Yoga therapy aims to treat the root cause of illness and promote overall well-being through integrated practices that address the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of a person. It uses techniques like asanas, pranayama, meditation, and lifestyle modifications to reduce stress, strengthen the body and mind, and bring the different systems of the body into harmony. Yoga therapy treats the whole person, not just the symptoms, and can help prevent disease when practiced regularly as part of one's lifestyle. It works slowly but is safe and can complement other medical treatments for various chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and respiratory disorders.

1. HARI OM
Deepak Bagadia
Introduction to
YOGA THERAPY
(2021-22)
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2. It is most important to realize that no
system in body works in isolation. All the
systems in body work in harmony
and coordination to produce desired result.
Nervous & Endocrine are main controlling
other systems and HPO Axis
A single root cause like STRESS can be
responsible for manifestation of disease in
different systems.
We have inbuilt Stress management system
HUMAN SYSTEMS
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3. The International Association of Yoga
Therapists defines yoga therapy as:
“The process of empowering
individuals to progress toward
improved health and well-being
through the application of the
philosophy and practice of yoga.”
Thus, Yoga therapy consists of the
application of yogic principles, methods,
and techniques to specific human ailments.
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4. Yoga practices treat the root cause.
Integrated or holistic approach of Yoga
therapy thus allows us to treat person
rather than symptoms
There is never a single causative factor,
BUT a combination of psychological,
social, environmental factors, familial and
cultural influences which cause illness.
Illness is of two types -
A) Disease - organic disorder (YT @min)
B) Functional disorder. (adhija vyadhi)
YOGA THERAPY
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5. Any therapy aims at healing and reducing the
symptoms of pain and suffering in life. The root
cause of most of the diseases is unsteadiness or
instability of mind. Yoga targets the root cause
by putting mind in steady and well balanced
state. Basically, yoga is a way of life and not the
therapy.
“It is absolutely true that every thought we think
has its corresponding effect on the whole or
some part of the human anatomy. Therefore, the
mind can both create and cure disease”
Dr. Charles Davis
YOGA THERAPY (Meaning/Aim)
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6. A true yoga aspirant tries to create balance
between the physical, mental, emotional and
spiritual aspects. As he gets focused on the
ultimate goal of life, self realization or Samadhi,
freedom from diseases comes as a by-product of
his enriched way of living.
Yoga Therapy is the use of the techniques of Yoga
to create, stimulate, and maintain an optimum
state of physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual
health.
-Judith Hanson Lasater, Ph.D
YOGA THERAPY (Technique)
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7. “In its ideal application, Yoga therapy is
preventive in nature, as is Yoga itself, but
it is also restorative in many instances,
palliative in others, and curative in many
others.”
Art Brownstein, M.D.
Actually, Yoga therapy is not organ
specific but it is a science that works
holistically to strengthen the inner being.
YOGA THERAPY:
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8. 1AIM22222A
AIM OF YOGA THERAPY
1.To recognise the root cause, area of stress
and treat with Yoga practices
2. To reduce internal resistance and relax the
whole body with proper Yoga, Diet and rest
3. To correct and develop right (+ve) attitude
towards others/day to day happenings
(Notional corrections, thinking pattern, percepn)
4. To tune the psycho-physiological apparatus
5. To change lifestyle to prevent further damage
and it assures promotion of health.1towards
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9. 9
MODERN CONCEPT OF DISEASE:
Disease, in modern medical perspective is
considered as dysfunction of organs and
systems, which may be due to congenital,
defects, external atmosphere agents like
allergens, toxins, pollutants or infectious
germs. The other major cause for diseases
could be the factor of internal imbalances
like mental restlessness, emotional
upsurges or intellectual conflicts that lead
to stress reactions.

10. Main Characteristics:
1. The oldest therapy
2. Not a passive therapy like many other
modules. One is active participant in
management.
3. Yoga techniques with purpose of healing a
person as a whole unit.
4. Integrated approach: all aspects of
individual (treats person/disease).
5. Holistic Science: takes care of Diet,
Exercise, routine, habits, beliefs
providing congenial atmosphere,
counseling etc. Concept of Koshas:
YOGA THERAPY
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11. YOGA THERAPY (characteristics)
Koshas: Physical body (annamaya), subtle
body (pranamaya, Manomaya, Vijnanamaya),
& causal body (anandmaya) gives us a
holistic and concrete perspective of human
existence as the foundation for Yoga therapy
6. Almost costless therapy
7. Self indicative as done with full
awareness of active participant
8. NO TALL CLAIMS
9. Powerful & Guaranteed Healing, if done
properly, consistently & with awareness
10. It treats the root cause
11. NO SIDE EFFECTS 11

12. Cultivation of positive health through
following integral steps:
a) Cleansing/purifying: Kriyas
b) Reconditioning of neuromuscular and
neuroglandular systems
c) Correct psychological attitude (Positivity)
d) Relaxing effects on physical level
followed by
Slowing & Relaxing effects at mental
level, and
e) Silencing and easing on emotions and
sublimation at spiritual level
Scientific Plan for Treatment
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13. APPLICATION OF YOGA THERAPY
Sports
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14. “ जातस्य हि ध्रुवो मृत्युवं जन्म मृतस्य च /
तस्मात ् अपरििाये अर्थे न त्वम् शोचचतुम अि्सी//”
Reference of YT in various scriptures
1. Bhagvat Gita is full of psychotherapy and
counseling of a weak and sick person.
Chapter-2: psychological knowledge and helps us to come out
of depression.
Verses 22-31:The nature of immortal atman, transitory nature
of body and its ailments.
Verse 71: makes us aware of our desires and ego makes us
realized of true peace.
V.39-53: How to manage our stress, work without getting
attached to the fruits of it to minimize self exploitation.
V.54 to 72: characteristics of a stable man with mental
equilibrium. Such people can avoid problems in life.
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16. P.Yogasutra: Klesas & Avidya-cause of suffering,
Remedies given to unite body, mind & soul:
vairagya, nirodha, viram-pratyaya, Ishwar
pranidhana, ekatatvabhyasa, japa,Yamaniyama,
pratipakshabhava, cittaprasadana, kriyayoga……
Heyam dukham anagatam. (II.16)(Prevention)
Hathayoga is not just a physical practice but a
process of cellular transmutation from gross to
subtle to divine:
by Purification, Postural corrections, Pranic
energization, Awakening of vital energies and
Nadanusandhana leads to eternal happiness
YT in Yogic scriptures
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17. Disease in scriptures
• Upanisad: disintegration of Panchakosas
• Ayurveda: Asatmendriyartha sayoga due
to prajnaparadha (crime against
intellect)
• Y.Vasistha: Adhija vyadhi is cause of
miseries,
if removed, you get happiness. But, if
you remove avidya, you get Moksha,
total bliss
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18. Aurobindo’s definition:
“Yoga is a methodized effort towards self – perfection”
• Preventive and Social medicine
• Personality development
• Value added lifestyle
•Human Relations development
•Information Technology
YOGA AS PREVENTIVE & PROMOTIVE
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19. •Tirumalai Krishnamacharya is considered (1888)
to be the father of modern Yoga and
contemporary Yoga Therapy. He was the teacher
of BKS Iyengar, A. G. Mohan, and TKV Desikachar,
three of the most well known Gurus of
contemporary Yoga Therapy
• Swami Kuvalyananda-The pioneer & researcher
•In U.S., Dean Ornish during 1990: his program of
reversing heart diseases, approved by Health
Insurance coverage
• 200 to 800hrs of certification required (YCB)
• SVYASA, NIMHANS, MDIYA, Kaivalyadham, BSY
HISTORY OF YOGA THERAPY
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20. It is the strength of mind and not the dose of
medicine which helps illness.
1.Yoga Practices are Safe and non-invasive.
2. Regular practices reduce level of anxiety,
improve pain threshold and also immunity.
3.Improves the ability of practitioner to face
stressful situations, keeps him active
Thus, yoga has potential to heal, cure the
illness beyond just a complementary therapy
and can serve purpose of antacids,
analgesics, antidiarrheal, anxiolytics and
psychopharmacologic drugs.
YOGA THERAPY: Benefits
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21. Qualities of Good Yoga Therapist
1. Qualified, Experienced, physically and mentally
fit, Knowledgeable and Matured
2. A Regular practioner, self improving, patient
friendly and updated on all issues
3. A good communicator, non-judgmental
4. A good listener and ideal Counselor
5. Flexible, easily approachable and available,
Open to suggestions and complaints
6. Good at handling, controlling and dealing with
counselee or patient
7. Good in maintaining and developing relations
with medical & psycho-experts
8. Dedicated, disciplined and committed to work
9. Having self confidence and faith in healing
process through Yoga 21

22. LIMITATIONS OF YOGA THERAPY
1. It can work only together with the nature
and not against it.
2. As it has Natural way of healing – slow
and Tailor made. (not all-cure)
3. No standardization of practices & results
4. Practices can’t be prescribed
5. Not possible in acute, painful, serious &
surgery cases, Poison, Infections,
Accidents. Less effective in ADHD,
Epilepsy
6. Active Cooperation of patient is must
7. Patience & determination 22

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Certain conditions where YT has limitations
1. Acute chest pain, heart attack, stroke
2. Acute pain due to Kidney stone, kidney
failure, Appendicitis
3. Bleeding from rectum, Ear, Nose, Throat
4. Acute breathing problem
5. Non-stop loose motions or/& Vomiting
6. High grade fever
7. Food or snake poisoning
8. Viral, fungal, T.B. infections, Cancer
9. Accidents: fracture, excess bleeding
10. Certain neurological conditions

24. YOGA THERAPY FOR LIFESTYLE DISORDERS
Most common diseases are:
1. Diabetes & other metabolic disorders
2. Hypertension & Cardiac ailments
3. Respiratory disorders-COPD: Asthma
4. Joint problems: Backache, Neckache, Knees
5. Hormonal Problems: PCOS, Thyroid & Sex
related
Acute: sudden onset of symptoms creating distractions in
routine. Chronic is prolonged unresolved symptoms
Main causes are:
Wrong, irregular and uncontrolled lifestyle
Stress (mainly mental, distress)
Heredity – Genetic
Auto-immunity
Obesity and side effects of other drugs
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25. Common Yoga therapy (देहसाधना)
General practices:
Various kriya-s like Kapalbhati, Dhauti,
Basti, Nauli help in reducing acidity,
improve digestion, respiration
Yogic kriyas teach us in getting mastery
over basic reflexes as per following:
Basti : Mastery over emptying reflex.
Neti : Mastery over sneezing reflex.
Trataka : Mastery over blinking reflex.
Vamana : Mastery over vomiting reflex.
Shankhaprakshalana : Voluntary control
over involuntary reflexes 25

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Patanjali has prescribed Ashtanga Yoga for
the purpose of systematic elimination
of impurities, i.e., Asuddhi – Kshaya.
Patanjali has prescribed Ashtanga Yoga for
the purpose of systematic elimination
of impurities, i.e. Ashuddhi – Kshaya.
The practice of Pranayama helps to
regulate our emotions and stabilize the
mind, which is said to be as restless as a
‘drunken monkey bitten by a scorpion’. The
slow, rhythmic and controlled breathing in
Pranayamas leads to the emotional control
Pratyahara helps to distance our self from
the sensory objects, attraction to whom is
said to be the initial step in the causation
of stress in us, the main cause of disease

27. Common Yoga therapy (देहसाधना)
Kriyas like Uddiyana and Agnisara are
unique. It creates a negative abdominal
pressure and helps in better splanchnic
circulation.
Asana, sukshma vyayama, Suryanamaskar,
Diet awareness, Yogic exercises have
significant importance in Therapy
YOGA NIDRA (Guided Relaxation) gives
deep rest to all systems and relieves stress
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अन्तरङ्ग योग (DHARANA AND DHYANA)
Internal journey helps to focus our mind on the
right direction and pursue our goals in a spirit
of selfless action (“ननष्कामकमम“) and skillful
actions (“कममसु कौशलम ्”). Development of clarity
of thought appears when we have mental
balance (समत्त्वं) i.e. equal reaction to the
opposites. Proper sleep patterns and a
subjective feeling of wellness are produced by
Yoga and this in turn leads to better human
relationships, proper attitudes, increased
production at work and the greater good for
the individual, family, nation and ultimately for
the whole of humanity.

29. ABDOMINAL BREATHING (प्राणसाधना):
Normally, when we breathe in, diaphragm
is pushed down. This helps in smooth
gentle massage of abdominal organs. This
helps in proper circulation and proper
digestion of ingested food.
If abdominal breathing (i. e. pushing
abdominal wall in as close to spine as
possible while expiration) is done with an
awareness, effect is much more enhanced.
Abdominal breathing is one of the most
effective method of reducing stress.
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BHAKTI, NADA & LAYA YOGA
• Perform all our activities with the intention as
an offering to the divine and gratefully receive
HIS blessings with surrendering & egoless
attitude
• Music and the chanting of Mantras with
devotion helps to elevate the mind into a
higher plane where the individual transcends
their problems and can look at things in the
right perspective. A detached view of our life
can help us to see our self in the true reality.
The faith in Reality brings us out of all
symptoms, suffering and problems,

31. DEVOTIONAL & SPIRITUAL (भावसाधना)
Bhaktiyoga helps an individual not only to
adapt better to his sufferings but with an
improved tolerance to pain.
Yoga also brings an attitudinal change
which helps in de-addiction of alcohol and
tobacco also brings a change in dietary
habits.
Practice of chanting (om, japa, mantra and
devotional songs) & meditation affects the
limbic system. It affects the endorphin
mediated analgesic system resulting in
rejuvenating & energizing effects
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32. LIFESTYLE CORRECTIONS (ददव्यसाधना)
Takes the practitioner to a
transcendental level beyond that of
physical illness along with mental
tranquility.
It helps in regularizing diurnal
rhythm indirectly (active during
daytime) because one gets
habituated to getting up early in the
morning for the practice and going
to bed early, improving quality of life
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DO’s & DON’Ts: Precautions
1. Early morning is best time for practice
2. Other options: 30 min before breakfast,
4hrs after heavy meals, 2 hrs after light
meals, 30 min after light drink
3. No competition, force, overdoing
4. All practices within capacity, comfort
5. Practice Yoga only under guidance of
expert and follow advise of medical
expert for medication, don’t follow
media, books or others
6. Learn & practice gradually &
progressively as body, breath cooperate

34. WISH YOU ALL
A
HAPPY, HEALTHY
&
YOGIC LIFESTYLE
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