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Confusions with Yoga Therapy & The Art of Perfect Breathing

Introduction: The first level of confusion

Only 10% of Yoga Professionals are extremely talented and proficient, in handling the most complex cases of disorders and ailments, which have been completely failed by science, technology and modern medicine. 

How and why they were failed …

We will understand this part very articulately when we speak about the origin of psychosomatic ailments and disorders.

Approximately, 90% of Yoga Professionals don’t understand what Yoga Therapy is.  

This is the first level of confusion within the Yoga Teachers’ Fraternity.

The concept of Yoga Therapy is absolutely vague according to their perception.

It is only because they haven’t experienced Yoga from the holistic health aspect. [Physical health, Mental Health, Emotional Health and Spiritual Health]

Difference between Yoga Instructors, Teachers and Therapists

I am a member of multiple WhatsApp Yoga Groups created by Yoga professionals.

 Here in these groups, I have come across various queries like the recommended asanas and pranayama practices for Migraines. This question is asked by a Yoga Instructor.

 Or

 I have a participant who is suffering from IBS, What should I include in my training to cure his IBS? Asked by a Yoga Teacher

 And so on… I see tens of questions seeking yogic remedies for healing different ailments and disorders in various WhatsApp Yoga groups every day.  

 At the same time, there are over-enthusiastic members in these WhatsApp groups, who reply with absurd suggestions to these questions.

 Then many others within the group acknowledge their support for some of the suggested remedies.

 Why? I ask why?

Why do they need to heal that participant themselves when they aren’t qualified to do so?

Why are there desires to behave or act like a Yoga Therapist?

 If they are Yoga Instructors, they should stick to instructions.

 If they are Yoga Teachers, stick to teaching.

 Why should they behave like an unqualified Quack?

 Why should they play with the lives of these participants?

  The golden question here is…

Why can’t they refer the participant to a certified Yoga Therapist?

 The difference between a Yoga Instructor, a Yoga Teacher and a Yoga Therapist is that the Therapist has much more additional academic knowledge about ailments and Yogic practices used for healing and rehabilitating the said patients. The Yoga Therapist understands the contra-indications for every yogic practice and has experienced healing similar cases, which an instructor or a teacher doesn’t.

 Secondly, the most important aspect being, that the Yoga Therapist has been certified by a reputed institution to conduct those specific practices to heal respective participants.

What next? The next level of confusion

 There are hundreds and thousands of types of Yoga practices.

Eg. Hatha Yoga, Iyengar Yoga, Patanjali Yoga, Mysore Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga, Swara Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Bikram Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, Hot Yoga, Nude Yoga, Beer Yoga and the list is long enough to continue…

 Which of these is the right form or type for Yoga Therapy?

And the last level of confusion…

 What is the difference between Yoga and Yoga Therapy?

 Yoga is for everybody. It is for Well-being. It is for staying Healthy.

 I’ll give you an example…

 Suppose, there are 10 people attending yoga class every morning from 6-7 at XYZ studio.

 Now, everybody has their own personal objective to join this class.

 Someone may join the class to improve their flexibility.

 Someone to reduce weight, someone to improve their agility and so on.

 Here the individual objectives are set by the participants.

At the end of 3 or 6 months, everybody will achieve a part of their objective… irrespective of the proportion or percentage of achievement.

 What happens in Yoga Therapy? This is an Objective-Driven Practice.

 Here the objective is not set by the participant, but by the therapist.

 If it is a class for healing and rehabilitation of Asthma, they will not be taught how to become flexible or reduce weight, etc.

 Every part of the protocol will be in favour of healing and rehabilitating asthma.

 This clearly defines the difference between and Yoga and Yoga Therapy.

By the way, the most important aspect of Yoga Therapy is still a secret taught to the therapists and explained by the therapist to every patient or participant they teach. I do explain it to all my participants and patients during the introductory session.

Your Takeaway for Today: The Art of Perfect Breathing

I will teach you the most important part of yoga therapy today. I hope you understand it properly and takeaway the same with you so that you can use it for the rest of your life.

What is the most important thing that enables you and me to be a part of this universal ecosystem called life?

 It’s PRANA!  The life Force.

 Prana is the energy that enables us to exist.

 Prana is the fabric of human existence which keeps you and me connected to this whole universe.

 In today’s chaotic world, the most important thing that is required is to be with our loved ones in good health.

 If we aren’t fit and healthy, we would be suffering from disorders or ailments and would most likely lose this precious life.

 Breathing is the most important activity which enables us to keep going. Our health totally depends on the WAY we breathe.

 If we breathe haphazardly, we invite diseases.

 Do you know that we utilize only 14 % of the capacity of our vital breathing apparatus which forms our respiratory system?

 If our breathing pattern is improved, we will cure ourselves of more than 50% health problems that we face currently.

 OKAY! Having said that…

 Let us see, what is the Right method of breathing?

 Inhale through the Nostrils.

 Exhale out completely through the Nostrils.

 The mouth is not involved at any stage during the process of breathing.

 So henceforth no more exhalations through the mouth.

 [Until and unless you are specifically asked to breathe through your mouth]

So how do we breathe in the right WAY?

 Exhale out completely through the nose.

STEP 01

Inhale deeply and slowly and simultaneously expand [Balloon] your abdomen.

STEP 02

Exhale out slowly and completely and simultaneously deflate your abdomen.

This is known as Deep Abdominal Breathing.

 This should be your full-time hobby. Practice this breathing deliberately, as many times as possible, throughout the day.

What is the Second Body?
I will answer this question in my next post on this blog. 
Keep reading. Be in touch. Take care.

Lots of Love and Hugs

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Which is the Golden Sutra?

Patañjali’s Yoga Sutras are a compilation of sutras (aphorisms) about the theory and practice of yoga as a way of life – 195 sutras (according to Vyasa and Krishnamacharya) and 196 sutras (according to other scholars including BKS Iyengar).

One of these is the Golden Sutra.

Which one?

Why?

How?

The first sutra.

Atha Yoga Anushasanam means “now, the practice of yoga begins”

It means, “Now, the teachings of Yoga” ~Yoga Sutras 1.1

Why is this Golden Sutra?

“Now, the practice of yoga begins”

This Sutra stands true for everybody. Irrespective of the age, experience, wisdom, duration of practice or any other qualification, the person who has read and understood this sutra automatically is ready to learn, accept, adapt and live Yoga from this moment.

What is Atha?

NOW

What is Yoga?

UNION

What is Anushasanam?

ANU is an ATOM.

SHASANAM is the DISCIPLINE.

It means that this moment is willing to help you to experience the union of the innermost atom within your core and teach you something extraordinary because you are disciplined enough to stay in this present moment.

Every day, every moment, when you do something new, like when you sit on your mat, or you are contemplating in solitude, or you are working on a project, or you are engaged in a deep conversation with someone… if you are fully conscious and aware of your existence and what you are doing right now, if you are dwelling in this moment, if you are only present here, now within this interaction, then you are bringing new and fresh energy to this interaction. You are beginning a new chapter with this new energy that you are infusing into this interaction. It is only you who understands why this nurturing is important for the interaction. This nourishment that you are providing to this interaction compels the universe to take note of your interaction and manifest what you intend. This is the way of life… keep being here, now and every moment. Be there fully and wholly and execute the will of your soul through the teachings of this Golden Sutra, “Now, the teachings of Yoga: Atha Yoga Anushasanam.”

Let me make it simpler for you…

There are millions of yogis on this planet. There could be billions of yogis in this universe. These are the souls who keep guiding gullible and vulnerable Sadhakas like you and me on how to move ahead in our passage called life. One moves ahead, with the help of adhering to the disciplines of the Laws of nature, the Laws of Karma, the Laws of Mercy, Forgiveness and Compassion.  

Atha is the most auspicious word. It means “now.” It calls our attention to the fact that something very important is about to be taught — right now — not “once upon a time” in the past, or sometime in the future — but now in this present moment.

This is so inviting, because when anyone opens this book and reads that first word, automatically yoga is teaching the most important aspect of life to that person; it’s about them — it has association with the life they are living right at that moment. Atha makes yoga a live form of teaching, not something archaic that was studied by ancients at some point in history, but an invitation to Be Here Now.

The person in question may be the greatest yogi on earth, he may be a simple sadhaka, trying to learn something from its nascent stages or he may be an actor like most of the modern-day mystics and yogis. If this person says that he is teaching you something, just be assured that today he is going to learn something from you. If he has an open mind, is aware and conscious, he will learn something very important, because he will be fully present there in that moment. Being there in the moment is what this sutra is trying to teach us. “Now, the teachings of Yoga”… Atha Yoga Anushasanam.

What can be the Yogic Way to Attain Academic Excellence?
I will answer this question in my next post on this blog. 
Keep reading. Be in touch. Take care.

Lots of Love and Hugs

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Yoga Therapy for Psychosomatic Disorders

Stress is the root cause of psychosomatic ailments. An individual can manifest one or many ailments while undergoing stress. I have listed below a few which are widely known, but this list doesn’t limit the ailments, there are many more …

Yoga Therapy for Cardio Vascular Diseases:

  • Hypertension
  • Ischemic Heart Disease
  • Coronary Heart Disease
  • Peripheral Vascular Disease
  • Cardiovascular Disorder

Yoga Therapy for Respiratory Disorders:

  • Chronic Asthma
  • COPD [Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder]
  • Allergic Rhinitis
  • Pulmonary Tuberculosis
  • Sleep Apnea[also written as  Apnoea]
  • Snoring, etc.

Yoga Therapy for Neurological Disorders:

  • Migraine and Tension Headache
  • Cerebro-Vascular Accidents
  • Epilepsy
  • Autonomic Dysfunction
  • Idiopathic Parkinson’s Disease
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Refractory Errors of Vision, etc.

Yoga Therapy for Rheumatology:

  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Muscular Dystrophy
  • Connective Tissue Disorder
  • Back Pain, etc.

Yoga Therapy for Digestive Disorders:

  • Acid Peptic Disease [Duodenal Ulcer, Gastric Ulcer]
  • IBS [Irritable Bowel Syndrome]
  • Hepatitis,
  • Acidity
  • Constipation
  • Piles, Fistula, Fissure, Hemorrhoids, etc.

Yoga Therapy for Psychological Disorders:

  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder
  • Mood Disorders
  • Schizophrenia
  • Chemical Dependence and Substance Abuse
  • Eating Disorders [Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge-Eating]
  • Phobias
  • Mental Retardation
  • OCD [Obsessive Compulsive Disorder]
  • PSTD [Post Traumatic Stress Disorder], etc.

Yoga Therapy for Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders:

  • Diabetes Mellitus
  • Thyroid Dysfunction [Hyperthyroid, Hypothyroid, Goiters and Thyroid Nodules]
  • Disorders of Adrenal Cortex [Adrenal Glands, Addison’s Disease, Adrenal Tumors]
  • Obesity, etc.

Yoga Therapy for Obstetrics and Gynecological Problems:

  • Pregnancy [including Pre and Post]
  • Pregnancy Induced Hypertension
  • IUGR [Intra Uterine Growth Restriction]
  • Menstrual Disorders [Amenorrhea, Dysmenorrhea, Menorrhagia, PMS, PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder)], etc.

Yoga Therapy for Rehabilitation:

  • Rehabilitation after Neurological Disorders
  • Cardiac Disorders
  • Musculoskeletal Disorders, etc.

Apart from these ailments, Yoga therapy helps in breaking the mental blocks which an individual creates during his/her lifetime. There is a lot of notional correction needed when yoga therapy is implemented. Usually, the course starts with a small theory session. This session covers most of the notional correction needed. These mental blocks are instrumental in holding back the said individual from performing his/her professional, personal and societal chores which are actually deep-rooted and inculcated within them, due to the earlier training they have undergone.

How can Yoga Therapy help Women’s problems?
I will answer this question in my next post on this blog. 
Keep reading. Be in touch. Take care.

Lots of Love and Hugs

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Individual Stress Management

Stress is the biggest killer on the face of this planet. Stress minimizes the quality of life, the duration of life and the very essence of life, which is to live life happily and peacefully. What are the different types of stress? It could be Work Stress, Performance Anxiety, Peer Pressure, Social Stress, Physical Stress, Mental Stress, Family Stress, Stress from Peer Pressure, etc. It could also be because of co-workers. How Co-Workers Cause Stress? There are several ways colleagues can cause or increase the stress levels of other co-workers

  • By manipulating them to obey orders
  • By justifying inappropriate behaviours and work styles
  • By means of favouritism and groups

Often in busy work conditions, one finds it extremely difficult to communicate with their seniors or boss about their heavy workload. A two-fold reason is aptly responsible for this situation.

Firstly, you worry that something you plan to say will be used against you and you could lose the job. Deep down in the pit of your belly, you identify with feelings like,” I can’t handle this work, someone else can, I am dispensable and that is dangerous.”

Secondly, your rational mind thinks that you are not working hard enough, smart enough or efficient enough and you suffer in silence, which in turn is more dangerous for yourself. What is the result? “You overcommit because you are ambitious or you want to impress your boss, but then when you fail to deliver, or you deliver work that is rushed or of poor quality, which could be suggestive or indicative that you are not reliable.

The pressure of losing this opportunity to earn money forces the individual to undergo all types of stress while at work and also at the so-called leisure. As far as understanding stress is concerned, a lot of research has been done and there is more than sufficient evidence that stress is the root cause of psychosomatic ailments [read disorders]. A very important factor here could be to rightly interpret perceived stress as imaginary and actually nonexistent. This realization itself will highly minimize the mental and emotional burden from the individual’s mind. There is a long list of Psychosomatic Ailments which are manifested by an individual undergoing stress.

The IT industry [just to name one] is synonym with the stress it generates amongst its employees. Same is the case with almost all corporate jobs. Many of us are absolutely unaware or completely ignore the kind of stress most of the workers undergo. This is an area where Yoga Therapy could be of great help. What happens, in turn, is that the said individual after learning to manage his/her stress shows dramatic and positive changes in his production capacity [Work Output] apart from enjoying good health. With more practice, they will realize that their ailments have started gradually disappearing.

Irrespective of the industry you are in, irrespective of your position, your skillsets, your experience and all the expertise you have, you will find your career graph moving at a plateau. This performance plateau is absolutely difficult to be identified, leave alone working on it.

How can Yoga Therapy help?

We need to understand the difference between a normal yoga practice [a group class for well-being] and a Yoga Therapy Session. In a group class, every participant can or may have an individual agenda or their own reason for attending the said yoga session, eg. Weight loss, flexibility, agility, endurance, overall health, etc.  Whereas in yoga therapy, the trainer has a specific goal in mind. The trainer drives the individual or the whole group to a pre-decided agenda. Yoga therapy sessions are objective –oriented sessions, eg. Sessions for Stress management, restoration of health from specific ailments, backache, etc.

At Golden Sutra, the trainer teaches research-based and proven practices to manage stress. These practices are originating from the ancient scriptures of Indian Philosophy like Vedas, Upanishads, etc. One can understand every detail about these practices when you undertake a simple workshop of 3 hours. To learn more about this, check the workshops section on this site.

Which Ailments can be healed or cured through Yoga Therapy?
I will answer this question in my next post on this blog. 
Keep reading. Be in touch. Take care.

Lots of Love and Hugs

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Performance Plateau; Upward Graph of a Sportsman

There comes a time in the graph of every individual, where he/she cannot excel, irrespective of how hard they may try. They know everything about their game, trade, profession… but somehow they cannot rise up from this performance plateau.

For a sportsman, an ideal body will have the following features which are only results of yogic practice. While at rest all muscles are relaxed and joints remain loose to conserve energy. Even the metabolic rate is low. During normal activities, just the necessary amount of energy is used. At crucial times, under high stress, the different organs and glands coordinate in sync with the different physiological systems in such a way that only the necessary energy gets evoked and profusely flows to the regions which need it most. Thus, the body gets all the necessary strength to deal with the situation. This stamina through harnessing of inner vital energies and training the different organs and systems to work in such coordination can be effectively accomplished only by yogic practices. It is in this area of application of yoga that the specialists in physical cultures, sportsmen, acrobats, gymnasts, etc. are keenly interested and putting yoga to the utmost use.

With regular practice, one develops intuition, foresight, reflex and peripheral vision to be highly competitive in every sport. Important changes visible in the person practising these protocols will be an improvement in observation, performance [sport and academic], calm and balanced body and mind due to the improved ability to relax, improved strength, power, endurance, accuracy, footwork where needed and minimizing the chances of injury.

With so much information available at our fingertips, it has become difficult to verify authentic knowledge from garbage forwards. Today, sensible and educated strata of the society will accept anything that is proven to bring ease into their lives, be it technology, communication, health & wellness or scope of improving one’s lifestyle. Earlier people accepted technology based on science because it convinced them about the ease of living with an appropriate and secure future. Similarly, now the society is ready to accept Yoga as an alternative form of therapy because of the result of research already conducted and published. It has been proven that Yoga Therapy is one of the forms of alternative healing modalities which have already been accepted across the globe due to the results people have experienced.

To read more about Performance Plateau, please read my article on LinkedIn by clicking here https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/performance-plateau-alberto-menezes

How can I manage my Stress through Yogic practice?
I will answer this question in my next post on this blog.
Keep reading. Be in touch. Take care.

Lots of Love and Hugs

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Welcome to Golden Sutra

I have seen a successful restoration of the physical condition of most of my patients [participants] in ailments like Asthma, Hypertension, Migraine and Tension Headache, Diabetes, Partial Heart Blockages, Backache, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Etc.

” Integrated Approach of Yoga Therapy and not just the practice of Asanas and Pranayamas will help to heal the person suffering. “

#YogaTherapyByAlberto

Recently there was an article published by the Daily Mail Reporter
[ link: http://goldensutra.com/nhs ] wherein Prince Charles has urged doctors to recommend Yoga Therapy as an effective alternative therapy so as to ease the pressure on NHS.

How to overcome a Performance Plateau?
I will answer this question in my next post on this blog. 
Keep reading. Be in touch. Take care.

Lots of Love and Hugs