The Ayurveda views of our embodied nature (body, mind and soul) and how it works, the causes of disease and the treatment of disease are all connected together in a beautiful, clear, and wonderful system of optimal health and total well-being.
The term Yoga itself means to unite, combine, harmonize, or integrate. A truly yogic approach is inherently an integrative approach, harmonizing Body, Prana, Senses, Mind, and Consciousness. Modern Yoga has defined itself primarily in terms of asana or physical postures. It largely consists of the application of Yoga asana as an adjunct physical therapy for the treatment of diseases as primarily diagnosed and treated by modern medicine.
According to Ayurveda, Yoga therapy must consider all eight limbs of Yoga Practice known as Ashtang Yoga. Ashtang is translated as “eight-limbs”. The classical yoga as defined by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras includes the following eight limbs. The path of yoga is most effectively practiced in this order.
- Yama (moral restraints) – how we relate to others
- Niyam (observances) – how we relate to ourselves
- Asana (posture)
- Pranayama (moderation of the movements of Prana)
- Pratyahara (moderation of the sense organs)
- Dharana (concentration)
- Dhyana (meditation)
- Samadhi (meditative absorption)
A yogic approach to healing is not a specialization or a sideline technique but requires synthesis of all levels and aspects of healing.Yoga has an eightfold approach from life-style practices and values through asana, pranayama, to Samadhi. If we reduce Yoga to asana, we are not practicing Yoga or an integrative approach
Yoga promotes a natural way to help us relax and cope with stress, anxiety and depression.Yoga could help to reduce anxiety, depression, fatigue and stress for some patients. And it improved the quality of sleep, mood and spiritual well being for some people.
Yoga used as therapy for cancer can help clear out toxins accumulated during cancer treatment more effectively.
Yoga asana stimulate not just muscles, but also increases blood flow, balances the glands and enhances the lymphatic flow in the body, all of which enhances the body’s internal purification processes.
The deep, relaxing breathing often emphasized in yoga for cancer therapy also increases the current of oxygen-rich blood to the cells, delivering vital nutrients to tired cells and further clearing out toxins.
Yoga for cancer survivors and patients also provides an internal anchor of calm. Many practicing yoga therapy have discovered an interesting, subtle benefit, an increased awareness of a great, internal stillness and sense of unity.