Yoga in medical practice
Yoga means integration or wholeness. The yogic concept of the working of the body and mind is that there is a balance and integration in the functioning of each person and that each person has an inherent power of adaptation. Yoga provides ways and means of helping your body and mind to maintain a state of balance, or to regain it if it is disturbed. This imbalance is not going to be rectified by a symptomatic approach to illness. Removing symptoms, covering up symptoms or altering symptoms does nothing for a person’s healing process. However, it is difficult in our Western culture, and specifically on a small isolated island like Alderney, to help people realise that orthodox medicine is not keeping it’s promise of alleviating suffering and reducing illness. Having to shift "responsibility" from the army of white-coats to the individual is hard work and meets with resistance from both ends.The physiotherapy side of medicine, i.e. joint, muscle and tendon problems, can be more successfully dealt with using a combination of Ayurvedic massage and relaxing exercises. The massage, done with compassion and love, allows an interaction by physical means (pressure, rubbing, etc.) as well as an energetic influx which is of great benefit to reduce inflammation and restore tissues to normality. The benefit of a yoga based exercise program lies in the use of slow, gradual movements which leaves the muscles relaxed; the use of proper breathing, making more oxygen available during the exercises; and the knowledge that the postures stimulate and balance internal organs, endocrine glands, circulation, etc.
People who have predominantly musculo-skeletal complaints, usually connect well with a treatment that attacks the painful places. To speed up the physical healing process, especially in very long-standing problems, we make use of additional therapies such as Osteopathy and Shiatzu. Magneto therapy also is very useful as an adjunct to the self-therapy that is undoubtedly needed to make a long lasting difference.
Asthma and cardiac problems, as well as lethargy by various names, benefit greatly from simple breathing exercises. It is important to explain properly the role of oxygen intake and consumption in a way that most people can understand. Added bonuses include a better posture, a clearer mind and a better energy distribution throughout the body. Aromatherapy plays an important part via inhalations in the maintenance of clean airways, with an additional benefit on calming the nervous system.
Internal and metabolic problems are approached from an educational angle. Upper respiratory problems, digestive problems, hormonal imbalances, skin problems, recurrent infections, endocrine problems, etc. all require a much more meaningful explanation than simple description of what is happening, which is the "explanation" provided by orthodox medicine. A lot of people find out that symptom control can be very satisfactory at first, but that at some point this will prove to be inadequate and even irritating because people start to realise that the medication is not "curing" them, that it is not getting rid of the read more
