Understanding Yoga – 7 Principles of Yoga Therapy

7 Principles of Yoga therapy

“Sam dosha dhatuh sam agni mallah kriya
Prassana atma indriya manah Svasthya ityabhidiyatet”
- Sushruta Samhita

A balanced state of the main elements of our body (dosha & dhatu), adequate digestion (agni), proper excretion (malah kriya), blissful condition of atma, satisfied senses (indriyas) & a happy state of mind (manas) when encompassed in a person then he can be called as Healthy (svasthya)

Considering this as the basis of life, the various traditional healing methods in India, are more holistic in their approach. The concept is to create a healthy body, an alert mind, an emotionally stable state & a spiritually enlightened life. When we view “Yoga” therapeutically, then we obviously would need to explore the various practices of Yoga under physical, mental, emotional & spiritual sub-headings.

The following have been pronounced as “Limbs of Yoga therapy”

1. Yama, Niyama, Mitaahara – Codes of Conduct & Diet regulations
2. Kriya – Cleansing practices
3. Asana – Physical Postures
4. Pranayama – Breathing techniques
5. Mudra/ bandha – Neuro-muscular locks
6. Relaxation
7. Dhyana – Meditation

Each of these 7 limbs are applied for every disorder, to treat “holistically”. Each of the practices in Yoga cannot be practiced in absolute isolation because for a complete effect, permutations or combinations of the practices are required. However, each one of them target a specific benefit & can be applied in varied ways.

Yama |niyama |mitahara

All three are grouped together as 1 limb. These are highly significant in treating the root cause of the disorder, yamas & niyamas being the codes of conduct, which are given before initiating the Yoga sessions. As per the disorder or the overall analysis, a combination of yamas & niyamas are suggested. In a case of Insomnia, “Sauca” is specially suggested, because a lot of times, insomnia occurs as a result of unclean vicinity. Also a few sleep rituals are taught as part of Sauca for inducing sleep.

“Mitahara” means appropriate diet. As per the problem an overall analysis of the condition of the body is done & an appropriate diet is suggested. This is very important to follow as it directly impacts the effect of the yoga practices. Theoretically, in Yoga, it is believed that diet directly impacts the state of mind. Hence, an apt diet, in relevance to the problem, when suggested leads to a sattvic state of mind. The increase in sattva quotient, further makes the body light & the practices easier.

Kriya – The second step in Yoga therapy, Kriyas are cleansing practices, meant for balancing the vata, pitta & kapha in the body (these are the three body constituents, that define the overall systems of the body. Each of them are responsible for various functions of the body & vitiation of any of these dosa {pron.do-sha-s} causes disorders. Kriyas help is balancing the state of the vitiated dosas. The 6 kriyas & their various varieties applied in Yoga therapy, as  mentioned in Hatha Yoga & Gheranda Samhita are as follows

Neti – for reducing excess kapha, especially above the shoulders.

1. Jal neti  - used for sinusitis
2. Sutra neti – used for cough/ cold

Dhauti – for correcting vitiated/ disturbed kapha & pitta.

1. Jal dhauti – reduces acidity very effectively
2. Vastra dhauti – very helpful in removing excess phlegm (kapha)
3. Danda dhauti
4. iv. Agnisara – provokes gastric fire
5. v. Jivha dhauti

Nauli – for pacifying vitiated pitta

1. Vam
2. Madhyam
3. Dakshin

Basti – for pacifying vitiated vata

1. Jala basti
2. Sthala basti

Trataka – cures eye – disorders, develops concentration

Kapalabhati – for expelling excess phlegm in the skull & brings a shine to it.

Asana

These are postures of various kinds, affecting the internal organs & the various systems of the body. Depending upon the issue, in consideration, the asanas are decided. Breathing plays a crucial role while performing asanas & each posture should be extremely comfortable for the body as these are postures that give stability & happiness in the body. Some of the most common asanas used in therapy:

1. pascimottanasana
2. tadaasana
3. trikonasana
4. vrikshasana
5. baddhakonasana
6. pawanmukta asana
7. bhujangasana
8. shalabhasana
9. padmasana
10. ardhamatsyendra asana

Pranayama

The world literally implies “ lengthening/ a pause in the movement of breath”. “Prana” means breath & “ayama” means to lengthen, extend (also pause). These are practices where periodically extension & retention of the breath is done.

There are 8 kinds of pranayamas described in Hatha Yoga, out of which 7 are mostly applied for the purpose of therapy. These are:

1. Ujjayee – reduces kapha, cures throat infections
2. Nadi shodana/ Anuloma Viloma – regularizes flow of breath in the body
3. Shitkari – cools the system, relieves thirst
4. Sheetali – soothes the eyes, ears
5. Bhramari – brings happiness, relaxes mind
6. Bhastrika – drains out the excess kapha in sinuses
7. Surya bhedi – reduces vata, improves digestion

Mudra/ Bandha

These are neuro-muscular locks of 8 kinds and are practiced at various points on the body. Mudras can be understood as practices which are a combination of asana like postures & kumbhakas (restraining the breath) as done in pranayamas. They give lightness of the body, improves digestion & purifies the breathing channels. These purify the mind & prepare the body for better meditation.

The ones that are most commonly applied for therapy are:

1. Maha Mudra – for treating diabetes
2. Maha bandha – for treating digestive system disorders
3. Viparit karni – for treating thyroid dys-function
4. Manduki mudra – for stimulating the thyroid/ para-thyroid glands
5. bandha – for stimulating digestion
6. Jaladhara bandha – for stimulating thyroid gland
7. Mula Bandha – for curing excretory system disorders

Relaxation

In Yoga, shavasana & Yoga nidra are the two techniques of inducing relaxation. It is considered as a very crucial part of Yoga therapy as it completely pacifies the mind, quietens the body functions & helps in centering oneself preparing the mind, body & the breath for dhyana.

Physiologically also this is regarded as a very important aspect as it has been observed that during shavasana, the body enters an anabolic state  of metabolism, during which the cells repair, rejuvenate leading to increase in production of proteins & bone growth.

Dhyana

This is the most significant aspect of Yoga therapy as this is the only step where “Yoga” is attained. Meditation/ dhyana can be defined as a practice of reaching a state of absolute mental peace, relaxed body. It results in immense energy through out the body & brings clarity in mind.

To pacify the disturbing modifications of the mind, is the final stage of Yoga &    all the limbs of yoga (in Ashtanga yoga) or in Yoga-therapy are performed for experiencing this.

Meditation enjoys special place & relevance in therapy as the effect of the same has been strongly experienced in disorders such as hypertension, depression (other psychosomatic disorders), stress and cardiac problems. Many researches, over the years have shown tremendous benefit by adapting meditation in cardio vascular disorders as it lowers the heart rate & reduces blood pressure. Based on a body constituent analysis, meditation techniques of different kinds can be applied for various disorders.

The above 7 are the limbs of Yoga therapy & application in combination/ conjugation makes the whole therapy effective. Before initiating any session, a detailed case-history of the participant should be taken & very selectively practices are then designed based on his body analysis & state of mind. Each of the limbs play a significant role & one’s effect leads to a better effect of the other one. Synchronizing the 7 limbs, appropriately, yoga -therapy works.