yoga

What is yoga?

Yoga is a discipline developed in India which focuses on physical postures, breathing exercises and meditation. As well as the physical aspect of yoga there is also a strong spiritual side, although Western classes tend to focus on the more physical aspects of yoga. It is not a religion in itself, but there are spiritual teachings in its history.

What symptoms does it treat?

Yoga is not designed to treat specific symptoms, but it can provide a calming, focusing influence, and can help with a range of disorders, including stress, anxiety, pain and digestive disorders. Some of the postures may also be particularly helpful in releasing trapped gas in the intestines and promoting good digestion.

What happens during a yoga session?

You will be taken through a routine involving breathing exercises, meditation and concentration exercises, and a series of different physical postures and stretches. Yoga can also be practised at home.

REVIEWS OF YOGA

Review by Darrell

I have had chronic functional abdominal pain for five years now and have tried lots of different things to help. Up to quite recently the best things were hypnotherapy and self-hypnosis/deep relaxation.

I decided to try a yoga class after seeing that other people had benefited from it, and for me it has been the best so far. I think that in my case where basically I only suffer from the pain rather than the other distressing symptoms it could be more effective, but regardless of what symptoms you are suffering from it can make you more healthy, give you better posture and help with digestion.