YOGA THERAPY

All yoga is therapeutic. In fact the Primary Series in Ashtanga Yoga is called "Yoga Chikitsa" - yoga therapy. Yoga therapy is the application of various yoga practices to healing. It works with our conditioning - physical and emotional - as well as the sanskaras (our inherited tendencies). In fact, unless we work at the level of our deep conditioning we just continue the same problems. We must be so deeply moved by our experience that it leads to an opening of the heart. There are different schools of yoga therapy, each with their own approach. The best of course, is one that gets results. Like other forms of yoga in the west, postures comprise much of the work in yoga therapy, combined with breath work, meditation/visualization, and diet, lifestyle, and attitude change. Yoga also teaches pratyahara - withdrawal of the senses inward which has immense benefits. Breathwork links mind and body together, influencing structure as well as physiological functioning. And calming the mind.

Yoga therapy evolved in India and is based on the flow of prana throughout the body. It is now embraced by the West which has a very different belief system. The art and science of yoga... Both orientations have their place. And the various schools of yoga therapy each have their own blend of East and West. B.K.S. Iyengar often gave therapeutic prescriptions for different ailments that included pranayama and meditation, as well as postures. Other teachers sometimes use mudras, bandha, kriya, mantra and visualization. I often tell students my directions are both physical and metaphysical. Imagery, metaphor, and symbols are just as useful as the intellect in bringing about improvement. Phrases such as "come into the present" and "conscious breathing" make sense (for different reasons perhaps) to both East and West.

This impacts physical as well as psycho/spiritual therapy. The stretching, strengthening, and improved body mechanics are similar to what a registered physical therapist might use, including the use of props. At the same time an Eastern view of the same techniques might be increasing the flow of prana, activating chakras, or balancing doshas. This applies to psycho/spiritual therapy as well. Yoga therapy could be seen as stress reduction or release of anxiety and tension. In the Indian approach we become one with the Spirit inside, healing the split between mind and body. Communing with Spirit is healing for anyone.

Yoga therapy can be done in a group setting, one-on-one, or integrated into a standard yoga class. It is especially useful for injuries and structural problems or imbalances such as a bad back. It can also be valuable for a wealth of other ailments from diabetes to depression. It can help to sooth some of the side effects of chemotherapy. It also encompasses psychotherapy and can be helpful for mental/emotional problems. There is no guarantee of cure of course but it points us in the direction of health and brings us back to balance (homeostasis), over and over. The body and mind can then access their own healing potential, which is different for each of us. And there is a rich tradition of yoga philosophy to provide a framework for this process. This is optional however, as the direct experience is all that is necessary. There is also healing as opposed to cure - a healing of the heart and spirit, even if relief of the symptoms is not possible. This is perhaps the greatest benefit of yoga therapy.


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		"It (Matsyasana) increases appetite and is an instrument for destroying the most deadly diseases. It (Paschimottanasana) kindles gastric fire, reduces obesity and cures all diseases of men. This âsana (Mayurasana) soon destroys all diseases, and removes abdominal disorders, digests unwholesome food taken in excess, increases appetite and destroys the most deadly poison. He who knows the Kechari Mudra is not afflicted with disease, death, sloth, sleep, hunger, thirst, and swooning." - The Hatha Yoga Pradipika "I now describe the Padmasana which wards off (or cures) all diseases. It (Mahamudra) gives faultless beauty to the body, and destroys decay and death." - The Siva Samhita All yoga is therapeutic. In fact the Primary Series in Ashtanga Yoga is called "Yoga Chikitsa" - yoga therapy. Yoga therapy is the application of various yoga practices to healing. It works with our conditioning - physical and emotional - as well as the sanskaras (our inherited tendencies). In fact, unless we work at the level of our deep conditioning we just continue the same problems. We must be so deeply moved by our experience that it leads to an opening of the heart. There are different schools of yoga therapy, each with their own approach. The best of course, is one that gets results. Like other forms of yoga in the west, postures comprise much of the work in yoga therapy, combined with breath work, meditation/visualization, and diet, lifestyle, and attitude change. Yoga also teaches pratyahara - withdrawal of the senses inward which has immense benefits. Breathwork links mind and body together, influencing structure as well as physiological functioning. And calming the mind. Yoga therapy evolved in India and is based on the flow of prana throughout the body. It is now embraced by the West which has a very different belief system. The art and science of yoga... Both orientations have their place. And the various schools of yoga therapy each have their own blend of East and West. B.K.S. Iyengar often gave therapeutic prescriptions for different ailments that included pranayama and meditation, as well as postures. Other teachers sometimes use mudras, bandha, kriya, mantra and visualization. I often tell students my directions are both physical and metaphysical. Imagery, metaphor, and symbols are just as useful as the intellect in bringing about improvement. Phrases such as "come into the present" and "conscious breathing" make sense (for different reasons perhaps) to both East and West. This impacts physical as well as psycho/spiritual therapy. The stretching, strengthening, and improved body mechanics are similar to what a registered physical therapist might use, including the use of props. At the same time an Eastern view of the same techniques might be increasing the flow of prana, activating chakras, or balancing doshas. This applies to psycho/spiritual therapy as well. Yoga therapy could be seen as stress reduction or release of anxiety and tension. In the Indian approach we become one with the Spirit inside, healing the split between mind and body. Communing with Spirit is healing for anyone. Yoga therapy can be done in a group setting, one-on-one, or integrated into a standard yoga class. It is especially useful for injuries and structural problems or imbalances such as a bad back. It can also be valuable for a wealth of other ailments from diabetes to depression. It can help to sooth some of the side effects of chemotherapy. It also encompasses psychotherapy and can be helpful for mental/emotional problems. There is no guarantee of cure of course but it points us in the direction of health and brings us back to balance (homeostasis), over and over. The body and mind can then access their own healing potential, which is different for each of us. And there is a rich tradition of yoga philosophy to provide a framework for this process. This is optional however, as the direct experience is all that is necessary. There is also healing as opposed to cure - a healing of the heart and spirit, even if relief of the symptoms is not possible. This is perhaps the greatest benefit of yoga therapy. CLICK HERE FOR PSYCHO/SPIRITUAL THERAPY CLICK HERE FOR PHYSICAL THERAPY



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