Yoga Benefits - Pain Relief

Savasana

Pain Relief.  A second Yoga Benefit.  Yoga can ease pain.  Studies have shown that practicing yoga asanas (postures), meditation or a combination of the two, reduced pain for people with conditions such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, auto-immune diseases and hypertension as well as arthritis, back and neck pain and other chronic conditions.  (Source:  Yoga Alliance).  What I have observed over the many years I have been studying, practicing and teaching yoga is the clear connection between the mind and body.  Particularly with relation to pain - both physical and mental.  One of the strangest happenings for me is with regard to my own stress headaches.  Accidentally I discovered my headaches disappeared when I went into a shoulder stand.  I am not recommending, prescribing, or otherwise claiming medical knowledge that suggests you do this - only that for me it has worked many times.  As a matter of fact, my stress headaches almost never occur any longer - perhaps once or twice a year for a day or two.  I seem to have gained control over them.  Granted, I have made many lifestyle changes - any number of which or even the total collection may be involved, probably are.  I do know that I have not taken any kind of "pain pills" for many years now - even following some minor surgeries.  That does not mean I haven't had pain--it just isn't severe enough to require drugs--at least so far!  "Knock on wood."........Six geese just flew away from the Pond.  The mist is beginning to lift.  Now I can walk safely.  Most of the people have already driven the road to work.