Medical yoga is defined as the use of yoga practices for the prevention and treatment of medical conditions. Beyond the physical elements of yoga, which are important and effective for strengthening the body, medical yoga also incorporates appropriate breathing techniques, mindfulness, meditation and self-reflection/study in order to achieve the maximum benefits.
Medical yoga therapy, ideally, is an individualized, personalized and holistic approach that takes into account not only the patient’s mind, body and spirit, but also their family, support network, work situation, and culture, as part of the patient’s individualized treatment plan. This type of therapy does not incur the potentially adverse effects of medications, and can produce benefits to the patient, long after their relationship with the health provider ends.
Yoga is most powerful when it changes the patient’s general health outlook, changing the emphasis from reactive to proactive health management. The nature of yoga is to find one’s eternal Self of health, peace and well-being.
Yoga is not a particular denomination or religion, but an age-old practice based on a harmonizing system for the body, mind, and spirit to attain inner peace and liberation.There are many traditional paths of yoga, including tantra, mantra, kundalini, bhakti, jnana, karma, raja yoga, and others, all of which have their own techniques to awaken these connections.
According to the classic text of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, “yoga” is the complete “inhibition of the modifications of the mind” or quieting of the constant chatter in one’s mind so that our True Selves can manifest, rest in our own true nature and be free of suffering. Disease, as described in the sutras, is said to be an impediment to spiritual practice, growth and freedom from suffering.
In the modern world we are constantly on a rush – ‘fast thoughts, fast actions, fast food ‘ etc. Speed surely does kill , doesn’t it ?
In a fast life because of a sympathetic overdrive our body and mind are always in aroused mode ( anxiety, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis etc.), no time to relax which is a parasympathetic function ( calmness, peace, contentment). When we practice Yoga we strike a balance between the two and gain a state of health and harmony.
