NATUROPATHY AND YOGA CENTRE
GENERAL INTRODUCTION :
In quest for optimal health, some people have discovered
Naturopathy, a 19th Century European system that incorporates even
older healing methods such as oriental medicine. It is a system based
on natural foods, light, massage, fresh air, regular exercise and the
avoidance of medication.
In the few years, naturopathy has once again received good
amount of attention. Therapist declined in the 1940s and 1950s when
pharmaceutical drugs and technological medicine took form hold of
the health community. At that time, the public bought into the magic
bullet theory and assumed that a particular pill would one day exit for
everyone of their ailments.
Naturopathy, unlike other complementary medical practitioner,
view the patients as a whole and not merely as a condition. Much
emphasis is placed on discovering the roof of an illness and a
patient’s lifestyle may be adjusted to correct and/or prevent an
ailment. The basic concept of nature cure or naturopathy is that
healing comes within the body itself and that by leading the correct
way of life many diseases can be prevented and cured. Naturopathy is
directed towards strengthening the body’s own resistance and
inherent capacity to heal itself.
It is curious that in India, we still seem to be moving in the
India public health care system is hospital based and therefore more
concerned with curing diseases than preventing them. It does not
reach all the sections of society as most of our population cannot
afford allopathic medicines and hospital cure. Indigenous system of
medicines are less expensive, easier to implement and in some case,
specially of chronic diseases like arthritis and asthma, often more
effective, there is hardly any attention given to health forming and
non-toxic means of strengthening the body’s immune system in
medical college. Naturopathy is, infact, a well recognised branch of
medicine, but it is still not widely prevalent for the promotion of
naturopathy on large scale, the government activities involvement is
necessary. Even a small percentage of the budget allocated to public
health could set up institute of naturopathy and yoga in every state
and thereafter, gradually, in every district. Thus the state could
greatly improve health and efficiency of the people and reduce
pressure on the over crowded hospitals. In order of the various system
of medicines, naturopathy should be the first one to be tried out but
unfortunately it is usually the last after a person has unsuccessfully
tried all others. This system certainly cures many diseases and bring
relief in others, although is demand patience and sacrifice.
Eventhough this system is uncomplicated inexpensive and effective, it
has not progressed much due to lack of organisation amontst the
naturopaths. An institute set up for research work as well as
treatment will help in advancing the cause of naturopathy. No belief in
the body’s inherent capacity to heal itself and is based on idea of living
in harmony with nature. It advocates aiding the human system
remove the cause of diseases, that is, toxins, by expelling the toxic
matter from the body for curing the diseases. It affirms that body is
not an infect machine which require external help whenever it fails to
function normally. It is capable of curing and preserving itself if given
opportunity. We fall ill only when we go against nature. Most diseases
are the outcome of disorder and indiscipline in every days life.
Discipline in diet, exercise, sleep timing, patterns and hygiene help
maintain good health while excessive interference in these causes the
body to disfunction and leads people to find desperate remedies which
very often cause further damage to the system. The more drastic the
remedy, greater is the damage and it becomes a vicious cycle.
Naturopathy is the only system which corrects this imbalance
and restores good health without the aid of any external agent. Health
is defined as the mental and physical wellbeing of an individual. Most
people are born with good health but this deteriorate thereafter if they
do not take care of their health.
The unbridled growth of industrialisation, accurated by modern
science and technology has created a situation which prevents man
from best owing adequate care and attention on his personal health
needs. The modern way of life is such that it has lot of stress, tension
and worries. People eat highly processed food and undertake little or
no physical exercise. The unhealthy way of life is especially marked in
highly urbanised area such as Mumbai.
Amongst the large cities many problems are –
Congestion and cramped living spaces
Poor water supply
Poor drainage system
Lack of large outdoor space and greenery
Air, noise and pollution.
All this cause unhygienic conditions and leads to diseases.
Naturopathy is a wonderful drugless process of heating but it is
not miraculous process. Even after relief or cure certain precautions
like diet control, exercises and some treatment are to be continued for
a long time. Yet it is beneficial compared to drugging which only
suppress the disease and may give rise to some other ailments.
Naturopathy works wonders on many but on all the acute and
chronic diseases for example, it is not advised in medical emergencies
and in diseases like cancer, heart trouble, strokes, kidney failure, etc.
for which modern medicine is preferable. Unfortunately, naturopathy
has not been developed to that level due to lack of research, resource,
attention, dedication and enthusiasm. Which naturopathy cures many
diseases and provides control or relief in some of the otherwise
incurable ones. It also helps one lead a healthy and disease free life
even during old age. This is possible only if one obey its rules and
develops the willpower or self control especially in eating habits.
Accumulation of waste products in the body by eating the wrong
types of foods, over eating or poor digestion and assimilation, is
considered to be one of the major cause of ill health. Nothing
eliminates these waste products more effectively than fasting and
enema.
Most of the diseases can be cured by cleaning the body through
natural, eliminative and physiological process. However, it does not
mean that other system of medicine are not good. Every medical field
has its own utility and significance especially allopathy which is the
most modern, advanced and widely accepted branch having enormous
and extensive research facilities with set standard. Allopathy has
gained pre-eminence mainly is a result of remarkable advances in
pharmacology and surgery. Yoga, if combined with naturopathy is
another important healing science, drugless and natural. It lays
stress on bodily and mental poise and products an equinity of spirit
that is most beneficial to the whole nervous system. It is a scientific
method for exercising and relaxing to ease the tensions and stresses
day leaving.
By itself, Yoga generally cannot cure most of the diseases which
naturopathy can but its role is equally useful in combination with
naturopathy and vice versa.
