Alternative Healing

   For thousands of years practitioners of the art of yoga have emphasized the physical and psychological aspects of yoga practice and resulting benefits to physical and mental health. Bridging the gap between the mind and body with the breath can allow the individual to increase self-confidence, increase the level of tolerance, expand the capacity to deal with and except change, and appreciate the gift of life. Yoga is based on the practice of mind and body unity. Without this unity the mind will become chronically restless and agitated creating poor health and decreased mental clarity, eventually resulting in depression and anxiety. Yoga not only improves physical and mental health but it also bestows a sense of self reliance and an unfolding of human potentialities.

Recent research has shown the effectiveness of alternative treatment methods in treating anxiety and depression such as physical exercise, yoga, meditation, and tai chi (References below). The traditional treatments for depression and anxiety including psychotherapy and pharmacological treatment have consistently shown to alleviate symptoms; however, individuals often are in need of adjunct interventions to gain further relief.

Related Literature on Yoga, Depression, and Anxiety:

Janakiramaiah, N., Gangadhar, B., Naga Venkatesha Murthy, P., Harish, M., Subbakrishna, D., & Vedamurthachar, A. (1999). Antidepressant efficacy of sudarshan kriya yoga (SKY) in melancholia: A randomized comparison with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and imipramine. Journal of Affective Disorders, 57(1-3), 255-259.

Kessler, R. C., Soukup, J., Davis, R. B., Foster, D. F., Wilkey, S. A., Van Rompay, M. I., & Eisenberg, D. M. (2001). The use of complementary and alternative therapies to treat anxiety and depression in the United States. American Journal of Psychiatry, 158, 289-294.

Kraftsow, G. (1999). Yoga for Wellness. New York: Penguin Group.

Lavey, Sherman, Mueser, Osborne, Currier, &Wolfe, (2005). The effects of yoga on mood in psychiatric inpatients. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 28(4), 399-402.

Shannahoff-Khalsa, David, (2004). An introduction to kundalini yoga meditation techniques that are specific for the treatment of psychiatric disorders. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 10(1), 91-101.

Weintraub, Amy, (2004). Yoga for Depression. Broadway Books.

What Is Yoga?

   Yoga originated in India more than 5,000 years ago and played an integral part in the growth of Hinduism, Buddhism and Indian civilization as a whole. Yoga was first introduced in the West in the 19^th century with more of a general, individual spiritual focus. Yoga has had a significant increase in attention during the past 10 years among people searching for alternative health. Yoga has become a wonderful source for improved physical, mental and spiritual health.
  The word yoga is derived from the Sanskrit root ‘yuj’ which means to bind, join, attach, direct and concentrate attention in order to use it for meditation. Yoga, therefore is the art which brings the incoherent and scattered mind to a reflective and coherent state. Yoga is the union of the individual self with the universal self.
  There are eight stages of yoga that are all integrated but can be dealt with as independent components: 1. Yama 2. Niyama 3. Asana 4. Pranayama 5 . Dratyahara 6. Dharana 7. Dhyana 8. Samadhi. Our Western culture has simplified yoga to ecompass primarily Asana and Pranayama.

Asana
  Asanas are the actual physical postures. They are designed to purify the body and mind and have preventative and curative effects. They cater to the various needs of the muscular, digestive, circulatory, glandular, nervous and other systems of the body. They facilitate changes at all levels from the physical to the spiritual. Health is the delicate balance of mind, body and spirit. By practicing asanas physical limitations and mental distractions vanish and the gates of the spirit are opened. The postures are designed to direct the flow of prana (life force) and to release the body’s internal energy to create spiritual awareness.

Pranayama
  Prana means breath, life, vitality, energy or strength. The purpose of pranayama is to assist the respiratory system in functioning at its best. It will improve the circulatory system and release the body’s toxins. The respiratory system is the gateway to purifying the body, mind and intellect. Pranayama is fundamental to inner harmony and health.

What is OM?
  To a yogi, no symbol is more powerful than the syllable OM: "OM: this eternal word is all; what was, what is and what shall be." In the Sanskrit letter the long lower curve represents the dream state, the upper curve stands for the waking state and the curve issuing from the centre symbolizes deep, dreamless sleep. The crescent shape stands for "maya", the veil of illusion and the dot for the transcendental state. When the individual spirit in man passes through the veil and rests in the transcendental he is liberated from the three states and their qualities. When you chant Om, you are singing a three-part sound: AUM, Ah…Oooh…Mmm. Each part vibrates in a different part of the body and represents the different states of consciousness. The Ah blooms in the lower abdomen and represents the waking state. Oooh vibrates in the solar plexis and heart and represents the dreamstate. Mmm occurs when you press your lips together, sending the vibrations into your skull. With this sound you are calling to your awareness, "sushupti," deep sleep. Finally, the continuing vibration resonating throughout your body is the unstruck sound of Om.

 

The Health Benefits of Yoga
  The practice of yoga has a myriad of benefits. It calms the mind, attuning us to the environment, as well as enhancing concentration, mental focus and clarity. As a result stress and anxiety are reduced. It helps us feel calmer and more relaxed and also mentally alert and energetic. Yoga improves posture, increases the intake of oxygen, tones muscles and improves balance.

Yoga for everyBODY
   Everyone can benefit from yoga, including the elderly, children, pregnant women, and even those with chronic health problems or disabilities. Yoga also improves the overall health and performance of those who participate in sporting activities, dance, weight lifting, and other physical activities.