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Curative Yoga
INTRODUCTION
Most people, specially from western worlds, think of yoga as
merely an eastern exercise program. Nothing could be further from
the truth. The underlying purpose behind the practice of yoga -
the literal meaning of yoga is `joining' - is to reunite the
individual self (Jiva) with the absolute or pure consciousness
(Brahma).
Union with this unchanging reality liberates the spirit from
all sense of separation, freeing it from the illusions of time,
space and causation. Since according to yogic philosophy the human
body and mind are part of the illusory world of matter, with a
limited time span, while the soul /spirit is eternal and passes
onto another world when this body wears out. Thus, central to
yogic philosophy are the concepts of Karma (cause- effect
relationships) and Reincarnation.
Yoga is therefore regarded as a divine science of life,
revealed to enlightened sages in meditation. First textual mention
in the Vedas was corroborated by oldest archeological evidence of
seals from the Indus Valley dating back to around 3000 B.C. The
Upanishads that followed the Vedas provide the main foundation of
Vedanta philosophy (that espouses the idea of an absolute
consciousness called Brahma) and yoga teachings.
Around the sixth century B.C. appeared the massive epic The
Mahabharata written by sage Vyasa and containing The Bhagavad Gita.
Apparently a set of battlefield instructions on one's duties in
life, they are very allegorical in showing how the challenges of
life have to be faced - so much so that it is often considered the
best book on management ever written. The Gita contains yoga terms
and concepts to enable the reader face life similarly.
The backbone of Raja Yoga is furnished by
Patanjali's Yoga Sutra, thought to have been written in the third century B.C. The
classical text on Hatha Yoga, the Hatha Yoga Pradipika which
describes the various asanas and breathing exercises which form
the basis of the practice of modern yoga, was compiled much later
by a yogi named Svatmarama.
In the modern perspective, Yoga is one of the most effective
and wholesome forms of experience to control the waves of thought
by converting mental & physical energy into spiritual energy. Yoga
eases away pent-up tension, rejuvenates the body & soul, enhances
concentration, cures diseases and keeps a hold on the aging
process.
Benefits of Yoga
Preventive Value
-
Yoga helps to bring natural order and balance to the neuro-hormones
and metabolism in the body.
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At the same time, these exercises improve endocrine
metabolism, thus providing you with a preventive shield.
Curative Value
-
Yogic postures activate the energies that have accumulated
and stagnated in the energy pockets of the body - since left
inert, these energies create various ailments.
-
Yogic exercises cleanse your body, mind and consciousness by
venting toxins from the body.
Principles of Yoga
Patanjali's Eight Principles of Yoga
- Abstinence (yama)
- Observance (niyama)
- Posture (asana)
- Regulation of breath (pranayama)
- Withdrawal of Senses (pratyahara)
- Concentration (dharana)
- Meditation (dhyana)
- Super Consciousness (samadhi)
Swami Sivananda's Modified Five Principles of Yoga
1. Proper relaxation
- Releases tension in the muscles
- Helps letting go of all worries
- Ensures conservation of energy
2. Proper exercise
- Yoga postures - to be performed as per body constitution.
- Yogic consultation is a must.
- Correct postures work systematically on all parts of the
body. Stretching and toning the muscles & ligaments. Keeping the
spine and joints flexible. Improving the blood circulation.
3. Proper breathing (pranayama)
- Brings an extraordinary balance in the consciousness
- Teaches you to control your mental state by regulating the
flow of the life force.
4. Proper diet
- Chart out a well-nourished balanced diet.
- Keeps the body light and supple and the mind calm.
- Resists ailments.
5. Positive Thinking & Meditation
- Removes negative thoughts. Stills the mind.
- You attain super-consciousness. A state beyond time, space
and causation.
Yoga for Vata, Pitta and Kapha
There are different Yogic Postures for different body types. If
you have not found your body type as yet then find your Body Type.
(All postures should be performed while inhaling deeply)
Yoga Asanas for Vata
All postures should be performed while doing deep, quiet
breathing.
- Asthma
Backward Bend, Plough, Knee to Chest, Corpse
- Backache
Knee to Chest, Plough, Half Wheel, Backward Bend
- Constipation
Backward Bend, Yoga Mudra, Knee to Chest, Shoulder Stand,
Corpse. Belly should be drawn in while doing these postures.
- Depression
Yoga Mudra, Plough, Corpse, Palm Tree, Lotus
- Sciatica
Knee to Chest, Backward Bend, Plough, Yoga Mudra, Half Wheel
- Sexual Debility
Backward Bend, Plough, Shoulder Stand, Elevated Lotus
- Varicose Veins
Head Stand, Backward Bend, Corpse
- Wrinkles
Yoga Mudra, Backward, Bend, Head Stand, Plough
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
Half Wheel, Bow, Plough, Head Stand, Backward Bend
- Headache
Plough, Yoga Mudra, Head Stand
- Insomnia
Corpse, Cobra, Backward Bend
- Menstrual Disorders
Plough, Cobra, Half Wheel, Yoga Mudra
Yoga Asanas for Pitta
All postures should be performed while doing deep, quiet
breathing
- Peptic Ulcer
Hidden Lotus,Sheetali (inhale through coiled tongue through
mouth)
- Hyperthyroidism
Shoulder Stand, Ear Knee
- Malabsorption
Knee to Chest, Fish, Locust
- Hypertension
Shoulder Stand, Cobra, Half Bow, Quiet breathing
- Anger or Hate
Half Bow, Shoulder Stand, Hidden Lotus, Corpse
- Migraine Headache
Sheetali, Shoulder Stand, Fish
- Colitis
Fish, Ear Knee, Boat, Bow
- Liver Disorder
Fish, Shoulder Stand, Ear Knee, Hidden Lotus
- Hemorrhoids
Fish, Shoulder Stand, Bow
- Stomatitis (Inflammation of the Tongue) -
Sheetali
Yoga Asanas for Kapha
All postures should be performed while doing, deep, quiet
breathing.
- Bronchitis
Head Stand, Plough, Forward Bend, Backward Bend, Half Wheel,
Fish
- Emphysema
Half Wheel, Shoulder Stand
- Sinus Congestion
Fish, Boat, Plough, Bow, Breath of Fire (Bhasrika)
- Sinus Headache
Lion, Head Knee, Fish
- Diabetes
Boat, Fish, Half Wheel, Backward Bend, Forward Bend
- Chronic Gastro
Intestinal Disorders - Fish, Locust, Cobra
- Sore Throat
Lion, Shoulder Stand, Locust, Fish
- Asthma
Half Wheel, Bow, Boat, Shoulder Stand, Palm Tree, Fish, Cobra
So just steal away 15 minutes from your hectic schedule and
devote those precious moments to Yoga!
Types of Yoga Asanas
Listed below are some of the more common yoga asanas that prove
very effective in the achieving of perfect health by ensuring a
maintenance / correction of doshic balance / imbalance. For
details, please click on the asana that you would like to know
more about.
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