There are several disease conditions that can be cured with proper yoga techniques. You can use it to reduce the negative effects of infertility, lung disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, insomnia, cancer, high blood pressure, and joint pain. The utility of yoga techniques have been duly recognized not only by the yoga believers but also by medical fraternity.

One of the common sources of illness is stress. Being responsible for a large number of sicknesses, this item, which we develop in our minds, can be lessened through a proper practice of yoga principles. Stress is known to lead to - 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.

When the sympathetic nervous system in human beings is activated, it signals beginning of stress condition. The response to various external stimuli is also known as the "fight or flight" response - the mind and body, sensing a danger or disturbance, prepare for one of the two options. In terms of body system, immediate outcome is increase in heart beats, together with a high ascent of blood pressure. Breathing gets shallow and the muscles stiff in anticipation to the following action. Internally, this response reduces the blood flow to internal organs and processes that are not essential in that particular moment (such as digestion and elimination) are shut down. This state of increased awareness and readiness is beneficial on a short term, preparing our body to react to the outside interventions and stimuli. Both in a "fight" and in a "flight" situation, the body is physically and mentally prepared to act. The problem arises when long-term exposure to similar stress takes place. This "fight or flight" response is only meant to help on short periods of time - the longer it is activated the less resources will the body have to function normally.

There is a natural countermeasure for the "fight or flight" response. It is called the parasympathetic nervous system or the "relaxation response". It is automatically activated when the elements that caused the stress are gone but it is also possible to increase its effects by breathing deeply and relaxing your muscles. By extending this process we allow our body to recover faster, enabling it to eliminate the damage caused by stress in a prompt and efficient manner.

Yoga signifies that by using breathing and relaxation techniques you can almost eliminate the harmful effects of stress factors on your body. A reduced "fight or flight" response can also be achieved by looking at adverse factors as challenges rather than threats. This way,your mind can focus on getting a remedy, as opposed to creating an abrupt response. Another concept employed by this technique is that of acting versus reacting, of taking initiative versus responding to outside factors.

Statistics suggest that yoga can have substantial positive impact on your mind and body. But, these techniques should only be used as a form of support and the healing should not rely solely on them.