WHAT IS YOGA?

Definition The word "yoga" comes from the Sanskrit root yuj, which means "to join" or "to

yoke".

Cont….Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual

practice or discipline which originated in India.

A Hindu philosophy that teaches a person to experience inner peace by controlling the body and mind.

HISTORY OF YOGAThe exact history and origins of yoga is

uncertain; however, there are pieces that have been connected and allow us to make some conclusions. It is known that yoga originated from the East.

The earliest signs of yoga appear in ancient Shamanism. Evidence of yoga postures were found on artifacts that date back to 3000 B.C.

Evidence of yoga is found in the oldest-existing text, Rig-Veda. Rig-Veda is a composition of hymns.

“The primary goal of shamanism was to heal members of the community and act as religious mediators”

("History of Yoga")

MODERN HISTORYThe first Hindu teacher to actively advocate and

disseminate aspects of yoga to a western audience, Swami Vivekananda, toured Europe and the United States in the 1890s.

Modern yoga is based on five basic principles.1) Proper relaxation2) Proper exercise3) Proper breathing4) Proper diet5) Positive thinking and meditation

YOGA THERAPYYoga therapy is the process of empowering

individuals to progress toward improved health and well-being through the application of the philosophy and practice of Yoga.

(An IAYT Definition)

International Association of Yoga Therapists(IAYT)

HISTORY OF YOGA THERAPY Yoga made its way to the United States in the late 1800s,

but yoga therapy emerged in a formal manner in the 1980s as the result of a study conducted by Dr. Dean Ornish.

In 1983, the Biomedical Yoga Trust was founded.

The International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT) was founded in 1989.

Both organizations have facilitated research to explore the extent of yoga therapy's potential.

WHAT IS YOGA THERAPY“Unlocking the hidden vitality”Yoga is physical & emotional well being.Practitioners of many eastern believe that every

illness involves certain level of blockage. Yoga combats those blockages.

By combining different techniques such as massage and stretching.

Yoga promotes specific changes in muscles , joints and organs.

Chakras

ISSUES TREATED BY YOGATHERAPY Yoga therapy is well established as a treatment

for DepressionAnxietyPost Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)Children with Autism & special needsSubstance AbusePhysical health issues : back pain, heart

condition, fatigue, hypertension, asthma.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOGA THERAPYWhen a person decides to initiate yoga

therapy, the therapist will first conduct an initial assessment. This assessment is designed to do the following:

Identify health problemsAssess lifestyle and physical capabilityDiscuss reasons for seeking therapyCreate a course of treatment

therapy sessions will most likely include the following components:

Breathing Exercises (Prayanama) Physical Postures (Asana) Meditation Guided Imagery Homework

PRECAUTIONS FOR YOGAPlace of PracticeAwarenessBreathingPractice Yoga in the Presence of a Yoga

TeacherYoga in an Empty StomachDietRoutine

CAN YOU DO THIS?

Health benefits within body:Blood pressurePulse rateCirculationOrgansImmunityPainMetabolism

BENEFITS OF YOGA THERAPY

PostureStrengthEnergyWeightSleepBalanceBody awarenessCore strengthAging

Emotional health benefits:

MoodStress reductionAnxietyDepressionSelf acceptanceSelf controlMind body connectionPositive outlook in life

HostilityConcentrationMemoryAttentionSocial skillsCalmness

Exercise health benefits:

Low risk of injuryParasympathetic nerves systemMuscle toneSub cortexBreathingNon-competitiveJoint range of motionReaction time

Disease prevention:

Heart rateOsteoporosisAlzheimer’sDiabetes

Symptom reduction:Carpal tunnel syndromeAsthmaMultiple sclerosisCancerMuscular dystrophyMigrainesEpilepsyObsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)Menopause Back pain

NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF YOGA THERAPY The most common negative side effect from practicing

yoga is physical injury. these injuries can include:

wrist pain neck pain back pain tearing of ligaments and tendons pulling muscles ankle pain, knee pain,

 

Mental instability can also be a side effect of practicing too much yoga or practicing it incorrectly

pseudo death pseudo psychosisconfusion increased anxiety panic attacks suicidal patterns depressionfeelings to self-mutilateHeadache temporary blindness

WHO OFFERS YOGA THERAPY The field of yoga therapy is fairly young, no official,

formalized certification process exists. However Some well-respected training programs include:

Integrative Yoga TherapyAmerican Vini yoga InstituteEssential Yoga TherapyPhoenix Rising Yoga TherapyYoga Life InstituteAny training program accredited by the International

Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT)

INTERNATIONAL YOGA DAY On 11 December 2014, The 193-member United Nations General

Assembly approved by consensus, a resolution establishing 21 June as ‘International yoga day’. The declaration of this day came after the call for the adoption of 21 June as International Day of Yoga by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his address to UN General Assembly on 27 September 2014. In suggesting 21 June, which is the Summer Solstice, as the International Day of Yoga.

The first international day of Yoga was observed world over on 21 June 2015. About 35000 people, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a large number of dignitaries, performed 21 Yoga asanas (yoga postures) for 35 minutes at Rajpath in New Delhi.

The event at Rajpath established two Guinness records - largest Yoga Class with 35985 people and the record for the most nationalities participating in it.