SCIENCE BEHIND YOGA THERAPY
Author(s): Mohan Kumar Karki
Abstract
Therapeutic yoga is designed for people with ailment, which can be treated with yoga therapy. The duration would depend upon the ailment. Yoga therapy with other alternate therapies is practiced to give permanent relief. It is scientifically tested and proved as highly effective for certain ailments. An integrated and systematic approach to yoga has a positive effect on holistic health. Holistic health includes physiological, mental, emotional, social as well as spiritual wellbeing. Health Yoga is very effective in dealing with psychosomatic problems. If practiced thoroughly on long-terms, it can give a significant effect on a person’s health both as preventive measure and curative measure with added side benefits. Research on Yoga Therapy: Scientific Research has proved that various diseases can be treated through yoga therapy. According to research done by CCRYN, Ayush Department, Government of India the following diseases are amenable with application of yoga and natural means: Bronchial Asthma, Nasal allergy, Chronic Bronchitis, Diabetes, Thyroid problem, Obesity, High and Low Blood Pressure, Heart diseases (HD), Migraine, Tension, headache, Anxiety neurosis, Depressive Neurosis, Rheumatism, Back pain, Arthritis, Gastritis and Peptic Ulcer, Chronic Diarrhea and Dysentery, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Ophthalmic disorders (short sight, long site, astigmatism, squint eyes, initial stages of cataract and glaucoma) and Mental retardation etc. Principal of Yoga Therapy: Yoga therapy is a systematic practice which includes proper exercise, proper relaxation (body, breath, and mind), proper diet, positive thinking and sufficient sleep. There are mainly seven tools that can be used as effective tools of yoga therapy. 1. Yogic Vyayam 2. Shatkarma, 3. Asana, 4. Mudra, 5. Pranayama, 6. Bandha and 7. Meditation.