Yoga Therapy Practice is a part of today’s living. It is believed to provide emotional equilibrium by gaining mastery over the mind. Mental health includes our emotional, psychological and social well-being. Yoga considers the individual as a whole with the balance between mind & body for a healthy life.
In Yoga, there are many practices including sithilikarana vyayama (Loosening exercise), Breathing exercises, Asanas (Postures) Relaxation Techniques, Pranayamas (Breathing techniques) and Dhyana (Meditation).
The combination of all these practices is very good for all individuals. But if anyone is suffering from any particular health issue, they must be checked and learn it properly to ensure they do it correctly and continue it for the rest of their lives.
Yoga Chitta Vritti Nirodhah – Mastery over the mind or Cessation of thoughts.
Maharishi Patanjali explains that Yoga Therapy is a conscious process of gaining mastery over the mind. By controlling the mind, we attain our original state.
Mind Control Involves two aspects: the power to concentrate on a desired object or subject and the capacity to remain calm and quiet.
For better mental health, being quiet and remaining calm in most situations will be challenging for all human beings. Usually one or the other thought in the mind will keep running fine up to some extent, but if the thought is very disturbing and causes any kind of irritation/anger/sleeplessness etc to be addressed and managed.
Samatvam Yoga ucyate – Equanimity is Yoga
This is a quote from Bhagavad-Gita. It conveys the idea that yoga is the ability to remain centred and unmoved in the face of adversity. It is about attaining a state of inner calm and equanimity. True yoga Therapy is achieved when one remains unmoved by the dualities of life – success & failure, pleasure & pain, praise & criticism.
Ashtanga Yoga Therapy – 8 Limbs of yoga
- Yama – Social discipline
By following the social discipline of non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, moderation and non –attachment provide ultimate strength and energy to body & mind.
- Niyama – Self-discipline
Niyamas are the positive observances or duties, such as purity, contentment, self-examination and self-surrender to the divine.
- Asanas – Physical postures that can help increase strength, flexibility and balance.
- Pranayama – Breathing techniques that involve controlling the breath & its rhythm to elevate life energies.
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- Pratyahara – withdrawing the senses
- Dharana – concentration
- Dhyana – meditation
- Samadhi – Enlightenment or bliss
By following steps 1 to 7, the individual can attain a step 8th called Samadhi. Each step should be followed by one after the other is more effective and easy.
Mental health depends on the Autonomic nervous system. The sympathetic and parasympathetic activity of the autonomic nervous system should be balanced well with our daily routine & regimen. Any of these two becomes dominant and causes either stress, anxiety or depression. Sympathetic activity is to stimulate the nervous system and be active and parasympathetic activity is to calm ourselves and be relaxed.
Yoga Therapy practices are highly effective at balancing both sympathetic and parasympathetic activity. Yoga practice must be a part of life and day-to-day regimen to maintain our overall health.
