Yoga is an ancient practice from traditional Indian (Ayurvedic) medicine. It usually involves breathing patterns, meditation exercises and physical body movements or postures.
Yoga is used to relieve stress, fatigue, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), fibromyalgia, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, and sleep troubles (insomnia). It is also used for painful conditions including nerve pain (neuropathy), headache, migraine, arthritis, low-back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and labor and delivery; and for breathing problems including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, tuberculosis, and bronchitis.
Other uses include treatment of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.
Some breast cancer patients use yoga for improving emotional well-being and for reducing nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy.
A number of stroke survivors also use yoga for improving recovery.
Some people who suffer from epilepsy also use yoga to reduce the frequency of seizures.
Yoga also is used for treating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), symptoms of menopause, multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia, pancreatitis, and early orgasm in men (premature ejaculation); as well as many other conditions.
How does it work?
Yoga is an ancient practice and is an important part of traditional “Ayurvedic” medicine in India. Yoga uses several exercises including breathing, meditation, and body posture exercises. Many different styles of yoga exist that use a variety of techniques. The purpose of yoga is to achieve self-realization or enlightenment. Today it is also used for a variety of medical conditions and to maintain good health.
Like other forms of exercise and meditation, yoga appears to have several potentially beneficial effects. It can affect blood pressure, blood glucose levels, stress levels, and anxiety, and can affect brain chemicals related to mood.