Yoga Therapy
Yoga therapy is a self-empowering process, where the care-seeker, with the help of the Yoga therapist, implements a personalized and evolving Yoga practice, that not only addresses the illness in a multi-dimensional manner, but also aims to alleviate his/her suffering in a progressive, non-invasive and complementary manner. Depending upon the nature of the illness, Yoga therapy can not only be preventative or curative, but also serve a means to manage the illness, or facilitate healing in the person at all levels.
TKV Desikachar & Kausthub Desikachar
The therapeutic employment of Yoga entails the application of Yogic practices, but for the purpose of curing illnesses. When a disorder arises in the body, it should undergo treatment. Specific Yogic practices can be instrumental in treating some such inefficiencies in the functioning of the body, and overcoming the illnesses caused by them. The mode in which Yogic processes are made to function for the treatment of a patient is called Yogic Therapy.
A number of -pathies have come into existence for the remedy of diseases. They include Allopathy, Homeopathy, Ayurveda, Naturopathy, Magnetic Therapies, and so on. But the basic difference between these -pathies and Yoga is that all the other -pathies were born for the remedial purpose, whereas that was never the aim of the science of Yoga.
The ultimate goal of Yoga is the union of the human being with the Universal Consciousness. The practice of Yoga aims to lead the human to spiritual manifestation and ultimately Absolute Liberation. Many practices were designed for this purpose. But, during the practice of Yoga, it was observed that some ailments can be cured with the use of certain techniques.
A disease or ailment is the first obstacle in long term practice for the journey towards Self discovery. Maharshi Patanjali said this in his Yoga Sutras (Pada-I, Sutra No.30). Therefore, there must be a way in the Yogic practices themselves to overcome any obstacles on this path.
A number of references in the modern Yogic literature can be found where the remedial effects of Yogic processes are cited. ‘Yogic practices for curing a (particular) disease’ has been the topic of a number of books in modern times. But treating a disease has not been given any significance in the ancient Yogic literature. In the fifth ‘Advice’ of Hatha Pradeepika, some breathing practices for treating the troubles caused due to wrong practice of breathing exercises are mentioned. Moreover, in the books of Hatha Yoga, the effects of Postures and Cleansing Processes are explained vaguely as ‘Cure to all diseases’. Often, the effects are exaggerated to state ‘cure all diseases’. It is thus clear that Yoga was never proposed to be a therapy, and the remedial effects of Yogic practices were only pointed at.
The credit of bringing forth through scientific experiments the fact that Yogic processes are significant in curing many diseases goes to none but the founder of Kaivalyadham, Lonavala – Beloved Swami Kuvalayananda! Swamiji carried out a number of experiments and studied Yoga from the remedial point of view. He noted his conclusions in the book ‘Yogic Therapy’, which is the Bhagavad Geeta for students studying Yoga from the therapeutic perspective.
For some illnesses, for instance; Spondilitis, Psychosomatic illnesses, or those in which diagnosis has not been possible, Yoga is a viable and affordable alternative. Treatments for such illnesses with other therapies are short-term, or work superficially by curing only symptoms. The medication in other treatments is not free of drawbacks. It brings along with it some negative side-effects which in their turn require treatment. Yoga is the best remedy in such cases. Yoga not only treats the illness but also gives an overall affirmative experience towards normal health.
In some diseases like Diabetes, Hypertension and Asthma, Yoga acts in parallel to medicinal treatment. Although medicines play a prime role in treating these diseases, they are not sufficient. The patient can experience a quicker recovery if Yogic practices are started alongside the medicines. The disease comes under control and gradually the need for medicines is reduced by the practice of Yoga. In these cases, Yoga alone (without any medical treatment) is not enough in the initial stages, but as the dose of medicine is reduced or nullified, Yoga plays a vital role in maintaining the reduced need of medicinal treatment.
In other illnesses, Yoga acts as a supportive agent to the other medical treatments. Here, the role of Yoga is not vital. Yet, a practice of certain Yogic processes boosts the effect of medication. Diseases generated from germs are a good example in this case. The practice of certain Yogic processes will certainly help the medical treatment and will hasten the day that the medicine can be gradually reduced.
Yoga therapy, derived from the Yoga tradition of Patanjali and the Ayurvedic system of health care refers to the adaptation and application of Yoga techniques and practices to help individuals facing health challenges at any level manage their condition, reduce symptoms, restore balance, increase vitality, and improve attitude.
Gary Kraftsow American Viniyoga Institute
Yoga therapy is that facet of the ancient science of Yoga that focuses on health and wellness at all levels of the person: physical, psychological, and spiritual. Yoga therapy focuses on the path of Yoga as a healing journey that brings balance to the body and mind through an experiential understanding of the primary intention of Yoga: awakening of Spirit, our essential nature.
Joseph LePage, M.A., Integrative Yoga Therapy (U.S.A.)
Yoga therapy adapts the practice of Yoga to the needs of people with specific or persistent health problems not usually addressed in a group class.
Larry Payne, Ph.D. Samata Yoga Center (U.S.A.)
Yoga therapy is the adaptation of yoga practices for people with health challenges. Yoga therapists prescribe specific regimens of postures, breathing exercises, and relaxation techniques to suit individual needs. Medical research shows that Yoga therapy is among the most effective complementary therapies for several common aliments. The challenges may be an illness, a temporary condition like pregnancy or childbirth, or a chronic condition associated with old age or infirmity.
Robin Monro, Ph.D. Yoga Biomedical Trust (England)
Yoga comprises a wide range of mind/body practices, from postural and breathing exercises to deep relaxation and meditation. Yoga therapy tailors these to the health needs of the individual. It helps to promote all-round positive health, as well as assisting particular medical conditions. The therapy is particularly appropriate for many chronic conditions that persist despite conventional medical treatment.
Marie Quail, Yoga Therapy and Training Center (Ireland)
The use of the techniques of Yoga to create, stimulate, and maintain an optimum state of physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health.
Judith Hanson Lasater, Ph.D.
Yoga therapy consists of the application of yogic principles, methods, and techniques to specific human ailments. In its ideal application, Yoga therapy is preventive in nature, as is Yoga itself, but it is also restorative in many instances, palliative in others, and curative in many others.
Art Brownstein, M.D.
Yoga therapy may be defined as the application of yogic principles to a particular person with the objective of achieving a particular spiritual, psychological, or physiological goal. The means employed are comprised of intelligently conceived steps that include but are not limited to the components of Ashtanga Yoga, which includes the educational teachings of yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, and samadhi. Also included are the application of meditation, textual study, spiritual or psychological counseling, chanting, imagery, prayer, and ritual to meet the needs of the individual. Yoga therapy respects individual differences in age, culture, religion, philosophy, occupation, and mental and physical health. The knowledgeable and competent yogin or yogini applies Yoga Therapy according to the period, the place, and the practitioner’s age, strength, and activities.
Richard Miller, Ph.D.
Yoga therapy is of modern coinage and represents a first effort to integrate traditional yogic concepts and techniques with Western medical and psychological knowledge. Whereas traditional Yoga is primarily concerned with personal transcendence on the part of a “normal” or healthy individual, Yoga therapy aims at the holistic treatment of various kinds of psychological or somatic dysfunctions ranging from back problems to emotional distress. Both approaches, however, share an understanding of the human being as an integrated body-mind system, which can function optimally only when there is a state of dynamic balance.
Georg Feuerstein, Ph.D.
Yoga therapy is a holistic healing art. Rather than prescribe treatments, it invites presence and awareness. Using age-old yogic approaches to deeper presence and awareness, we are able to know ourselves more fully. Out of that knowing, we are more easily moved to embrace the opportunity for change, growth, and enhanced well-being in body, feelings, thought, and spirit.
Michael Lee, Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy
Yoga therapy is the application of Yoga to individuals to empower them to progress toward greater health and freedom from disease.
Ganesh Mohan, Svastha Yoga and Ayurveda