Many people these days are looking for methods of natural health cures and health maintenance. The Asian and eastern methods of healing are becoming more and more popular. There is a growing commitment to “healing thyself” without need or dependency on other persons or medicines. It is here that Yoga can be utilized due to its philosophy that within us we have all that we need to heal ourselves, given the right methods and attitudes. But please do not misunderstand that Yoga is for healing. The practices of Yoga are for growth, self-awareness and the progression of more spiritual life. In amongst this process, many have found that there is a “healing.” This healing is an inevitable outcome of personal growth. So within that context, healing is growth, and Yoga promotes growth. Therefore Yoga can help with healing.
Many seekers have discovered the ancient methods of Yoga and Meditation for management of stress and illness to their great benefit, both physical and mental. Relaxation is known to reduce the incidence of stress-related diseases and Meditation is known to be effective in reversing so-called “incurable diseases” such as cancer. But the application of Integral Yoga is not so well known as a potent curative therapy.
Within the broad range of techniques that are encompassed by Integral Yoga, these following aspects are used most often in the treatment and management of common illness.
- Yoga Asanas: Postures and exercises
- Pranayamas: Breath and energy control techniques
- Shatkarmas: salt water cleansing techniques
- Yoga Nidra: Psychic sleep or deep relaxation
- Mantra Yoga: Meditation practices involving Mantras
- Prana Vidya: Subtle breath/energy and visualization techniques
- Diet: Management of food and eating habits
- Ashram Retreat: For lifestyle management
- Student and Teacher Relationship: A 2-way commitment
Each of these aspects of Yoga is a sophisticated and comprehensive component in its own right and cannot be dealt with adequately here. In Integral Yoga Therapy, they are all blended to give a balanced approach to ailments of both psychic and psycho-somatic nature. Whether one is recovering from a simple physical illness such as constipation or a complicated mental condition such as schizophrenia, the approach by the Integral Yoga Therapist is similar, in that a range of each of these branches is included in the treatment.
The main perspective of Yoga Therapy is that it is not the illness that needs treatment, it is the person. For example, one child with an asthmatic condition will require a different application to that of an elderly asthmatic. One must always consider the personal attributes of the patient/student. So in diagnosing and treating any illness, one can’t just fit a magic formula of Yoga into a known or suspected disease. Before embarking on a major course of self-healing with Yoga Therapy, you should consult a qualified Integral Yoga Therapist.
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