Can yoga cure diseases? Let's talk about Yoga Therapy!

Do you sometimes feel that you need something beyond exercise to relieve your body pain and mental stress? In addition to medication, today we are talking about a method that brings relief to both our body and mind at the same time. This is yoga therapy, or 'Yoga Therapy' . This is a process that empowers you to improve your health and well-being.

Simply put, what is Yoga Therapy?

Think of yoga therapy as a yoga practice that is tailored specifically for you, tailored to your specific health goals. This is not your typical yoga class. It focuses on your physical, mental, and emotional needs. Simply put, it is a whole-body approach that actively engages you in your own wellness journey. It uses some of the key tools of yoga.

• Physical postures and movements: We call these asanas .
• Breathing exercises: These are called pranayama .
• Meditation and relaxation: This is called dhyana .

This treatment is not provided by just any yoga teacher. It is provided by a specially trained, certified yoga therapist. He or she will work with you one-on-one and create a safe, personalized training session for you. Such a therapist will:

• We will review your medical records and talk to you about your health concerns.
• You decide what exercises and poses are the safest for you to do.
• You will be taught the correct postures and techniques to prevent injuries .
• Explains how each pose affects your body.
• It helps you relax and manage stress .
• Helping you reach your personal wellness goals .

What types of medical conditions can be helped by yoga therapy?

There are many health benefits of yoga therapy. Although research is still ongoing, here are some of the benefits that have been identified so far:

• Reduces aches and pains in the body and helps manage painHelping.
• Providing relief from conditions related to the nervous system , such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS) , Fibromyalgia , Epilepsy , and Stroke .
• Relieving joint pain caused by arthritis .
• Reduce tension and stress in the body and mind and relieve headaches.
• Helping to reduce body weight.
• Improve mood and reduce conditions such as depression .
• Reducing anxiety and stress.
• Relieving symptoms associated with menopause .
• Helping to calm those who have gone through severe traumatic experiences.

What is the difference between a regular yoga class and yoga therapy?

This is a question that many people have. There are some clear differences between the two. Let's understand it in a table like this.

What happens during a yoga therapy session?

Your yoga therapist will ask you to come in comfortable, loose clothing. Here's what happens during a session. Most of the time, these exercises are done sitting in a chair, or standing with a chair nearby for extra support. This makes them easy for anyone to do.

• How to sit and stand correctly: Educates on the best posture for safety and performance.
• Joint movement: Poses that increase the range of motion of the joints and help them move more easily.
• Side bends: Stretch the midsection of the body, helping with better breathing.
• Cat-Cow Pose: In this pose, as you inhale, you push your chest forward, arch your back, and as you exhale, you round your back and look at your stomach. This increases the flexibility of the spine.
• Spinal twist: While sitting in a chair, turn to the right side and look back over your right shoulder. Do the same to the left. This helps with digestion and strengthens the abdominal muscles.

While doing these movements, the therapist will also guide you through various breathing exercises (pranayama). These will help reduce your stress levels and manage pain. At the end of the session, there is a relaxation practice that calms the mind and body.

Is there any risk in this?

The risks of yoga therapy are very minimal.. The first rule of yoga is "do no harm." Your therapist will make sure that the poses you are given are safe and comfortable for you to do. You may feel a deep stretch, but you should never feel pain . If you feel any pain, stop the pose immediately and tell your therapist. Compared to other physical activities like running or lifting weights, yoga carries a lower risk of injury.

When should you seek medical advice?

Do not start any of these exercises without first consulting your doctor, especially if you have a chronic medical condition (e.g., heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes). Your doctor may also suggest specific areas of your body that you should focus on. You can share that information with your yoga therapist. If you have persistent pain or new symptoms, see your doctor immediately.