Yoga therapy is a conscious process helping us to rise from our animal instincts to a level of normal discrimination and elevating us to manifest the immense potentialities dormant in us. It not only works to bring fitness and vigor to the physical body, but also harnesses our will and emotions and expands our power of insight, vision and analysis. Such science to harness the will, calm the mind and steady the emotions, without losing the sharpness of intellect is the key to human progress.
In Yoga therapy including Yogic consultation, Yogic diet, Yogasana, Yogic Kriyas, Pranayama, Daily parameter, Special techniques, Yoganidra, Deep relaxation technique, Kridayoga, Yogic counselling etc. which we can experience deep relaxation. Yoga therapy offers us a holistic lifestyle of bliss, efficiency, emotional equipoise, mental clarity, intellectual sharpness and physical well-being. It is towards the holistic lifestyle that we should move.
The Integrated Approach of Yoga Therapy (IAYT)
The disturbances in the Manomaya Kosha(the mental layer) percolates into the physical layer (Annamaya Kosha) through the Pranamaya Kosha (the layer of Prana). Hence, in the treatment of all non-communicable diseases (NCDs) it becomes mandatory to work at all these levels of our existence to bring about the quickest results. Yoga therapy, thus, consists in not only dealing with physical sheath, the relief of which could at best be temporary as is happening with the drugs used in modern medicine to treat diseases of the psychosomatic type like Asthma, Diabetes, etc. it also includes using techniques to operate on different sheaths of our existence.
Practices at Annamaya Kosha (The Physical Layer)
- Kriyas: activating and revitalizing the organs, toning up their functions, desensitization, and develop to deep internal awareness.
- Sithilikarana Vyayama: Very simple physical movements to mobilize and activate the affected parts of the body are used.
- Special techniques: Special techniques are physical postures often imitating the natural positions of the animals meant to make the mind tranquil.
- Practices at Pranamaya Kosha(the layer of Prana):-
- Pranayama: Prana is the basic life principle. Pranayama is a process for gaining control over Prana. The five manifestations of Prana and the five Upa-prana.
Practices at Manomaya Kosha (The Mental Layer)
- Dharana: The culturing of the mind is accomplished by a relaxed dwelling of the mind.
- Dhyana: Relaxed dwelling of the mind in a single thought.
- Emotion culture: To handle and gain control over the basic cause for mental agitations.
Practices at Vijnanamaya Kosha(The Layer of Wisdom)
Lecture and Yogic counseling: It helps the person to change the attitude of greed and deep attachment to material possessions and enjoyments towards the realization that happiness is within and “each one of us” in our causal state is ‘Ananda’ embodied.
Practices at Anandamaya Kosha (The Layer of Bliss)
Working in blissful awareness: To bring the bliss of our causal body (Karana Sharira) called Anandamaya Kosha in all our actions is the key for a very happy and healthy life. This also brings our innate healing powers to effect, a complete cure of our ailments.
The secret lies in maintain an inner silence, equipoise at the mental level as we perform all our action. Normally we get upset or excited over things which we do not like or we like. But we have to learn to maintain equipoise (Samatva). The next step is to have a deep silence and a blissful awareness in the inner subtler layers of our mind while we are in action.
This is an accomplished by self awareness, constant drive to change oneself and auto-suggestions. To recognize that I am getting tensed’ is the first step. Correct by withdrawing to the inner compartment of total bliss, peace and rest.
