Therapeuatic Application Of Yoga Teachniques

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided text on the "Therapeutic Application of Yoga Techniques" by Dr. M. V. Bhole:

The document explores the therapeutic applications of yoga techniques, emphasizing their psycho-physiological nature, making them suitable for managing psychosomatic diseases and stress disorders. It clarifies that yoga was not originally developed as a therapy system, a role primarily fulfilled by Ayurveda, with which yoga has a complementary and intertwined history.

The author proposes a broad classification of diseases for yogic therapy:

1. Nervous System Disorders: Those primarily related to hyperfunctioning or hypofunctioning of the nervous system.
2. Emotional and Intellectual Disorders: Those predominantly linked to emotions and intellect.
3. Endocrinal and Metabolic Disorders: Certain types of these disorders.

Disorders stemming from nutritional, infectious, accidental, organic, structural, or ecological factors are considered beyond the scope of the yoga techniques discussed.

Instead of providing disease-specific prescriptions, the text focuses on the guiding principles of yogic therapy, acknowledging that individualization is key, unlike sports or parades. These common factors, modified by therapists and patients, form the basis of yogic treatment.

Key Guiding Principles of Yoga Therapy:

1. Relaxation: Essential for all psychosomatic and functional disorders stemming from stress. It involves mental and physical relaxation. Key practices include Shavasana and Makarasana. The process involves:

   • Finding the most comfortable, gravity-minimal position.
   • Developing awareness of bodily tensions and learning to release them.
   • Becoming aware of breath in different regions of the body (umbilicus, thorax, back), leading to a sense of overall bodily inflation/deflation with breathing.
   • Feeling the sensation of air in the nostrils.
   • Passively observing thoughts without suppression or engagement.
   • Cyclically or randomly shifting awareness between these points without falling asleep.
   • Advanced stages may involve recalling associations with body parts to address underlying causes, requiring caution and therapist expertise.

2. Asanas for Postural Substrate Correction: Cultural asanas can correct postural issues, leading to psychological changes through proprioceptive feedback.

3. Breathing in Asanas (Muscle Tone & Nervous System):

   • Hypotonic muscles: Practice asanas after deep inhalation and holding the breath inside.
   • Hypertonic muscles: Practice asanas after exhalation and holding the breath out.
   • Natural breathing is suitable for normal conditions.

4. Sequential Practices: Techniques like Surya-namaskaras can help break mental fixations and obsessions by encouraging awareness of changing poses.

5. Condition of the Eyes:

   • Internal focus: Keep eyes open.
   • External wandering mind: Keep eyes closed and focus on nasal air sensations.

6. Cleansing Processes (Kriyas): Crucial for functional disorders, kriyas directly influence the autonomic nervous system and value systems. Their effects might be slow but are often profound, influencing endocrines and metabolism subtly.

7. Pranayama: A powerful tool when practiced at the level of pranic activity. Even simple breathing manipulation has significant benefits by modifying brain function. Regularized breathing helps regularize physiological and psychological functions. Anuloma-Viloma and Ujjayi are good starting points. Breath-holding (Kumbhaka) should be approached cautiously. 'Rechaka Pranayama' benefits agitated nervous systems, while 'Antar-Kumbhaka' helps those with inhibitions. Preceding pranayama with kriyas or ending asana practice with Shavasana enhances results.

8. Dietary Moderations and Modifications: Essential for effective yogic therapy, echoing Ayurvedic principles.

9. Mental Tensions and Meditation: Asanas and pranayama can lead to inner experiences and release gross-level tensions. This phase can lead to increased awareness of mental tensions and conflicts, potentially causing turbulence. This is a critical stage where, with proper guidance, permanent cure is possible. Practices shift towards meditative and reflective techniques.

10. Meditative or Reflective Mood: This stage helps uncover the roots of suffering, inspiring lifestyle changes for contentment and health. It highlights the intrinsic nature of Yamas and Niyamas in yoga compared to externally imposed moral behavior.

The document then outlines suggested yogic therapy plans for specific psycho-somatic disorders:

• Hypertension: Relaxation, identifying and releasing tension sources, dietary reform, and tonifying asanas/pranayama.
• Rehabilitation after Heart Attack/Myocardial Infarction: Relaxation, attitude change, gentle asanas, and pranayama for involuntary nervous system control.
• Bronchial Asthma: Cleansing processes (during free periods), pranayama, relaxation, and corrective asanas. Medical intervention during attacks.
• Diabetes: Asanas, kriyas, Bhastrika, and relaxation for obese types; relaxation and pranayama for lean types.
• Constipation: Lukewarm saline water intake before asanas, stimulating peristalsis.
• Sinusitis, Headaches: Neti kriya, Kapalabhati, Anuloma-Viloma Pranayama.
• Hyperacidity and Biliousness: Dhoutis, relaxation, meditation. Vamana dhauti for immediate relief from heartburn.
• Cervical Spondylitis: Relaxation, Brahma Mudra, Jivha Bandha, Simha Mudra, Vakrasana, and asanas for the lumbar region.
• Slip Disc: Bhujangasana, Shalabhasana, Dhanurasana, and relaxation. Forward bending asanas should be done cautiously under expert guidance.
• Obesity: Cleansing processes, Bhastrika Pranayama, metabolism-boosting asanas, and relaxation/meditation for inner satisfaction.
• Rheumatic Arthritis: Progressive asanas for affected joints, relaxation, and maintaining poses with gentle stretching and tolerable pain. Medical treatment for acute conditions.
• Psychological Conditions:
  • Depression: Sequential practices, cleansing processes, and corrective asanas.
  • Agitational States: Relaxation, Anuloma-Viloma, Ujjayi, and cleansing processes with corrective asanas.
• Pregnancy: Tailored practices for trimesters, including simple asanas, mild Uddiyana, mild agnisara, pranayamic breathing, and relaxation, avoiding jerky movements and Kumbhaka in later stages.
• After Delivery: Aswini mudra, Uddiyana mudra, and awareness of breathing.
• Children (To Increase Height): Cultural postures, with suitable diet and practices.
• Cerebral Palsy: Sequential asana types.
• Old Age Problems: Suitable yoga techniques.
• Physical Fitness: Yoga training programs to improve muscular fitness and autonomic balance.
• Cholesterol Problem: Beneficial influence of yoga practices on blood cholesterol.

The document concludes by stating that the examples provided, along with cited research, demonstrate the efficacy and utility of yoga techniques in managing various psycho-somatic functional disorders. It notes ongoing clinical work in various centers and lists important source materials for further study. The ultimate decision-making in yogic treatment programs should also consider the individual's inner feelings and responses.