Archive for July 29th, 2009

Written By Diana Timmins

Yoga is the ultimate science of health: the path of true enlightenment and tranquility through union of mind, body and spirit as nature intended. Considering the Sanskrit word ‘yoga’ translates to ‘yoking’, all various forms of Yoga share the same aim. That is, to acquire clarity through stillness of the mind and optimum health through a deep connection between all facets of one’s being. Ancient Indian Yogic philosophies are receiving increasing recognition within the Western world in terms of its power to have a profound impact on one’s entire lifestyle, while working hand-in-hand with modern medicine to achieve balanced health of mind, body and spirit.

Yoga may initially be perceived by those new to the techniques to be rather that of a surface transformation, and sometimes regarded with an air of trepidation when anxieties of bodily contortions and accompanying paraphernalia clutter the mind. However Yoga goes far beyond its physical characteristics. In fact, the main traditional Indian Yogas withhold strong psychological and spiritual themes of worship and praise for both the Divine One and one’s true self (Atman), teaching the student the art of staying within the present moment and hushing the mental turbulence that commonly pervades one’s brain. Taking the time to slow the mind and body in Corpse Pose (Sivasana) has been linked with improved heart rate and blood pressure, servicing our vital organs and allowing us to experience the sensation of being deceased without having to die for it. In this position, one works towards ultimate detachment and the ability to just be, and not do, as is not often hardwired in our daily functioning.

After some time of being shelved as a mysterious Indian cult, Yogic philosophies that are at least 5,000 years old now have credibility within the world of modern science, which in comparison sits at roughly 500 years of age. Unlike the disease and treatment foundations of modern medicine, Yoga is a treatment of prevention that defies the assumed inevitabilities of aging, rids the body of toxins and evokes an overall mental, physical and spiritual awakening and transformation.

Yogacharya Dr. Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani of Pondicherry Ashram, India, has had a profound universal influence in both modalities of medicine, that is Yoga therapy and modern medicine. Son of the respected Yogamaharishi Dr. Swami Gitananda Giri, Chairman of International Centre of Yoga Education and Research (ICYER) and Honorary Advisor of International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT), Dr. Ananda has dedicated his life to bridging the gap between these modalities. His extensive research, educated knowledge and commitment to a Yogic way of life has brought him to the conclusion that ‘the bridge between mind and body has been disintegrated which is psycho-somatic unbalance which is disease’ and that the ‘journey back to health must start with the body’ (Dr. Ananda, 2009). While Dr. Ananda maintains that both modalities have a place in one another’s principles, he puts strong emphasis on Yoga’s potential to normalize one’s system to maintain best possible health within the restrictions of their individual karma.

As the general pace of life becomes busier and one exceedingly sidetracked by materialistic desires, this disintegration between mind and body occurs, and perception of reality commonly becomes distorted by ego, and hence ignorance. The practice of Yoga regains a sense of truth and brings about not just equanimity of the mind, but equanimity of one’s entire existence which is comprised of five Koshas; Annamaya Kosha (anatomical level), Pranayama Kosha (physiological level), Manomaya Kosha (psychological level), Vjnanamaya Kosha (intellectual level) and Anandamaya Kosha (universal level). These five layers of existence make a human whole and are vital to overall health; therefore attention is to be paid to all areas to ensure overall balance and coordination. This is possible with the help of Yoga therapy, in which the prevention, endurance and treatment of specific ailments is attended to by use of suitable Yogic practices. Yoga therapy culminates a number of modalities in order to attain this higher state of awareness: physical, emotional, psychological, mental, spiritual, preventative and pain relief therapies. It is fair to say the most famously adopted practice amongst Westerners is the physical practice of Asanas. However, more interest is exceedingly generated in other aspects of the art, such as; Kriyas, Mudras, Bandhas and, more commonly, Dhyana.

Normalization and overall human alignment can only occur if the entire human being is treated, taking into consideration their five Koshas and the body’s seven energy centres, known as the Chakras. This is the way in which Yoga therapy addresses the health of the human body. Every cell in the human body has a polarity, both a negative and positive charge, and in modern times it is common for one to lean towards a negative awareness of their body which is known to decrease immunity and affect the nervous systems. Yoga regains that positive sense and, as Dr. Ananda claims, ‘the ease which may have been lost through dis-ease’ (2009, pp.18). In Yogic practices increased awareness of the breath is pivotal and viewed as the link between all polarities of one’s being; inner and outer voice and consciousness, body and mind. In line with the goal to attain balance through breath-controlled Asanas, anything performed on the left is always performed on the right, just as any postures performed in back-bend is to then be complemented by a forward-bend unless a genuine medical reason is given for this not to be done.

In the healing breathing exercise of Pranayama, particular attention is often paid to either the left or the right nostril individually, which is used heavily in the attainment and circulation of healing Pranic life energy stored within one’s solar plexus, hence the enhancement of our physical, mental and spiritual health. Breathing through the left nostril (Chandra Nadi Prana) is particularly useful for stress-related conditions, for example; hypertension, diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, acute migraines, gastro-intestinal ulcer diseases, depression, anxiety and insomnia. Whereas right nostril breathing (Surya Nadi Prana) has a hypo-metabolic effect on the body and works best for those who need activation, or may suffer from hyperthyroidism or bronchial conditions such as asthma. As breathing through the right nostril activates the left brain and vice-versa, inhaling and exhaling through both nostrils simultaneously can create a sense of mental turbulence and deterioration of health. Knowing this, it is clear that Pranayama can be used to effectively treat conditions of both mind and body, hence enhancing one’s personality and overall health.

In the modern world, stress-related disorders have unfortunately become more common, along with that the prescription of anti-depressant drugs. It is known that medications and stress-related illnesses themselves can have a number of accompanying side-effects that then too need to be treated in a vicious cycle. These include stiffness of the joints, rapid weight fluctuation, high blood pressure, fatigue, and dark feelings of alienation. Sadly, more serious health deficiencies as extreme as cancer can be the result of such disorders when not thoroughly treated. In line with this fact, Dr. Ananda has broken down sickness into four phases in his research and dealings with patients and students. These four stages are: psychic (one’s moods and emotions), psycho-somatic (during which the psychic phase starts to take temporary affect on body), somatic (permanent condition) and organic (settled in the organs) phase. Yoga therapy can potentially cure a condition when a patient is in either of the first two phases only, and research has shown it can also be used to stabilize and improve a condition when in the following two. Yoga therapy aims to bring a patient to a state of natural health in which they are able to reduce or completely terminate their medication, therefore also reducing or eliminating accompanying physical and mental side effects.

Part of Yoga therapy’s success is its profound ability to restore and rejuvenate one’s vitality and smooth even flow of Prana throughout the entire body by the use of previously outlined practices and adopting a nourishing diet. A Yogi pays careful attention to the purification of their body through a regimented lacto/vegetarian (Sattvic) diet free from preservatives, stimulants and toxins. Awareness of where food derives from should be highly regarded when considering one’s health; natural meat-free foods only are consumed by a Yogi, considered wholesome foods for the soul as much as for the body. Little intake of required nutrition can lead to negative mind-states such as irritability and listlessness, not to mention a downfall in the functioning of the physical body. Westerners often rely on night-time slumber alone to recuperate and restore energy levels, only to then undermine their bodies again the following day with consumption of fast foods and recreational drugs, as well as exposure to stress. Experienced Yogis residing in Ashrams often sleep very little in comparison as their daily practices aid in attaining, positively releasing and renewing energy.

Our entire beings are interconnected physically, mentally and spiritually. As the body is the vehicle for one’s journey it is important to service and optimize the health of that vehicle. This allows us to reach a point of clarity and embark on both inner and outer transformations to enrich our overall life experience. This transformation may occur by yogic healing of disease, as too it may occur by its control and endurance of ailments. This concept was proved by a study conducted by the University of California and the Preventative Medicine Research Institute (2008) to determine the affect meditation had on prostate cancer sufferers. While the physical condition itself was not cured through the practice, it was found their sense of well-being was remarkably enhanced, allowing them to sleep better and acquire a deeper sense of happiness and quality of life.

It is interesting Yoga therapy concepts and principles were known intuitively by Yogis in Ancient Indian Scriptures and practiced without the use of copious amounts of medical equipment often used for modern medicine and its research. This in mind, we can see how following Yogic practices opens our eyes to a natural existence that evokes union of self and consciousness. It is through such means that one may learn the true art of patience and being present in the moment, as one slowly works one’s way into more advanced Asanas and Pranayamas and thus gradual results enjoyed from such acquired skills. This is where the main difference lies between the treatment of health using Yoga therapy and modern medicine: whilst Yoga tends to offer more progressive and long-lasting improvements in health, modern medicine is more likely to offer what may be considered as instant solutions, or ‘band-aid jobs’.

Yoga therapy and modern medicine often have opposing views. Therefore if we bring both views together we are able to obtain a more integrated knowledge of effective treatment of one’s mental, physical and spiritual health than if we were to simply utilize one alone. As the art of Yoga provides foundational grounding there is truly no other way of life as natural or rewarding as a Yogic’s way. Dr. Ananda is living proof of this, having proudly followed in the footsteps of his father, who claimed just prior to his death that ‘modern medicine kept me alive, but Yoga gave me my life back’ (Dr. Ananda, 2009). This statement alone brings us back to the very heart of Yoga therapy’s importance in one’s life: with prescribed medications, acute treatments and operations we may be physically kept alive, but union of mind, body and spirit through Yogic practices returns us to the core of our authentic selves and existence, and awakens us to true health and happiness.
 
BIBLIOGRAPHY

Iyengar, B.K.S. and Menuhin, Y. (1966) Light On Yoga, 2nd ed, George Allen & Unwin Ltd, London.

Hewitt, J. (1977) The Complete Yoga Book, Schocken Books, New York.

Vishnu-devananda, S. (ed. 3) The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga, Three Rivers Press, New York.

The Sivananda Yoga Centre (2000) The Sivananda Companion to Yoga, Simon & Schuster, New York.

Yogacharya Dr. Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani (2009) ‘Therapeutic Potential of Yoga’, Yoga Life, Vol. 40 No. 3, pp.14-19.

Yogacharya Dr. Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani (2009) The Psychosomatic and Therapeutic Applications of Gitananda Yoga – A One Day Intensive Seminar, Sydney.

Diana Timmins is a Certified Yoga Instructor.  She teaches Yoga classes in Woonona, New South Wales, Australia.