Therapeutic Yoga Theory

Therapeutic Yoga Theory

Therapeutic yoga is basically a yoga therapy method. Undesirable lifestyle, wrong habits, lack of life and health related knowledge and unbalanced diet result in diseases and disorders.

Since the root cause of disease is our own mistakes and the correction of mistakes is the prevention of disease. In both the situations, we have our own responsibility and participation in causing and removing the disease. Realizing one's responsibility towards health is a positive attitude and in the same interest; Yoga experts only guide.

Yoga-therapy has two aspects:

1.      Proper and balanced diet

2.      Appropriate Yoga Practice

Proper and Balanced Diet

The purpose of a proper diet is not only to eat a balanced diet but also to remove those things from the daily diet which are considered harmful.

The food in which all the nutrients are in the required quantity and in the right proportion is called balanced. The amount of food varies according to age, sex and physical condition and activity. A balanced diet provides the body with 50-60% calories, 10-15% protein and 20-30% more indirect fat.

A balanced diet also contains other beneficial elements like fibrous elements, anti-oxidants, phytochemicals etc. Antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, riboflavin and selenium protect the body from radical damage. Turmeric, ginger, garlic, cumin and cloves are rich in antioxidants. Phytochemicals like protect against oxidative damage.

Balanced Diet

1.      Various food items are not only necessary for taste but also for nutrition and health.

2.      Cereals and pulses are the main sources of nutrients.

3.      Milk is rich in protein and calcium and is essential for infants, children and women.

4.      Dry fruits enhance the quality of diet and give energy.

5.      Vegetables and fruits are rich in substances that protect the body, such as vitamins and minerals.

6.      Eggs, meat and fish also increase the quality of the diet, but vegetarians get all the nutrients from cereals, pulses, vegetables, fruits and milk products.

Dietary Guidelines

1.      Eat only 85% of hunger; Never full.

2.      Drink at least 10-12 glasses of water daily; Never drink water with food, take water at least half an hour after food.

3.      Take a mixed balanced diet of different food items.

4.      Make balanced use of oil in food, minimize the use of foods obtained from animals such as ghee / butter / vegetation.

5.      Non-vegetarians can have fish or chicken as per their wish.

6.      Minimize consumption of fried, roasted or spicy food and if possible, avoid it completely; Avoid excessive salt, red chilies, pickles and chutneys.

7.      There should be a gap of at least two hours between dinner and bedtime.

8.      If possible, leave the habit of having bed tea in the morning or drinking water as soon as you wake up.

9.      Do not exceed a total of two cups of tea or coffee in a day.

10.   Do not take cold and artificial beverages.

11.   Eat food rich in micronutrients and stay active in old age.

Suitable Yoga Practice

Yoga practice is beneficial according to the disease and physical capabilities. In many cases, regular practice of only a few asanas is sufficient to cure the disease. Regular practice of Pranayama along with Yoga asana gives better results. In some circumstances, special actions - bandhas, mudras and other yogic measures are also used and in some cases the practice of dharana and meditation is also required.

It is found that most of the diseases can be cured by practicing yoga for two months. In some circumstances it may take four months or more; Diseases and disorders that take a longer time include juvenile diabetes, polio, paralysis, Parkinson's disease, obesity, ulcers, and mental disorders.

It has been observed that with the initiation of Yoga asanas and Kriyas, the discomfort subsides and normal health begins to be restored. Along with the prevention of disease, there is an increase in physical strength, the asanas which seem difficult in the beginning also become easy.

Yoga practice guidelines

To benefit from yoga, it is essential to understand the expectations and principles related to the practice.

Time: Morning time before breakfast is considered best for practicing yoga, but yoga can be done in the evening or at any other time. The thing to keep in mind is that the stomach should be empty at that time. Generally, start yoga practice after a gap of three to four hours after meals. Make sure to keep a gap of at least half an hour between drinking water, tea or any juice.

Yoga should be practiced at the same time every day. The time for yoga practice should be convenient so that it can be practiced with a calm mind. At least five to six days of practice is necessary in a week to see improvement in the physical condition. Unless otherwise instructed by the Yogacharya, limit the practice of Yoga to only once in twenty-four hours.

Place: Practice on the floor, not on a stool or bed. Spread a carpet, thick sheet, blanket or mat on the ground. The place of practice should be clean and well ventilated. Keep the windows open so that fresh air can circulate continuously. Fans can be used in summer but avoid blowing cold air in winter. If the place is air-conditioned, there should be no feeling of suffocation there.

Silence: Silence should be kept during yoga practice. Do not listen to any type of conversation, mental activity, even music. Silence is helpful for conserving physical energy and for concentration in practice.

Relaxation: There are two types of relaxation in yoga, short term and long term. A rest of six to eight seconds is called short-term. It is taken between the repetitions of the asana or between two different asanas. Breathing twice after the end of an asana gives a short-term relaxation.

Long rest is taken at the end of asanas, pranayama and other activities done at one time. The general principle is to set aside a quarter of the practice time for prolonged rest. For example, if one has practiced yoga for 20 minutes, then at the end one should take a long rest of five minutes.

Corpse posture is a better way to relax. Those who are not able to do dead body posture should leave the body loose and lie down on the ground and while breathing normally, close the eyes and imagine a beautiful place like a garden, a park or a mountain. Eating or any other daily work should be started only after a long rest of five-six minutes.

Clothes: There should be minimum clothes on the body while doing yoga. Men can wear half-pants or pajamas with underwear. Women can wear a saree, slacks or stretchable pants with a blouse. In winter, light woolen clothes can be worn during yoga.

Bath: It is not necessary to bathe first in the morning to practice yoga; It depends on convenience and personal interest. Many people like to practice yoga after bath because the body gets energized after bath and yoga practice can be done in a complete manner. This also awakens the feeling of purity towards yoga. If you have a habit of taking bath with hot water, then wait for at least fifteen minutes after practicing yoga.

Method of practice: To take full advantage of yoga, asanas should be done in a systematic way. Since this is a scientific method, it is necessary to do it methodically. Asanas, Pranayama, Andha and Mudras not done according to the certified method are just exercises and do not provide therapeutic benefits.

Not all people can attain perfection in Yogasanas, but they can definitely do Yogasanas according to the method. The advice is to do yoga according to the limit or strength of the body, only as much as it is capable of. If it is not possible to do complete Yogasana, then do only half or even less, but do it methodically.

Female diseases: Women should not practice yoga during menstruation (menstruation). Prevention of many problems of women and treatment of various problems of menstruation is easily possible through yoga.

Yoga practice should be stopped after the fourth month of pregnancy. Pregnant women should practice yoga after the fourth month only under the protection of a Yogacharya. Yoga practice also helps in staying healthy and happy during pregnancy. Practicing yoga in the early days of pregnancy is healthy for the fetus and ensures a painless birth as well as reduces labor pain.

Duration of Yoga practice: Yoga practice can be done for a longer time in winter than in summer. Practice yoga daily for a maximum of forty-five minutes in winter. In summer this time limit is thirty minutes.