Yoga Therapy A Practical Guide for the Twenty-first Century Written by Dr. Vishwas Mandlik (Guruji) Yoga Vidya Gurukul “Vishwa Yoga Darshan” Talwade, Taluka – Trimbak Nasik, Maharashtra, India 1 Yoga Therapy - Table of Contents 1. Pondering Freely .............................................................................................................. 4 2. Yoga – The Therapeutic Way ........................................................................................ 6 3. Natural and Abnormal States ....................................................................................... 8 4. Ceasing Diseases Through Yoga ................................................................................11 4.1. Yoga Therapy – an Overview ......................................................................................12 4.2. Yoga Therapy and the Koshas ....................................................................................14 5. Yogic Processes For Therapeutic Purposes ...........................................................16 6. Steps In The Process Of Liberation From Disease ...............................................21 7. Yogic Therapy Limitations ..........................................................................................24 8. Patient Registration and Examination ....................................................................27 9. Heart Disease ...................................................................................................................31 9.1. Preventive Tips to Avoid Heart Disease .................................................................38 9.2. Yoga Practices for Heart Disease ..............................................................................40 10. Hypertension ....................................................................................................................42 10.1. A Prescribed Course of Yogic Treatment for Hypertension ...................46 10.2. Yoga Practices for Hypertension .....................................................................48 11. Diabetes .............................................................................................................................49 11.1. A Prescribed Course of Yogic Treatment for Diabetes .............................54 11.2. Yoga for Diabetes ..................................................................................................58 12. Asthma ................................................................................................................................61 12.1. Yoga in the Treatment of Asthma ....................................................................64 12.2. Yogic Practices for Treatment of Asthma – A practical program .........67 13. Diseases of the Vertebral Column .............................................................................70 13.1. Yoga for Spine Problems .....................................................................................74 14. Arthritis ..............................................................................................................................75 14.1. Yoga for Arthritis ...................................................................................................78 15. Indigestion ........................................................................................................................79 15.1. Yoga for Digestive Disorders .............................................................................83 16. Constipation .....................................................................................................................84 17. Colitis ..................................................................................................................................87 18. Acidity .................................................................................................................................90 19. Ulcers ..................................................................................................................................93 2 20. Hernia .................................................................................................................................97 21. Obesity ................................................................................................................................99 21.1. Yoga for Obesity (S.S.S. – Slim and Smart Sadhana) ............................... 104 21.2. Yoga for Obesity (for Cholesterol) ................................................................ 106 22. Cold-Catarrh .................................................................................................................. 107 23. Sinusitis ........................................................................................................................... 111 24. Tonsillitis ........................................................................................................................ 113 25. Thyroid Disorders ....................................................................................................... 117 25.1. Yoga for Thyroid Disorders ............................................................................ 121 26. Headache ........................................................................................................................ 124 27. Varicose Veins ............................................................................................................... 126 28. Urinary Infections........................................................................................................ 129 29. Menstrual Disorders ................................................................................................... 131 30. Female Reproductive System Disorders ............................................................. 135 31. Yoga for Gynecological Disorders .......................................................................... 138 32. Yoga for (HIV) AIDS ..................................................................................................... 141 33. Yoga for Depression & Anxiety ............................................................................... 143 34. End Notes and Reflections ........................................................................................ 145 3 1. Pondering Freely Yogic practices and beliefs were not developed with the intention of treating illness, although they were clearly intended to maximize healthfulness. Indeed, there is not a single mention of therapeutic or curative intentions or practices in the ancient Patanjali Yoga Darshan text. Yoga experts are therefore often reticent about adding a remedial perspective to the science of Yoga fearing that the basic aims of Yoga will thus be obscured. That said, for the sake of those suffering from physical and psychological illnesses, the fact that many illnesses can be cured by Yoga ought not and ethically cannot be disregarded. And keeping in mind the basic aims of Yoga, portraying Yoga as the therapeutic instrument it actually is, and learning that Yoga and yogic practices can promote healthful outcomes that are long lasting and without negative side-impacts, can also serve as an effective way to attract newcomers to yogic practices. Contemporary lifestyle choices and behaviors, as we know, have evoked a steadily increasing number and wide variety of both physical and mental illnesses in human populations. And most individuals currently suffering with one or another illness have become accustomed to obtaining treatment for their maladies without considering the potential risks or long term consequences of the treatment selected, or having any awareness of where or why the illness might have originated. And as we know, in addition to their curative qualities, some modern medical measures have a wide range of potential ill effects associated with their use and are at best short-term measures that do not get to the root of the disease in body or mind. In fact, some “cures” do not provide any relief at all. Both such circumstances suggest they are an ideal time for individual disease sufferers to learn about the healing potential of Yoga. Especially in cases where there appears to be no effective conventional medical measures available, incorporating Yoga practices as a part of one’s lifestyle can make the difference between a healthy lifestyle and a debilitating one. The prevalence of psychosomatic illnesses is also increasing day by day and here again Yoga has proven to be an effective means for promoting healing and if Yogic Therapy is presented in an appropriate manner and with the right perspective, chances are that a significant number of people will turn to Yogic practices to provide relief. The Yoga educationalist can play a vital role for this purpose and need not fear that expanding the focus of Yoga to that of a therapeutic medium will divert from the foundational aims of Yoga and Yogic practices, indeed they are each and all consistent. If an individual is able to achieve a healthy and happy life through Yoga it is his/her right to get that chance. And for most whose Yoga practice begins with their being drawn to the therapeutic dimension of Yoga, those individuals will inevitably also gain the more commonly recognized benefits of Yoga practice inasmuch as the positive benefits of Yoga are inevitable and unavoidable. To cite just one example, imagine a person who is getting Yoga “treatments” for diabetes, including modifications