Science has enabled man to perform miracles. The height of a mountain or depth of an ocean is not all a problem to man. But it is a pity and painful fact that with these miracle powers man is still helpless in the hands of death and disease. Often he pays an untimely toll to death .Man should be the master of destiny, man should have the power to cure his diseases and to control his premature death. Indian yogic sciences are definite aids to this end
Yoga science ios divided into three branches-Hatha yoga, Raja Yoga and the Vaidya yoga
The Hatha yoga stresses on the purification of the body. A pure body and perfect health are stepping stones to godly life and ideal life. Raja yoga stresses on purification of mind and suspension of mental operations. The Hatha yoga is mainly used in yoga therapy. Hatha yoga can be divided into 6 parts. Dhouti, Basti, Neti, Asana, Mudra and Pranayama
Yoga therapy has two aspects. One is the purification of the body by eliminating the toxins and accumulated waste materials using procedures like Dhouti,Basti and Neti.
The second aspect is the correction of pranic flow in the body through asana and pranayama
The accumulated Poisons are the nourishing food for all disease germs. If these are removed no dangerous diseases can attack our body. If these cleansing techniques are applied when diseased it will cure fastly.
The pranic flow or energy flow through the body is deteriorated during diseases and the imbalance of the pranic flow will increase the diseases. By the practice of asana and pranayama, energy flow through the subtlest channels of the body is increased. This is achieved by increasing the blood flow in the body. The blood flow is increased by the consecutive contraction/stretching and relaxation of various groups of muscles in the body.
A change in the attitude and lifestyle is necessary to help the individual to avoid the health hazards and cope with the future. The root cause of the ailment is stress. Through the various therapeutic techniques of yoga one can pluck out this root cause and provide health and harmony
WHO has recently defined health as the state of complete physical, mental, social and spiritual well being and not merely an absence of disease or infirmity. It is only recently that the modern science has accepted the mind and spirit as the integral part of human being. But the yogic tradition has recognized these fact centauries ago. According to yogic tradition there are 5 sheaths for human body. They are
1. Physical body (Annamaya Kosha)
2. Pranic body (Pranamaya Kosha)
3. Mind body (Manomaya Kosha)
4. Intellect body(Vijanamaya Kosha)
5. Bliss body (Anandamaya Kosha)
Here health means the well being of all the 5 sheaths which is more vast and deep than the definition given by WHO
An individual needs proper balance of the 5 sheaths to be in a state of complete health. Pathogenesis according to yoga sastra can be explained as the disturbance occurring in the Manomaya kosha due to the interactions with the physical world. This disturbance in Manomaya kosha is called as Adhi.The stress disturbs the Prana in Prana maya kosha and finally manifests as diseases in Annamaya kosha. Due to the ailment, the individual becomes unhappy and low individual caliber. Thus he become completely ill health and imbalanced in all the 5 layers of existence.
The integrated approach of Yoga Therapy uses Asanas, Kriyas and Yogic diet for development to Annamaya kosha, Pranayama for Pranamaya kosha, meditation and devotional session for Manomaya kosha, notional correction for Vijanamaya kosha and working in relaxation for Anandamaya Kosha. Usage of all these practices is required for curing stress related diseases. Thus by these yogic techniques health, harmony and peace can be brought to the suffering humanity.
Asanas have their main purpose in making the nerves and muscles stronger and keep the spine flexible. As a machine cannot work without strong tape or chain which connects all portions of the machines, our body machine cannot work with out healthy, strong nerves and muscles. This is why asanas are essential for health.
The main purpose of Mudras is to keep the glands in health and proper function. These glands have great responsibility in maintaining physical health and mental equilibrium. The body becomes weak, invalid and diseased and finally falls prey to premature death due to lack of adequate secretions of endocrine glands. So the glands are the conductors, preservers and destroyers of the body. The practices of mudras are essential to regulate the glands in marinating normal health.
All created things are made up of prana or vital force. So prana is also the creator, conductor and preserver of the body. The process by which the expansion of the prana is managed is called Pranayama .Pranayama especially helps to maintain strong heart and lungs.
Hatha yoga was used by the Indian monks for prevention of diseases. Through Hatha yoga we can treat diseases like Heart diseases, hyper tension, coronary thrombosis, diabetes, asthma, gastric ulcer, carcinoma at the preliminary stages, dysentery and other chronic diseases. Yoga methods can claim the highest place among all systems of cure because the body’s self healing mechanism is promoted by activating the endocrine glands or by increasing the pranic flow through the body or by removing the blocks to the flow of pranic energy in the body .In all other systems of cure some other external agents are used as medicine which may act as toxins. Yogic therapy also improves the standard of life of the diseased person.
Therapeutic Applications
1. By the practice of Dhouti karma, diseases like Kasa(cough),Swasa(dypsnea),Splenomegaly, skin diseases and 20 types of Kaphaja diseases are cured
2. by practicing Vasti karma, diseases like Ascites, Tridoshaja diseases etc are cured
3. Kapalabhati cures all diseases of the head
4. Practices of Trataka cures diseases and all discomforts of eye
5. Indigestion and related diseases are cured by Nauli
6. Practice of Mayurasana cures diseases of sinus and diseases like Jwara, Gulma etc
7. Bhadrasana is an anti dote to poison
8. Matsyendrasana stimulates gastric fire and cures many terrible diseases
9. The practice of Sarvangasana balances the endocrine system of the body
10. The best among all asana, The Pascimothasana makes the breath flow through threw sushman, stimulates gastric fire and cures all diseases of man
Limitations of Yogic Therapy
1. The practice of yoga cannot be prescribed as a medicament. Yoga is way of life and the patient must adopt it as a part of his life
2. In acute conditions of diseases and in painful stages, it is not easy to perform asanas or other kriyas.
3. Even though the cure of diseases through yoga is permanent, it is time consuming
4. This method of treatment cannot be practiced with out the cooperation of the patient. The patience and determination of both the patient and physician is important here
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Labels: Yoga
Rules Of Pranayama
Some rules for Pranayam
Select a clean and peaceful place for doing Pranayama. If possible, choose a place near a clean pond or river.
As there is a lot of pollution in the cities, some kind of incense can be lit like Guggulu and purified butter, to create a clean environment at that place, igniting a lamp with purified butter only, can also serve the purpose.
Sit either in any of the Asanas, viz. Padmasana, Sidhasana or Vajrasana, which ever you find convenient. The sheet or cloth (cotton or wool etc.) on which you sit must be a non-conductor of electricity.
Breathe only through the nose, because by doing so the air which you take in, is filtered. During daytime when you are not sitting for the performance of Pranayama make it a habit to do respire only through nose and not through mouth. Nasal respiration keeps the temperature of the Nadis (Vessels) –'Ida',Pingala and 'susmana' even. It also prevents foreign and harmful objects from getting into lungs.
Like ‘Yog’, Pranayama should also be performed four or five hours after taking food. In the morning Pranayama should be done after finishing daily routine acts like cleansing mouth, emptying of bowels etc., it should also be done before Yogsana. In the beginning Pranayama should be done for five or ten minutes gradually the time may be increased up to about 1/2 or 1 hour. Maintain a specific number of repetitions and do not variate. Maintain a specific rhythm. If it is not possible to clean the bowels by morning, at night take some mild laxative like terminalia chebula (Indian Hardaya) or any other mild laxative (a non habit forming medicinal herb having a laxative effect). Kapala-bhati Pranayama, if done regularly for a few days will help in curing constipation.
Keep your mind calm and composed. However, Pranayama can also calm down the disturbed mind and keep one happy.
Methods of Pranayama may be varied according to the seasons and your own physical make up and mental attitude. Keep this in mind and modulate the method accordingly. Some Pranayama increase the body temperature, whereas, some bring it down. Some Pranayama maintain the temperature at the normal level.
If you feel fatigued in the course of doing Pranayama , rest for sometime and then begin deep breathing, which will remove the fatigue.
Pregnant women, hungry persons, persons suffering from fever and those who are lustful having no control on their passions should not do Pranayama . If you are sick, keep in mind the instructions to be followed by sick persons while during Pranayama.
For prolonged exercises of Pranayama, observance of celibacy is necessary. Besides, food should be simple not containing irritating spices. It should be ‘Sattvika’ – (Plain and simple, non-spicy food). Use of cow’s milk, ghee (clarified butter), fruits and green vegetables can be said to be ideal food. Moderation also is a good rule to observe.
Do not strain yourself while doing ‘Kumbhak’ i.e. retaining the breathed air inside or keeping the air out after exhaling (Breathing in is called ‘puraka’, retaining the breathed air in is called ‘Kumbhak’ and exhaling the air is called ‘Recak').
Pranayama does not mean just breathing in, keeping the breathed air in and exhaling it. It also means establishing control on the entire breathing process, and maintaining mental equilibrium, and concentration of mind.
It is beneficial to chant the mantra (a group of words that carry vibrations and energy) Om (the first cosmic soundless sound), aloud and repeat the same several times before doing Pranayama. Even recital of sacred songs in the praise of almighty God or recital of some sacred hymns may be beneficial. This will calm your mind and make you fit for Pranayama, because a peaceful mind is very essential while doing Pranayama . Mental or loud recitation of Gayatri Mantra (considered as one of the greatest mantra, used in meditation and also for chanting) or any other sacred hymn brings spiritual benefits to the Sadhaka.
See that while doing Pranayama , none of your organs such as mouth, eyes, nose, etc. feels any strain and it should be done gradually without any undue stress or strain. All the organs of the body should be kept in normal condition. While doing Pranayama sit in an erect posture. Keep your spine and neck straight. This is essential for reaping the full benefit of Pranayama .
If possible Pranayama should be done after your usual morning functions like cleansing of mouth, evacuation of bowels, bathing etc. However, if it becomes necessary for you to take bath after Pranayama , keep an interval of about 15 to 20 minutes between Pranayama and bathing. For acquiring proficiency in Pranayama do not depend on books or what is done and preached by others. Seek the guidance of an expert and do Pranayama under his direct supervision.
Different treatise advocating or dealing with the subject of Pranayama describe several methods and each of them has its own importance. However, it is not possible for most people to do all these exercises daily. Hence, with the blessings of our teachers and in view of our experience, we have evolved seven methods of Pranayama , which incorporate into themselves, almost all the peculiarities of Pranayama rendering them scientific and useful from a spiritual point of view. All these seven types of Pranayama can be done, as a routine and in a time bound programme of about 20 minutes. The person who does these exercises daily and regularly can attain following benefits which are briefly described as under:
All the three Doshas (Humors) - Vata , pitta and Kapha get adjusted in proper proportion and abnormalities in them are removed.
Digestive system improves and diseases pertaining to digestive organs are cured.
Diseases pertaining to lungs, heart and brain are also cured.
Obesity, Diabetes, Cholesterol, Constipation, Flatulence, Acidity, Respiratory troubles, Allergy, Migraine, High blood pressure, diseases pertaining to kidneys, sexual disorders of males and females etc. are also cured.
Resistance against diseases is stepped up. Immunity develops.
Hereditary diseases like diabetes and heart disease are can be avoided.
Falling of hair or its premature graying, appearance of wrinkles on face or other parts of the body at young age, diminution of eye sight, forgetfulness, etc. are relieved and process of aging is retarded.
Face becomes bright, luminous and calm.
Energy Chakra are cleansed and enables the practitioner to awaken the Kundalini.
Mind becomes stable and tranquil. A sense of contentment and enthusiasm or zeal develops. Conditions like depression are relieved.
Performance of yogic exercises like meditation will be easy.
All the diseases of the physical and etheric bodies will be cured. Freedom from negative and harmful mental conditions like anger, lasciviousness, greed for money, arrogance etc. will be achieved.
All the physical and mental disorders and abnormalities are cured and toxins eradicated from the body.
Freedom from negative thinking is achieved and the mind develops the habit of positive and constructive thinking.
