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Advantages: How Yoga Help Cure Diseases? |
The trend of doing yoga is in full swing. Though there are no detailed studies available of the benefits of yoga, it has gained widespread popularity. Here is a brief summary of benefits of yoga.
* Asthma- The most fundamental exercise in yoga is proper breathing technique. There is some evidence that Pranayama asana can play a role in controlling attacks in asthma patients. By regulating a deep breathing pattern, it can help control the frequency of asthma attacks. However, those practitioners who are on asthma medication are advised not to stop their intake.
* Strength and flexibility- In a study group comprising of men and women in the age group of 18 to 27 years, it was found that doing yoga increased their leg strength by 28 per cent. Further, their arm strength was increased by 31 per cent. Their shoulder elevation, ankle flexibility, trunk flexion, and trunk extension increased by 155 per cent, 13 per cent, 14 per cent, and 188 per cent respectively.
* High blood pressure (hypertension)- It is believed by practitioners that yoga can help lower blood pressure by lowering levels of stress. However, this is a matter of belief. While it can not be denied that stress management and regular exercise can control blood pressure, there is no truth in it being a universal phenomenon. Further, there is no hard medical evidence as to the truth of the statement. While more research needs to be done to prove it, for the time being, it can be safely said that yoga does help in managing stress and keeping the body fit.
* Diabetes- Yoga is about exercising control, be that on the movements of the body or the lifestyle attached with it. If yoga practitioners also adhere to the diet plan recommended and make designated interventions in their lifestyle, they can lower there blood sugar. However, it can be said that such regulations can be imposed on the self even otherwise.
* Carpal tunnel syndrome- Carpal tunnel syndrome is the inflammation of the wrist. It was found that those who did yoga reported less pain in their wrist as compared to those who wore a splint. The effect may be due to improved grip strength in the yoga subjects.
* Cognition and quality of life- In a study that was carried out on a group of men and women aged 65-85 years, participants were made to attend Hatha yoga classes for six months. At the end of this term, they reported improvements in quality of life, well-being, and an abundance of energy.
* Mood- Yoga is a form of power exercise. Such exercises always have a positive impact on one’s mood. This was proved in a study when men, after just one yoga class, reported decrease in fatigue, tension, and anger. Women in the same group reported somewhat similar effects. |
