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Yoga as Therapy – Yoga tips india, free yoga videos, yoga expet india

“Sam dosha dhatuh sam agni mallah kriya
Prassana atma indriya manah Svasthya ityabhidiyatet”
– Sushruta Samhita

A balanced state of the main elements of our body (dosha and dhatu), adequate digestion (agni), proper excretion (malah kriya), blissful condition of atma, satisfied senses (indriya) and a happy state of mind (manas) when encompassed in a person then he can be called as Healthy (svasthya)
Considering this as the basis of life, the various traditional healing methods in India, are more holistic in their approach. The concept is to create a healthy body, an alert mind, an emotionally stable state and a spiritually enlightened life. When we view “Yoga” therapeutically, then we obviously would need to explore the various practices of Yoga under physical, mental, emotional and spiritual sub-headings.

The following have been pronounced as “Limbs of Yoga therapy”

1.    Yama, Niyama, Mitaahara – Codes of Conduct and Diet regulations
2.    Kriya – Cleansing practices
3.    Asana – Physical Postures
4.    Pranayama – Breathing techniques
5.    Mudra/ bandha – Neuro-muscular locks
6.    Relaxation
7.    Dhyana – Meditation

Each of these 7 limbs are applied for every disorder, to treat “holistically”. Each of the practices in Yoga cannot be practiced in absolute isolation because for a complete effect, permutations or combinations of the practices are required. However, each one of them target a specific benefit and can be applied in varied ways. To understand the ideology behind it, I’ll take a sample case of someone with sleeping disorder, also called as Insomnia and then apply various aspects of Yoga therapy to this particular disorder.

1.    Yama |niyama |mitahara: All three are grouped together as 1 limb. These are highly significant in treating the root cause of the disorder, yamas and niyamas being the codes of conduct, which are given before initiating the Yoga sessions. As per the disorder or the overall analysis, a combination of yamas and niyamas are suggested. In a case of Insomnia, “Sauca” is specially suggested, because a lot of times, insomnia occurs as a result of unclean vicinity. Also a few sleep rituals are taught as part of Sauca for inducing sleep.

“Mitahara” means appropriate diet. As per the problem an overall analysis of the condition of the body is done and an appropriate diet is suggested. This is very important to follow as it directly impacts the effect of the yoga practices. Theoretically, in Yoga, it is believed that diet directly impacts the state of mind. Hence, an apt diet, in relevance to the problem, when suggested leads to a sattvic state of mind. The increase in sattva quotient, further makes the body light and the practices easier.

2.    Kriya – The second step in Yoga therapy, Kriyas are cleansing practices, meant for balancing the vata, pitta and kapha in the body (these are the three body constituents, that define the overall systems of the body. Each of them are responsible for various functions of the body and vitiation of any of these dosa {pron.do-sha-s} causes disorders. Kriyas help is balancing the state of the vitiated dosas. The 6 kriyas and their various varieties applied in Yoga therapy, as  mentioned in Hatha Yoga and Gheranda Samhita are as follows
3.

a.    Neti – for reducing excess kapha, especially above the shoulders.
i.    Jal neti  – used for sinusitis
ii.    Sutra neti – used for cough/ cold

b.    Dhauti – for correcting vitiated/ disturbed kapha and pitta.
i.    Jal dhauti – reduces acidity very effectively
ii.    Vastra dhauti – very helpful in removing excess phlegm (kapha)
iii.    Danda dhauti
iv.    Agnisara – provokes gastric fire
v.    Jivha dhauti

c.    Nauli – for pacifying vitiated pitta
i.    Vam
ii.    Madhyam
iii.    Dakshi

d.    Basti – for pacifying vitiated vata
i.    Jala basti
ii.    Sthala basti

e.    Trataka – cures eye – disorders, develops concentration

f.    Kapalabhati – for expelling excess phlegm in the skull and brings a shine to it.

4.    Asana – these are postures of various kinds, affecting the internal organs and the various systems of the body. Depending upon the issue, in consideration, the asanas are decided. Breathing plays a crucial role while performing asanas and each posture should be extremely comfortable for the body as these are postures that give stability and happiness in the body.
Some of the most common asanas used in therapy:

a.    pascimottanasana
b.    tadaasana
c.    trikonasana
d.    vrikshasana
e.    baddhakonasana
f.    pawanmukta asana
g.    bhujangasana
h.    shalabhasana
i.    padmasana
j.    ardhamatsyendra asana

5.    Pranayama – the world literally implies “lengthening/a pause in the movement of the breath”. “Prana” means breath and “ayama” means to lengthen, extend (also pause). These are practices where periodically extension and retention of the breath is done.

There are 8 kinds of pranayamas described in Hatha Yoga, out of which 7 are mostly applied for the purpose of therapy. These are:

a.    Ujjayee – reduces kapha, cures throat infections
b.    Nadi shodana/ Anuloma Viloma – regularizes flow of breath in the body
c.    Shitkari – cools the system, relieves thirst
d.    Sheetali – soothes the eyes, ears
e.    Bhramari – brings happiness, relaxes mind
f.    Bhastrika – drains out the excess kapha in sinuses
g.    Surya bhedi – reduces vata, improves digestion

6.    Mudra/Bandha – these are neuro-muscular locks of 8 kinds and are practiced at various points on the body. Mudras can be understood as practices which are a combination of asana like postures and kumbhakas (restraining the breath) as done in pranayamas. They give lightness of the body, improve digestion and purify the breathing channels. These purify the mind and prepare the body for better meditation.

7.    The ones that are most commonly applied for therapy are:
a.    Maha Mudra – for treating diabetes
b.    Maha bandha – for treating digestive system disorders
c.    Viparit karni – for treating thyroid dysfunction
d.    Manduki mudra – for stimulating the thyroid/ para-thyroid glands
e.    Uddiyana bandha – for stimulating digestion
f.    Jaladhara bandha – for stimulating thyroid gland
g.    Mula Bandha – for curing excretory system disorders

8.    Relaxation – In Yoga, shavasana and Yoga nidra are the two techniques of inducing relaxation. It is considered as a very crucial part of Yoga therapy as it completely pacifies the mind, quietens the body functions and helps in centering oneself preparing the mind, body and the breath for dhyana.

Physiologically also this is regarded as a very important aspect as it has been observed that during shavasana, the body enters an anabolic state, during which the cells repair, rejuvenate leading to increase in production of proteins and bone growth.

9.    Dhyana – This is the most significant aspect of Yoga therapy as this is the only step where “Yoga” is attained. Meditation/ dhyana can be defined as a practice of reaching a state of absolute mental peace, relaxed body. It results in immense energy through out the body and brings clarity in mind.

To pacify the disturbing modifications of the mind is the final stage of Yoga and    all the limbs of yoga (in Ashtanga yoga) or in Yoga-therapy are performed for experiencing this.

Meditation enjoys special place and relevance in therapy as the effect of the same has been strongly experienced in disorders such as hypertension, depression (other psychosomatic disorders), stress and cardiac problems. Many researches, over the years have shown tremendous benefit by adapting meditation in cardio vascular disorders as it lowers the heart rate and reduces blood pressure. Based on a body constituent analysis, meditation techniques of different kinds can be applied for various disorders.

The above 7 are the limbs of Yoga therapy and application in combination/ conjugation makes the whole therapy effective. Before initiating any session, a detailed case-history of the participant should be taken and very selectively practices are then designed based on his body analysis and state of mind. Each of the limbs play a significant role and one’s effect leads to a better effect of the other one. Synchronizing the 7 limbs, appropriately, yoga-therapy works.