How Yoga Heals by Timothy Burgin

 

India’s Gits to the World

How Yoga Heals

1. For what diseases can yoga be a therapy?

Answer: Yoga can be a therapy for cancer, infertility, lung disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, insomnia, high blood pressure and joint pain.

2. Which diseases are caused by stress?

Answer: Diseases caused by stress are cardio vascular disease, depression, anxiety some types of diabetes mellitus etc.

3. What is the reaction of our body in the 'fight or flight system?

Answer: There is an instantaneous surge in the heart rate, cardiac output, blood pressure, sweating, shallow breathing, and metabolism, combined with a tensing of muscles.

 4. Write the main hazards of stress.

Answer: Long term continuous exposure to stress places excess wear and tear on the body’s systems and severely limits the body’s natural maintenance and healing abilities.

5. Why is cortisol good for our body?

Answer: Cortisol is good for our body because this hormone at normal levels helps to maintain an active healthy body including regulation of metabolism and blood pressure.

6. Describe the impact of the high level of cortisol on our health.

Answer: The high level of cortisol can increase heart rate, blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels which are risk factors for heart attacks and strokes.

7. How can parasympathetic nervous system be activated?

Answer: Parasympathetic nervous system becomes activated when the threat of stressor has passed or ended or by deepening the breath and relaxing the skeletal muscles.

8. What is the result of 'rest or renew' in our body?

Answer: We not only allow our body to recover from illness and disease, but we also practise preventive medicine by allowing the body to perform all of its essential maintenance tasks.

9. What is important for the promotion of long term health?

Answer: Parasympathetic system allows digestion and elimination to be stimulated, and blood is free to travel to the digestive, reproductive, glandular, and immune systems-systems necessary for the promotion of long term health.

10. Describe the main components of Yoga practice?

Answer: The main components of Yoga practice are Asanas (different postures), Pranayam (breathing techniques) and dhyana (meditation exercise). It employs holistic approach.

11. What does the practice of yoga encourage?

Answer: Practicing yoga encourages one to lead a healthier lifestyle, through developing the self awareness and discipline required for positive behaviour modification.

12. Explain the relationship between stress and diseases.

Answer. Medical research estimates that as much as 90 percent of illness and disease is stress related. A few of many diseases and conditions that have been linked to an overactive stress response include cardio-vascular disease, depression, anxiety, some types of diabetes mellitus etc. Long term stress places excess wear and tear on the body's systems and limits natural healing abilities.

13. What do you understand by sympathetic nervous system? How does it function?

Answer: What we feel as stress, is the product of the sympathetic nervous system or the “fight or flight” response: an almost immediate surge in heart rate, cardiac output, blood pressure, sweating, shallow breathing, and metabolism, combined with a tensing of muscles. Internally, the “fight or flight” response shuts down digestion and elimination and reduces blood flow to the internal organs. Short term, this stress reaction is a good thing, the “fight or flight” response prepares us to respond to any environmental threat by fighting against it or fleeing from it. But long term, continuous exposure to stress is harmful.

14. Mention the benefits of yoga as discussed in the lesson. 

Ans. The main yogic exercises are inverting, twisting, compressing of body organs, deep breathing and conscious relaxation. Not only does yoga’s practice to activate the parasympathetic nervous system reduce stress and allow the body to heal itself, but the practice of yoga also improves the body’s inherent healing abilities. Yoga is very beneficial to our health. Yoga decreases the level of stress hormone cortisol in the blood. The meditative practices of Yoga help to reduce stress and activate “fight of flight response. It enables us to avoid the stress response problem. Practicing Yoga also encourages one to lead a healthier life style. Yoga can be used as a therapy for several deadly diseases.