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Principles of Yoga Chikitsa (Yoga Therapy)

Article · August 2009

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Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani

Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth (Deemed University)
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Yoga as a therapy-3: PRINCIPLES OF YOGA CHIKITSA
When we set out to practice Yoga Chikitsa (yoga as therapy) it is vital that we are conversant
with important principles of this unique system of healthy living. One of the outcomes of Yoga
practice is attainment of health. This implies as healthy a state that may be attained in spite of
our Sabija Karma that manifests in this lifetime as our genetic predispositions and the
environment we are born into. Yoga also helps maintain and sustain this dynamic state of health
after it has been attained though self effort. We must not however forget that it is often actually
more challenging to maintain this state than to attain it in the first place. Ask any World No.1
Sports Champion and they will testify to this inherent truth that applies to sports as well as to life
itself.
1. BECOME AWARE OF YOUR BODY, EMOTIONS AND MIND:
Without awareness there cannot be health or healing. Awareness of body implies
conscious body work that needs to be synchronized with breath to qualify as a
psychosomatic technique of health and healing. Psychosomatic disorders that are the bane
of the modern world cannot be tackled without awareness.

2. IMPROVE YOUR DIETARY HABITS:

Most disorders are directly or indirectly linked to improper dietary patterns that need to
be addressed in order to find a permanent solution to the health challenge. One of the
most important lifestyle changes that needs be implemented in management of any
lifestyle disorder is diet.

3. RELAX YOUR WHOLE BODY:

Relaxation is most often all that most patients need in order to improve their physical
condition. Stress is the major culprit and may be the causative, aggravating, or
precipitating factor in so many psychosomatic disorders. Doctors are often found telling
their patients to relax, but never tell them how to do it! The relaxation part of every Yoga
session is most important for it is during it that benefits of practices done in the session
seep into each and every cell producing rest, rejuvenation, reinvigoration and
reintegration.

4. SLOW DOWN YOUR BREATH MAKING IT QUIET AND DEEP:

Rapid, uncontrolled, irregular breathing is a sign of ill health whereas slow, deep and
regular controlled breathing is a sign of health. Breath is the link between body and mind
and is the agent of physical, physiological and mental unification. When the breath is
slowed down the metabolic processes also are slowed and anabolic activities begin the
process of healing and rebuilding. If breath is calm, mind is calm and life is long!

5. CALM DOWN YOUR MIND AND FOCUS IT INWARDLY:

 The mind is as disturbed as a drunken monkey bitten by a scorpion say our scriptures. To
bring that wayward agitated mind under control, and take it on a journey into our inner
being is fundamental in finding a way out of the ‘disease maze’ in which we are
entangled like a fly in the spider’s web. Breath work is the base on which this mind
training can occur and hence much importance needs to be given to Pranayama and
Pratyahara in Yoga Chikitsa. It is only after this that concentration practices leading to
meditation can have any use. Just sitting and thinking about something is not meditation!

6. IMPROVE THE FLOW OF HEALING ‘PRANIC LIFE ENERGY’:

Improve the flow of Healing ‘Pranic Life Energy’ to all parts of your body, especially to
those diseased parts, thus relaxing, regenerating and reinvigorating yourself. Prana is life
and without it there cannot be healing. The various Prana Vayus that are energies driving
different physiological functions of the body need to be understood and applied as per
needs of the patient. In patients of digestive disorders, focus must be on the Samana Vayu
whereas in pelvic conditions it needs to be on Apana Vayu.

7. FORTIFY YOURSELF AGAINST OMNIPRESENT STRESSORS:

Decrease your stress level by fortifying yourself against the various omnipresent stressors
in your life: when face to face with the innumerable thorns in a forest, you may either
choose to spend all your time picking them up one by one while others continue falling or
choose to wear a pair of shoes and walk through the forest. The difference is in attitude.
Choosing the right attitude can change everything and bring about a resolution of the
problem by healing the core. Stress is more about how you react to the stressor than about
the stressor itself!

8. INCREASE YOUR SELF RELIANCE AND SELF CONFIDENCE:

Life is full of challenges that are there only to make us stronger and better. The
challenges should be understood as opportunities for change and faced with confidence.
We must understand we have the inner power to overcome each and every challenge that
is thrown at us by life. The Divine is not a sadist to give us challenges that are beyond our
capacity!

9. FACILITATE NATURAL EMANATION OF WASTES:

Facilitate the natural emanation of waste from your body by the practice of Yoga Shuddi
Kriyas such as Dhauti, Basti and Neti. Accumulation and stagnation of waste materials
either in inner or outer environment always causes problems. Yogic cleaning practices
held to wash out the impurities (Mala Shodhana) helping the process of regeneration and
facilitating healing.

10. TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR OWN HEALTH:

 Remember that ultimately it is “YOU” who are responsible for your own health and well
being and must take the initiative to develop positive health to tide you over challenging
times of ill health. Yoga fixes responsibility for our health squarely upon our own
shoulders. If we do healthy things we are healthy and if we do unhealthy things we
become sick. No use complaining that we are not well when we have been the cause of
our problem. As Swamiji Gitananda Giri would say, “You don’t have problems-you are
the problem!”

11. HEALTH AND HAPPINESS ARE YOUR BIRTHRIGHT:

Health and happiness are your birthright, claim them and develop them to your maximum
potential. This message of Swamiji is a firm reminder that the goal of human existence is
not health and happiness but is Moksha (liberation). Most people today are so busy trying
to find health and happiness that they forget why they are here in the first place. Yoga
helps us regain our birthrights and attain the goal of human life.

When we remember to inculcate these principles of Yoga Chikitsa in our practice and help our
patients to understand them thus assimilating them in their own lives, we are practicing Yoga
Chikitsa. If not it is again merely -Yogopathy!

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