Yoga Therapy- A full spectrum approach to healing
In very simplest terms, yoga therapy is: using all the tools in yoga’s mind-body tool kit to create the best possible balance and wellness at all levels of human experience.
Yoga has a unique perspective to health and wellness that begins with connecting and directing awareness within.
Yoga therapy seeks to:
- Increase your attunement and self awareness to your body and its sensations
- Increase your mind’s ease and focus
- Cultivate your spiritual well-being and relatedness
These are all dynamic processes that change over time, so fine-tuning your self-observations and awareness gives you the best likelihood of building and maintaining vibrant health and wellness.
Yoga and Yoga therapy start from the belief that the condition of the mind, the body and the emotional, psychological and spiritual status all connect, and all influence each other. Improving the health and balance in any one of these dimensions of our experience will bring better health and well-being in the other dimensions as well.
Viniyoga therapy starts where the practitioner would like to begin.
Physical tightness, weakness, discomfort or tension can be improved with individually chosen movements and asanas ( postures) and careful attention to alignment, and balanced stretching and strengthening.
Psychological anxiety, lethargy, depression or irritation can change through using breathwork, meditation, mindfulness, and mantra (repetition of meaningful and uplifting words and sounds.)
Physiological imbalances (indigestion, circulation, metabolism) can shift with diet or exercise, in addition to any of the previously noted interventions.
Emotional and spiritual outlook can shift by directing awareness to one’s existing spiritual or religious beliefs with a deliberate focus. Each facet we enhance exerts a significant positive influence on how other dimensions of one’s experience play out.
Yoga Therapy is NOT intended to replace or contradict any regimen your MD or other health provider has prescribed for you. It is complimentary in nature: designed to work hand in hand with your current treatment, to enhance your ease, energy and well-being overall.
Ayurveda: vital partner in healing
Ayurveda translates as “Wisdom of Life”. These ancient practices recognize and utilize the basic forces in Nature which have a predictable pattern of influence on us humans. In the macrocosm, the weather and seasons affect us in a recurring cycle. In the microcosm, the diet we follow, our routines and habits in terms of self care are under our control and we can maximize the benefit we get from our regimens. We also come with our own unique pattern of influences called the constitution or doshas. This individual, native disposition creates another set of effects that we can influence. By understanding the doshas and our personal patterns of balance or imbalance, we can take steps to re-balance these internal and external influences. When our doshas are more balanced, illnesses have a harder time taking hold or maintaining effect.
Taking Control of your health
Reaching to the root of your health involves careful self observation, over time. It involves increasingly removing the negative ( We can call this Viyoga) and increasing the positive (Samyoga) in all their manifestations. Some problems may be interrupted or reversed in their negative impacts. Some issues will be with us long term, but it is possible that the symptoms can be eased, or their interference on our functioning made less severe. If we can improve our condition even slightly then we may decide it is worth the effort to feel better, optimize and build vitality where we may without further draining the personal energy reserves.
Sometimes the calculation is rather straightforward: If the disease begins with an infection or an auto immune disease, we need to minimize or avoid any actions that add stress. We need to increase vitality. The body has an immune response and healing mechanisms that we can support or enhance.
Often it is more complicated. How do we energize without over-doing it? How do we soothe inflammation or irritation?
Usually it is a careful progression: The build up of vitality needs to evolve carefully so as not to overtax the system. This is especially true if the immune system or nervous system has been under duress, coping with an illness or imbalance for some time already.
“Yoga teaches us to cure what need not be endured and endure what cannot be cured.” – B.K.S.Iyengar
Link: From My Teacher Robin Rothenberg
Link :From my Teacher Gary Kraftsow
Work with me and learn how to address your specific needs, with expert guidance and compassionate witness to move you toward your distinct expression of well-being and vibrant health.