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