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Today
most of the normal ailments of human beings are recognized
as psychosomatic, that is, lack of integration between the
mind and body, and poor interaction between them leads to
bodily ailments.
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It
is true that ailments in human being can be due to external
attacks by bacteria, viruses, etc. It can also be due to poison
or injection of substances not suitable for the body. Ailments
can also be due to environmental conditions and violent changes
in environment. Some of the ailments are caused by pollution
(air pollution, water pollution, soil pollution, etc.) It
is also known that many diseases are related to genetic disorders.
The list is long.
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However,
why is it that when the same viruses and bacteria are present
all around, only some get affected and some do not? The answer
lies in the ability of the body to adapt to changes in the
environment.
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It
is recognized that our body has been designed as a flexible
/ adaptive instrument, which can quickly adapt to changes
in various conditions. Yoga is a tool, which enables quick
body adaptation to challenging conditions and constant renewal
of the body being subjected to severe external attacks.
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Practice
of Yoga enables the mind to be prepared to face serious negative
situations and makes the body flexible to go through tough
conditions with ease.
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The
term yoga means integration. The integration is mainly of
the mind and body, but also of the multiple bodies that the
human being possesses, as per Vedic thinking.
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Vedic
thought recognizes not just one single human body - that is,
the physical body, but a set of bodies that work together
and enable the physical body to function properly. The other
bodies which are holding the various biological systems and
the various cells of the body together are -
- Physical body (Annamaya kosam)
- Pranic body (Pranamaya kosam)
- Mind (Manamaya kosam)
- The programmed model of the body (which is used as the benchmark
as per which the restoration of the body
takes place after any problems that change the body shape,
condition etc. are overcome) - What is today
known as genetic programme of the human body.
(Vignanamaya kosam) this is recognized as body in itself and
acts as the benchmark for growth of various
organs and body shape and size from the womb to post teen
age long after birth.
- Bodily radiance (Anandamaya kosam) - it can also be considered
as the set of 'satisfiers' that drive all human
beings and their bodily functions. The variations in this
body are reflected as variations in personality
traits and drivers of individuals.
- Soul (Atma)
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The
soul is said to drive each one of the lower levels through
various stages right up to the physical body.
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Yoga
aims to integrate the physical body with the mind and the
pranic bodies.
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Yoga
can be practised in three forms
- Physical Yoga (Yogasanas)
- Pranic Yoga consisting of Pranayama, Mudra (body postures)
and Bandha (holding certain organs tight).
- Mind level yoga consisting of various kinds of meditation,
yogic sleep (yoga nidra), visual imagery (chidakasa
dharana) etc.
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Out
of these, in the high speed modern days, yoga nidra is found
to be highly effective, along with different yogasanas.
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For
patients practicing yoga, the body and soul get ready and
well prepared to receive the medical treatment - modern medicine
or any other alternative or complementary therapies.
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With
practice of yoga, the speed of recovery of patients would
be much higher.
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Depending
upon the type of disease and the strength of the body, different
practices can be recommended.
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For
people, who are in good health, a combination of physical
yogasanas - carefully chosen as per the specific needs of
the patient - , pranayama and meditation to get the best benefits
is recommended. If the work atmosphere is highly stressful,
he or she should practice daily yoga-nidra.
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It
is known that migraine, constant pain and low level of bodily
immunity, external attack of viruses, bacteria, etc. can be
controlled with the practice of yogasanas combined with pranayama
and meditation.
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I
would like to highlight one particular form of yogic practice,
which increases the immunity level of both patients and non-patients,
which is called yoga Nidra. Yogic sleep can be termed in clinical
terminology as Psycho-neuro-immuno-therapy. In this patient
need not have to do any special exercise. His body is at deep
rest as if he is in deep sleep. The mind and the brain are
not at sleep and are fully awake. The brain waves of very
low stress are released - that is, predominantly deep sleep
type of brain waves are released (low frequency alpha rays??
- to be rechecked)
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While
doing Yoga Nidra the mind is fully awake while the body is
in deep sleep. Attention is rotated around various organs
of body, joints and the neural and blood flows, etc. Depending
upon the need of the patient, or the healthy individual, the
organ/s, which are affected are paid special attention to
and softly yellow glowing prana or red glowing prana is allowed
to caress around the organ. The message for the ailment is
given softly to release the body from the problem. This is
found to be very effective. At the end of the so called "Tour
of the Mind", the mind is taken outside the body and
beyond to rest in very satisfying and happy environmental
conditions like moonlight, lakes, forests, sunrise, places
of worship that gives satisfaction to the person concerned.
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At
the end of the yoga Nidra session, the mind is brought back
into the body and the normal behaviour is resumed.
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As
part of the yoga Nidra, often the practice of Chidakasa Dharana
(yogic visualization) is recommended. In yogic visualization,
the mind is made to visualize extremely positive situations
in respect of the afflicted part of the body. For example,
in case of lung cancer, we can visualise the lungs to be in
good condition and fully recovered and performing well.. As
part of the Chidakasa Dharana the pranic power in bright yellow
/ red colours is allowed to be used. Surprisingly its practice
reduces the problem with the organ concerned. Even though
the relief may be marginal in some cases, because there are
no negative effects, it should be practiced. Over time it
improves the quality of life substantially.
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Today
practice of yoga is being accepted worldwide particularly
in western countries. To include it as adjuvant to conventional
therapy, would speed up the recovery, reduce possibility of
unrest and definitely improve the quality of life. Brief notes
on Yoga Nidra and Chidakasa Dharana are enclosed.
