How yoga is therapy

I am often asked if I teach or train yoga therapy. My answer is both yes and no. 

Why no, let us get that answered first. No because I am not a trained doctor, physiotherapist, chiropractor or trained in any other aspect of the medical profession.  I have not done any extensive research with randomized cases to support the claim of yoga as therapeutic.  

Then how do I say or can I claim the therapeutic benefits of yoga?  It is based on my own lifetime practice, on reading the work of researchers on the effects of meditation and following the writings yoga teachers.

The regular practice of postures/asanas with complete attention to the state that one is in, and approaching that state with kindness, is how I meet my physical body. For example how is the body feeling today. Is their physical fatigue? Emotional exhaustion or mental stress?  Dividing the attention between the three bodies, physical, emotional and  mental, using one to balance the other. 

Refer to the Koshas,  Yoga Training Manual then we can have a discourse to unpack the concepts, and apply them to the daily living.  

Regular practice of meditation, and its benefits, is a therapy for those who follow this path.

Through the application of the different yoga techniques we do bring about  healing and a sense of wellbeing.

Navigating a day

We go about the day moving our limbs and the torso in unison, in a rhythm. 

• I pause, to notice all inner workings that makes and supports this movement.  This pause and this noticing seems to ride on bringing attention to my breath, the inhales and the exhales. 
• In the pause sometimes senses are evoked.  
• The thoughts, what am I thinking? 
  
  
  
• How and where is my feeling, and what emotions are riding in this physical body?

The pause, with all these subtle questions, grounds me and provides an attentive rhythm to the flow of the day. 

Its a lot to 'unpack', and who has the 'time' to go deep into each of the above self inquiry, and then one can also ask "why"? 

Maybe its enough to bring attention to any one aspect, like a thought, a feeling or a sensation, and take few deep breaths.  

And then notice the effects.

These are basics, to snack on, to slowly build the mind muscle of awareness.  

Just as we build other muscles through physical  exercise; we continue to build the mind muscle through being mindful and aware.  

The question "why", then finds the answer in how we navigate through daily life and living.  

The other side of fear

Enter a dark cave, in the darkness of an unknown surrounding, fear is present.  Stay in one spot, not moving till the eyes and the body get accustomed to the darkness.   In the darkness the eyes begin to see, the inner "eyes" begin to feel safe,  that is when you begin to move, to notice and place your next step.   You begin to make your way....

The past months of unknowing, living with the new virus called coronavirus brought me into a similar "cave of inner being".

Now I make my way back into the outside world.

What the coronavirus is showing me, the meaning of faith!

I learn to communicate with myself.  Me and I, there is no veil of pretence between what I honestly feel and what mask I need to wear on those feelings. 

I can scream and shout, stay in bed, eat all I want, do or not, be or not! Through all this I come to a point, where I can hug and befriend myself.  All my experiences - through all stages of life, the relating and the undoing of those relationships, they all come and sit beside me.  I wade through them all, I begin to find a glimpse of myself.

Like what about triggers?  How is this information, news, person, or conversation triggering me?  If its too much to handle, a wave of sadness, tears pour.  Sometime I will share, sometime I will hide this pain, not out of shame, rather out of compassion.  When I sit with these feelings, a light shines, the light of gratitude for all I still am and all I still have.  I place my hands on my heart, I breathe and I bring to attention those who are suffering, to those who as their job or duty are in the front line, helping treating and providing relief.  They too are me. 

I remember as I have the right to be in my 'space' so has the other.  Not to force myself or explain myself, rather stay present, encourage through being attentive.

As the 'me and i' become close, and I am able to forgive myself and be my own friend, I might have the capacity to hold you and give you strength. 

Keeping connected, encouraging myself and the other, we will keep drifting through this unknown!  I choose to believe this, as the rituals fall away, this becomes my faith.

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