Yoga Therapy

Since time immemorial, yoga therapy has been in practice in India for curing innumerable diseases and human ailments. This time tested form of therapy that has been ignored in the recent past, has now however being appreciated fully. DVDs and other audio-visual mediums have also come out in this regard.

Some forms of yoga, like the Pranayama (specialized breathing exercise) has even received recognition from medical professionals in the US. Clinical evidence reveals that breathing through alternate nostrils, as practiced in yoga, is responsible for a positive balance in the two hemispheres of the brain and the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Based on various breathing techniques, yoga therapy alters the frame of mind towards positive thinking and restores mental energy lost by negative thinking. Yogis (Ascetics) are said to regard psychotherapy as the modern form of yoga therapy.

Yoga Therapy and its Effects on the Mind

Yogic exercises no doubt keep the body in good form, but its effect on the mind is far reaching as well. Much before the modern mind forming drugs were introduced, Yogis were able to take control over mind practicing through yoga.

Yoga and Food

“Food should be taken in as much of their natural state as possible”, advise the Yogis. They also felt that it is better not to process the food that is to be consumed. A diet consisting of such food, it has been established, makes possible three functions of the process of digestion:

Absorption > Assimilation > Elimination

A recent study of the American Cancer Society found that more than one third of all the cancer fatalities were caused by bad or faulty nutrition. Yoga therapy and yogic food could perhaps have saved those precious lives.

A simple Yoga Therapy through Breathing

Here is something you can try out easily

Stand erect and keep the arms in a normal resting position. Rotate the shoulders first clockwise then counterclockwise – five times each.

Bend your head right side, trying to reach the shoulder joint and then to the left side – five times each side.

Now bend the head forward and backward alternatively – five times each way.

Keep the neck erect and while bending forward, press the chin against the neck.

Now close the eyes and let the mind relax. Make it as much light and weariless as possible. Breath normally, remaining conscious to the inhalation and exhalation, feeling the movements of your breathing.

With eyes closed, all earthly sounds banished, a sense of calm will overcome you.

Take the next step now. Imagine that the incoming air is slowly coming upward from the stomach level to lungs level. Similarly, while exhaling, do the same except that now the air is coming from the top to the bottom. Repeat ten times and you will be a new person, alive with the joy of life.