yoga & orthopedics

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Yoga & Orthopedics by Dr Vispi Jokhi.

http://esamskriti.com/html/inside.asp?cat=652&subcat=651&cname=yoga_ortho

 

I would like to share with the reader my journey in the field of Yoga, which

began three years ago and will continue till my innings on earth is over. Yoga

or union of mind, body and soul is truly India’s gift to the world and today

the sad fact is that we seem to be importing Yoga back from the West rather

than exporting it. As an Orthopedic Surgeon, physical fitness was certainly

high on my priority list, however the hectic life of Mumbai made me look for

quick fix solutions. Gymnasiums, free hand exercises, brisk walks, swimming all

came into my life, but with limited results. Often they became workouts, which

left me tired instead of raising my energy levels. My scripture reading gave me

an idea about the ancient system of Hatha Yoga of Patanjali and about the

importance of all the eight limbs of Yoga. But my “scientific mind” in its

arrogance was under the impression that Yoga was merely a series of contortions

of the body called asanas, which had limited benefits. I thought that

flexibility of the bones and joints was all that was needed and a few weeks of

training was all that was required. I did not seem to have time for the half

naked “tilak smeared”Gurus.

Three years ago I went for a lecture-demonstration by Shri Zubin

Zarthostimanesh, a Yoga teacher trained by the world famous Respected Shri BKS

Iyengar. Shri Zarthostimanesh began with a humble prayer to sage Patanjali to

invoke his blessings followed by his lecture. Health and physical fitness was

transformed from a workout to a holistic artistic movement. While many in the

audience were there to see the postures and applaud, I was there to see the

practical application of yoga principles in day to day life. He showed us how

the way we stood, sat, walked or slept had a direct influence on degeneration

and disease. He emphasized the importance of all the eight limbs of Yoga and

how one could reach a meditative state within the asana. I had found my Guru

and was overjoyed. I asked Zubin to be my Guru and thus began my journey in the

field of Yoga.

Orthopedic Surgeons and for that matter all physicians approach to disease is

essentially one of fire-fighting in the form of symptom alleviation with a

prescription, followed by repair or reconstruction (surgical methods). We need

a paradigm shift from this approach to prevention and healing. Fractures and

injuries are treated by plasters and surgeries along with painkillers, but the

accompanying bed rest results in major muscle wasting and changes. Often my

Guru calls bed rest as bed rust. Even while resting parts of the body, which

are, injured it is possible to mobilize the muscles and joints around it to

promote better physiological healing.

The importance of this aspect of healing is now being recognized the world over.

Degenerative joint disorders like Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Spine

degenerations, Ankylosing Spondylitis all can be treated very effectively by

the ancient system of Yoga. Bone brittleness due to lack of calcium and Vitamin

D is also effectively treated by asanas, which stretch every part of the body.

Yoga has a role to play in the treatment of flatfeet, heel spurs, bunions and

wrist carpal tunnel syndromes and tennis elbows.

A major difference between physical exercise and yoga is that muscles contract

and shorten during movement, whereas they expand and lengthen during movement

of the joints. The relation of the psyche with the soma and the role of the

mind in healing cannot be over emphasized. In the system of Yoga the suffering

patient learns to relax and copes with his disease much more effectively.

An important aspect of Yoga and its application to the field of sports is often

over-looked by our sports medicine specialists and coaches. Yoga has the

advantage of incorporating active and passive exercise regimes wherein the

injured part can be protected. Contrary to the public perception Yoga can be

very dynamic and can prepare a sportsman for fast and rapid activity. Asanas

are useful for rapid recovery after the game or event.

On a personal level, I started Yoga as a physical workout and got good relief

from aches and back pains. Slowly, the asanas penetrated to areas of my body,

which I was never aware of and the effort in achieving the poses became less

than before. At times I did end up with pain when the stiff body refused to

yield, but my Guru always sent us home from a session of Yoga pain-free and

full of energy. I learnt to sequence my poses in order to access to both the

physical and physiological body and in moments of real relaxation reach as

close to single pointed mind as possible. It is at these times, which come

almost daily in my practice, that I truly achieve Yoga or union of body, mind

and soul. Yoga for me became an indispensable tool for revitalizing and healing

my body. Three years is still a short time and I am sure, as the years go by its

benefits will multiply exponentially.

A regular practice of Yoga about an hour a day is essential and I can assure all

the readers that this time is truly well spent. Preventive medicine consists of

major life-style changes. A healthy vegetarian natural diet, yogic postures,

reduction of needs, living for others and slowing the pace of life are some of

the major steps required to achieve good health.

Dr Jokhi is a practicing Orthopedic Surgeon from the city of Mumbai. He has been

deeply influenced by the Gita and is a Yoga student

 

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