepare for one of the two options. Physically, this is shows up as an instantaneous heart-rate increase, with an increase in blood pressure. Breathing becomes shallow, and muscles tense up in anticipation of the action. Internally, this response reduces blood flow to internal organs, and nonessential processes (such as digestion and elimination) are shut down. This increased awareness and readiness is beneficial, preparing our body to react to the outside stimuli. Both in a "fight" and in a "flight" situation, the body is ready to act physically and mentally. But long-term exposure to similar stress is a problem. The "fight or flight" response is meant to help only for short periods of time. The longer it is activated, the fewer resources the body will have to function properly.

A natural countermeasure for the "fight or flight" response exists. It is the parasympathetic nervous system, or the "relaxation response." It automatically activates when stress stimuli are gone, but it is also possible to enhance it by breathing deeply and relaxing. By increasing the length of this process, we allow the body to recover more quickly and let it efficiently eliminate the harmful effects of stress.

Yoga highlights the idea that breathing and relaxation techniques can reduce the harmful effects of stress on your body. A decreased "fight or flight" response can also be achieved by seeing adverse factors as challenges rather than threats. Such an approach lets you focus on finding a solution rather than stimulating an abrupt response. You also act instead of reacting, take initiative rather than respond to outside factors.

The positive effects of yoga during a healing process are proven. However, these techniques should be used only as a support. Healing shouldn't rely solely on them. The best results are achieved by combining yoga with traditional and modern medicine and by addressing problems both from mental and physical points of view.