Did you know research shows that up to 90% of doctor visits are linked to stress-related problems? That’s why yoga is such a perfect remedy. It’s the one tool that simultaneously releases stress while improving strength, balance, flexibility, and overall health. No pill has the power to improve so many areas of your life at one time.
Many of us have long linked yoga to celebrities and exercise freaks but I am here to shed more light on this beautiful concept because this mind-body practice actually has the power to help your health in dozens of different ways.
So, what is yoga?
Yoga is essentially a spiritual discipline based on an extremely subtle science that focuses on bringing harmony between mind and body. It is an art and science of healthy living.
I know some of you think you are too old for Yoga but guess what, there is no age limit for yoga. You can start off with breathing exercises and build up to something more exerting. I started looking into yoga to help me deal with depression but I found out that it encompasses so much more. All the information you need about yoga is on the internet free of charge and I urge you to look into it if you have any of the following conditions:
- Respiratory conditions, such as emphysema and chronic cough.
- Chronic pain, such as chronic low back pain and fibromyalgia, and post-recovery from surgery.
- Immune-related conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and HIV/Aids.
- Digestive conditions that are aggravated by stress, such as irritable bowel syndrome and peptic ulcer disease.
- Cardiovascular conditions, such as coronary artery disease and irregular heart rhythms. (Of course, while avoiding practices that could aggravate the condition, such as vigorous styles of asana practice, long-held standing poses, and full inversions.)
- Emotional illness, such as anxiety and depression.
- Brain conditions that lead to worsening cognitive function, such as early-stage dementia and mini-strokes as a complication of diabetes.
- Palliative care (including pain management and stress reduction) for those who do not want to use Western medical options, such as end-of-life care.
It is important to note that yoga is not a cure-all but it reduces the symptoms of the above conditions and provides the patient with a better quality of life. However, there are five categories of medical conditions that yoga alone can potentially cure;
- Musculoskeletal Conditions. These include acute minor injuries such as common sprains and strains, and a certain subset of more significant acute injuries, including back and neck pain.
- Stress-Related Headaches. For some people, yoga’s stress management tools can resolve stress headaches.
- Unhealthy Breathing Patterns. Yoga’s tools for cultivating the health of your respiratory system can reverse some abnormal breathing patterns.
- Stress-Related Digestive Problems. Stress management techniques can resolve some minor digestive problems that are caused by stress.
- Emotional Conditions. For certain people with mild forms of chronic stress, anxiety, and depression, combining asanas for emotional well-being with yoga’s stress management and equanimity tools can resolve emotional problems.
For now, our evidence on the ability of yoga to “cure” many of these conditions is anecdotal (reported by individuals, not proved in a scientific study). However, we have seen so many people benefit from using yoga to help with these conditions that until we do have studies to back us up, we recommend giving yoga a try.
In general, however, before you attempt to address a particular medical condition with yoga, I recommend that you get guidance from both an experienced yoga teacher or yoga therapist and your doctor. And keep in mind that unlike when you have been prescribed an antibiotic to cure a specific infection, you can’t use yoga for two weeks to cure these conditions and then just discard it. For many of these conditions, part of a “yoga cure” involves ongoing maintenance.
Good luck y’all.
