In an earlier article we review the health benefits of yoga as it relates to the eight limbs of yoga.
Now it’s time to focus on the preventive and therapeutic effects of yoga.
Yoga is basically a system of self treatment and helps both in prevention and management of diseases.
Yogic philosophy advocates that diseases, ailments and disorders are caused due to improper ways of living, faculty habits, lack of proper health knowledge and consumption of improper food.
The above causes can lead to disturbances in the functioning of various systems of the body and results in different types of bodily disorders.
Since diseases are caused due to lifestyle choices on the part of the individual, treatment of ailments lies in the correction of bad habits by the individual as well.
The yogic therapeutic process involves three steps in the treatment of individuals.
1. Proper diet
As per the philosophy of Yoga, the diet prescribed depends up the nature of disorder and condition of the person.
The basic idea is to provide a diet which has all the nutrients you need in proper quantity as well as avoiding harmful food items. The recommended diet in therapeutic yoga must include salads, fruits, green and leafy vegetables and pulses.
Avoid hot and spicy food and consuming of water while eating.
Also, you will want to avoid intake of alcohol and also tea and coffee, if possible. Use of tobacco in all forms is totally forbidden.
2. Systematic practice of yoga
The daily practice of Yoga should be continued during the treatment of your disease or ailment.
A good number of diseases may be effectively treated with the help of few selected Asanas performed regularly under the guidance of an expert of Yoga. In certain cases, Asanas may have to be combined with Pranayam for proper effects.
In some cases even Kriyas, mudras and Bundas may also have to be performed for desired results.
Performance of selected Asanas and Pranayam can help in treating the disease and bodily disorders.
For example, people experiencing these problems have benefited from continuing the daily exercise of yoga: acidity, allergy, anemia, arthritis, asthma, bladder complaints, colds, constipation, diabetes, diarrhoea, exhaustion, haemorroids, headaches, heart troubles, hernia, high blood pressure, low blood pressure, impotency, indigestion, kidney complaints, lever ailments, obesity, paralysis, sinus troubles, tuberculosis, ulcer, piles, leprosy, anxiety, depression, fatigue and nervousness.
3. Adequate knowledge of things related to self
The majority of disorders and diseases can be treated as a result of consuming a proper diet along with systematic practice of Yoga.
However, there are some complicated problems where an individual needs a thorough knowledge of all aspects related to the life of an individual. One need to understand in detail about the various aspects of life, including concepts which are informative, conceptual, theoretical, and philosophical.
The saying “a healthy mind in a healthy body” is what we are talking about here, because yoga views life as holistic well-being.
In the medical system, after proper diagnosis the doctor prescribes medicine as an external agent to cure the disease.
Medicines have not only become expensive, but also lead to serious side effects for a large number of people.
Yoga, on the other hand, does not involve any expenses. All that is required is suitable time and discipline to perform a series of yogic practices to attain a level of well being that goes beyond the treating of symptoms through medication.
Finally it is better to follow the concept that prevention is better than cure
One should practice some physical activity daily to keep the body functioning and on the move, just like a vehicle.