YOGA THERAPY

Yoga therapy is a type of therapy that utilizes various practices derived from yoga to improve a person's physical and mental health. It differs from a regular yoga class in that it is modified  according to the individual capacity, limitations to address individual needs. 

Yoga therapy takes care of an individual at pancha kosha level. All 5 layers (Annamaya Kosha, Pranamaya Kosha, Manomaya Kosha, Vignanmaya kosha, Anandamaya Kosha) are taken care through yoga therapy. Yoga therapy includes diet, lifestyle modification, Asana, Pranayama, Dharana and meditation, Bhajan, Satsang, kirtan , behavioral changes etc to improve ones physical and mental health.

YOGA THERAPY- principle

• Relax your body.
• Slow down your breath.
• Calm down your mind.

The integrated approach to yoga therapy (IAYT) model developed by Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samasthana (S-VYASA)  is based on the principle that the root of all psychosocial illnesses is in the mind; which causes an internal imbalance due to long standing stressful  situations of life.

In yoga therapy, the integrated approach emphasizes treating the whole person – mind, body, and spirit –  rather than just focusing on the physical symptoms.

Integrated Approach of Yoga Therapy is a holistic healing approach to maintain holistic health using simple practices which include breathing exercise, asanas, pranayama, kriyas, meditation, science of emotion culture and Special yogic techniques, Yogic counselling, diet and life style modification.

Pancha Kosha Model: This yogic concept views the human being as having five sheaths or layers: Annamaya (physical), Pranamaya (energy/breathing), Manomaya (mental), Vijnanamaya (wisdom), and Anandamaya (bliss). The integrated approach addresses imbalances in any of these layers through various yoga practices.

IAYT slows down the loop of uncontrolled speed of thoughts (stress) through several techniques to correct the imbalances, promote “mastery over the mind” and harmonize the disturbances at each of the five levels (Pancha Kosa). 

Practices of IAYT : 

The disturbance in the Manomaya kosha (mind) perlocates in the Annamaya kosha (physical layer) through Pranayama kosha. So, during the treatment of these psychosomatic ailments it is essential to work at all these levels to get the better results. Thus the integrated approach not only deals with physical sheath, it also includes techniques/practices to operate different sheaths of our existence. Yoga practices mentioned in ancient texts (vedas, upanishads etc) are adopted to balance and harmonies  disturbance at five koshas and tackle psychosomatic ailments.

Annamya Kosa:

Sattvik diet, Kriyas/shatkarmas( dhauti, basti, neti, kapalbhati, nauli, trataka) , sukshma vyama, loosening practices, asanas take care/develop this kosa/sheath.

Pranayama kosa :

Practice of  pranayama will start operating on pranamaya kosa level. Subtle types of pranayamas and breathing practices remove agitations from pranic flows in Pranamaya kosa.

Practice of pranayama Slows down breathing rate and restores autonomic balance thereby calming the mind.

Breathing exercises and cleansing breath: Increases awareness about breathing, clears the lungs, corrects breathing pattern, and increases lung capacity.

Manomaya Kosa :

It is observed that one starts breathing faster when mind is excited with negative emotions like anger, fear, depression, anxiety etc. And the breathing becomes slow when mid is resting and relaxed. Different types of  meditations, devotional sessions are helpful in calming down the mind. Yogic practices help  to develop "samatva" or equanimity in us which is the ability to remain calm in both favorable and adverse situation. Once this emotional stability is developed through yogic practices one can one can efficiently handle his/her own problem.

Vijnanmaya Kosa :

Yogic counselling, lectures, satsangs enhances and strengthen  our  knowledge which burns string attachments, obsessions, likes and dislikes, anger, jealousy etc which are strong factors of agitations. proper knowledge or understanding will develop this Vijnanmaya kosa.

Anandamaya kosa:

Tuning to nature, doing action in relaxation, karma yoga, seva etc lead to bliss. To bring bliss to our karana sharira called Anandamaya kosa in all our actions is the ley for happy and healthy life. This also bring our innate healing powers to effect, a complete cure of our ailments. The secret is maintaining  inner silence, equipoise at the mental level as we perform all our actions. The next step is to have a deep silence and a blissful awareness in the inner subtle layer of our mind while we are in action.

Thus, the IAYT can be understood as a holistic model, which corrects the imbalances at physical, mental and emotional levels. All components of the IAYT are mutually related  of each other to have its desired effect. No component singularly can claim to be the IAYT.

Some benefits of the integrated approach:

• Root Causes: By targeting the underlying imbalances, it aims to create long-term healing and prevent future issues.
• Holistic Well-being: It promotes physical, mental, and emotional well-being, fostering a sense of overall harmony.
• Self Care:  The approach encourages self-care and provides tools individuals can use to manage their health.