Yoga as a therapy-6: USING AN INTEGRATED APPROACH

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Yoga as a therapy-6: USING AN INTEGRATED

APPROACH

Yogamaharishi Dr Swami

Gitananda Giri Guru Maharaj, the founder of Ananda Ashram at ICYER, Pondicherry and one of

the foremost authorities on Yoga in the past century, has explained the concept

of Yoga Chikitsa in the following manner.

“Yoga Chikitsa is virtually as old as Yoga itself, indeed, the ‘return of

mind that feels separated from the Universe in which it exists’ represents the

first Yoga therapy. Yoga Chikitsa could be termed “man’s first attempt at unitive

understanding of mind-emotions-physical distress and is the oldest wholistic

concept and therapy in the world.â€

To achieve this integration at all levels it

is essential that we take into consideration a healthy life nourishing

diet, a healthy and natural environment, a wholistic lifestyle, adequate

bodywork through Asanas, Mudras and Kriyas, invigorating breath work through

the use of Pranayama and the production of a healthy thought process through

the higher practices of Jnana and Raja Yoga.

The application of Yoga as

a therapy can be correlated with the Pancha Koshas (the five aspects of our

existence) and various Yoga practices may be used as therapeutic interventions

at different levels in this respect.

At the Annamaya Kosha

(anatomical level) Jattis (simple units of movements), Mudras (gestures for

energy generation and conservation), Kriyas (structured movements), Asanas

(steady and comfortable postures) along with the dietary modifications are

useful.

At the Pranamaya Kosha

(physiological level) Shat Karmas (cleansing actions), various Pranayamas,

development of breath awareness and working on breath-movement coordination with

emphasis on balancing Pranic energy is to be done.

At the Manomaya Kosha

(psychological level) there are numerous practices such as Trataka (concentrated gaze), Dharana

(concentration), Dhyana (meditation), Japa and Japa-Ajapa practices that are

useful. Various aspects of concentration such as the Mandala Dharana and other

Yoga Drishti techniques are also available in the Gitananda tradition for this

purpose.

When trying to deal with

the Vijnanamaya Kosha (intellectual level), Swadhyaya (self analysis),

Satsangha (lectures and spiritually uplifting exchange) along with the

wonderful Jnana Yoga and Raja Yoga relaxation and concentration practices of

Yoga are useful. We must remember that according to Swamiji, we thankfully

cannot disturb the Vijnanamaya and Anandamaya Koshas! However what can happen

is that we get the other three bodies out of sync with the higher two and so

suffer consequences of such ignorant actions.

To understand and work

with the Anandamaya Kosha (universal level) it is important to loose sense of

the limited individuality. Learning to implement principles of Karma Yoga (Yoga

as skilled action performed without expectation) and following the principle of

action in relaxation help us to achieve a sense of joy in all activities. A

realization that we live in a blissful universe and that all life is joy is to

be brought about in this intervention through use of Bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga

and other aspects like Bhajana, Yogic counseling and Satsangha.

We live in a happy and

healthy universe and there is no reason we cannot or shouldn’t be happy and

healthy!

 

Yogacharya Dr.Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani Chairman : Yoganjali Natyalayam and ICYER Hon General Secretary, Pondicherry Yogasana Association 25, 2nd Cross,Iyyanar Nagar, Pondicherry, South India-605 013 Tel: +91-413 - 2622902 / +91-413 -3203314/+91-413 -2241561 Mobile: 9842311433 Website: www.icyer.com www.geocities.com/yognat2001/anandahttp://youtube.com/profile_videos?user=yognat2001 & p=r