ADJUNCTIVE HEALING MODALITIES

YOGA

What is Yoga?

The term Yoga literally means union, specifically the harmonization of body, mind, emotions, and spirit. In India, where Yoga originated over 6000 year ago this process of union takes many forms, but the discipline that is usually referred to when one says Yoga is Hatha Yoga, the union of opposites. Ha means sun, and tha, means moon, representing our polarities. Therefore Hatha Yoga is the part of Yoga, which seeks to unite our polarities or inner conflicts into a state of harmony. Through a series of physical postures known as asanas, Hatha Yoga teaches us to quiet the mind by turning our awareness inward and focusing attention on the breath and physical movement or stillness of the body. Therefore, Yoga is not only a series of physical postures but also an exercise in mental awareness. The ultimate goal of Yoga is mind/body balance, mind/body awareness, and union with the Divine, the supreme consciousness that lies within us and surrounds us.

Why Yoga?

In the beginning, gentle stretching, rhythmic breathing, and deep relaxation techniques are taught. Through regular practice, many quickly experience deeper body awareness, normalized blood pressure, the relief of back problems, the relief of sore muscles and joints, a steadier metabolism, and an overall increase in the quality of life as daily tasks become easier. The asanas promote the flow of energy throughout the body which assists in eliminating toxins form the joints, glands, and organs, cleansing and stimulating them.

Mental and emotional health is enhanced by bringing you into the reality of each moment. The body is often a mirror of our current mental state. If you are depressed, the body stoops forward and the heart and lungs are sunken. Tense stomach muscles due to anxiety often bring about digestive problems. In Yoga, we use the body to create an optimal blueprint of our physical and emotional health

Physical Benefits: Why Stretch?

1. Muscles contract through movement, getting shorter and shorter, which cause tightness, stress, and eventually spasms, pain, and inflexibility.

2. Stretching elongates muscles so that blood and oxygen may be absorbed. Think of a sponge. When it is contracted it can't absorb liquid.

3. Synovial fluid lubricates the surface of joints making movements smooth and the bones soft. Movement stimulates the flow of synovial fluid. Lack of movement may eventually cause arthritis where joints become dry and brittle.

4. Muscular balance. Tight muscles on one of the four sides of the body usually result in weaker muscles on one of the other, thereby causing an imbalance. This imbalance can result in pain and bone destruction.

5. Ligaments connect bone to bone to support joints. When the ligaments aren't stretched, they can collapse, and the muscles must work harder eventually hardening and becoming immobile.

Mental Benefits:

1. Flexibility of body leads to flexibility of mind. It is easier first to relax the body by sensing what we feel than to empty the mind.

2. Relaxation is the most effective way to relieve stress. Physical activity can also help but may be stressful in other ways.

3. Savasana, relaxation pose, is a pose of surrender. Blood pressure, pulse rate, brain waves, and metabolism all slow down allowing the body to take a deep rest where stress relief and mental healing can more easily occur.

4. When the body is fully relaxed the brain reaches a higher state of consciousness where some of the greatest insights may occur. The breath is often used to help place the mind in this deep state of awareness.

Disease Conditions Helped By Yoga:

Many ailments and disease states are helped by a consistent application of Yoga principles. Yoga should be a part of a larger program of what you might do to cure yourself and enter a higher state of wellness. Some diseases helped, and perhaps, even cured would include: stress (physical and mental), high blood pressure (hypertension), headaches, muscle aches and pains (including fibromyalgia), fatigue (acute and chronic; chronic fatigue syndrome).

In general, Yoga helps you to learn to be in the moment, take it for what it is, and to relieve physical and mental stress through body and mind control. The techniques can be practiced in any place and at any time.

About Wellness:

If we were to grade what in our lives is most important, it would not be money, success, or even family! Although these things are very important, good health really is THE MOST because without good health, one can hardly enjoy money, success, family, and relationships.

What are some of the most common styles of Hatha Yoga and how do they differ?

Ashtanga Is a style of Yoga involving synchronizing the breath with a progressive series of postures, a process producing intense internal heat and a profuse, purifying sweat that detoxifies muscles and organs.

Many classes at Tauraso Medical Clinic are Anusara in style

A-nu-sar-a means flowing with Grace or following your heart.

Anusara Yoga is a unique form of Hatha Yoga, which beautifully integrates universal biomechanical principles of alignment and breath work, with equal emphasis on building strength and flexibility, balanced energetic action, and the celebration of the heart in the experience of each pose. A feeling of body and mind awareness is encouraged through self-acceptance and a heartfelt celebration of life.

Kripalu Yoga is a compassionate union of body, mind, and spirit. There is a strong emphasis on breath awareness and focusing on the unique sensations that arise in each individuals body. Nothing in Kripalu is forced and each individual is encouraged to pay special attention to the needs of his or her own body in each pose.

Iyengar is a precise and systematic study of movement and body alignment. It requires an unrelenting search for deeper body and mind awareness at each moment and in each pose. In Iyengar Yoga, all individuals can achieve maximum benefits from the poses when alignment is correct. Props are often used to aid in achieving the correct alignment. Pranayama (breathing techniques) is taught to aid in holding the poses and for relaxation.