Managing Stress with Yoga and Meditation

Abstract

The state of the mind and that of the body are intimately related If the mind is relaxed, the muscles in the body will also be relaxed. Stress produces a state of physical and mental tension. Yoga, developed thousands of years ago, is recognized as a form of mind-body medicine. In yoga, physical postures and breathing exercises improve muscle strength, flexibility, blood circulation and oxygen uptake as well as hormone function. In addition, the relaxation induced by meditation helps to stabilize the autonomic nervous system with a tendency towards parasympathetic dominance. Meditation is considered a type of mind-body complementary medicine. During meditation the stream of jumbled thoughts are being eliminated, this process results in enhanced physical and emotional well-being. Some of the most common features in meditation include Focused attention, Relaxed breathing, quiet sitting, and acquiring comfortable position.