Therapeutic Yoga for the Layman: Freedom from Joint & Muscular Pains

By G S Sandhu

This book is dedicated to those who have suffered from severe pain, lower back or otherwise and have experienced its devastating impact. As we all know, birds and animals have neither doctors nor medicines; they cure themselves with their natural instinct, whereas our diseased body organs are restored to normal by administering medicine internally or externally. Why can’t our bodies also be healed with the help of Yoga Postures, Aqua-Pressure and Dietary Controls?
The aim of this book, therefore, is to make the general public aware of the yogic methods of treating various diseases and ailments. The emphasis on topics, choice of asanas and other exercises given have been deliberate only to highlight therapeutic yoga as a practical guide for stress-proofing of the body as well as the mind.
May yoga prosper in leaps and bounds and bring peace to the world!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Notion Press
• Release date: Dec 29, 2015
• ISBN: 9789352065776

Book preview

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Brief History of Yoga

According to tradition and scriptures, Lord Shiva is the founder of yoga, including asanas. He created all the asanas and taught them to his first disciple, PARVATI. It is said that there were originally 8,400,000 asanas, which represent the 8,400,000 incarnations every individual must pass through before attaining liberation from the cycle of birth and death. Throughout the centuries these asanas have been modified and reduced in number by the Great Rishis and Yogis who tend to live far from the society in the mountains and forests. Animals were the great teachers of these yogis, for they lived a natural life free from disease. Animals do not have doctors or drugs to cure their ailments, nature is their only helper. Many yogic techniques were developed by the yogis by studying the creatures of the forest that is why most of the yoga asanas are named after the name of the animals. There are now no more than a few hundred known asanas. Out of those only 84 are discussed in detail and only thirty or so are commonly thought of as being useful to modern man. Irrespective of the number of yoga asanas, it has been established without any shadow of doubt that, through constant practice of yoga, one can overcome all difficulties and eradicate all weaknesses. Pain can be transmitted into bliss, sorrow into joy and sickness into perfect health; provided the practice is done with determination, patience and persistence.

To conclude, we can say that yoga is universal, it is a path on which all those who have determination may start, whatever their age, social status, belief or religion. Yoga does not contain any mysteries and is accessible to everyone. There is just one condition and that is, it must be practiced regularly.

Purpose of Yoga Asanas

1. MEDITATION: Yoga asanas are practiced to develop one’s ability to sit in one position without discomfort for extended lengths of time, as this is of paramount importance and necessary during meditation.

2. Curative/Health Reason: Yoga is a union of body and mind with the supreme spirit. Yoga insists on keeping you young. Yoga asanas can also be performed for curative or health reasons. By gently stretching the muscles, massaging the internal organs and toning the nerves through the body, the health of the practitioner can be wonderfully improved and several diseases, even the so-called incurable ones can be eliminated or eased. There was a time when yoga was treated only as an ordinary subject applicable only in India, whereas these days yoga is a well known subject all over the world and 21st of June has been declared as the INTERNATIONAL YOGA DAY; furthermore yoga has been declared as a sport which will be included in national and international sports competitions.

Types of Yoga Asanas

1. Standing Asanas.

2. Forward Bending Asanas.

3. Backward Bending Asanas.

4. Spinal Twist Asanas.

5. Inverted Asanas.

6. Balancing Asanas.

7. Advanced Group of Asanas.

8. Asanas are also classified as Static and Dynamic practices.

Purpose of the Book

The name of the book itself gives abundant clarification that all sorts of In-Depth explanation have been deliberately avoided to keep the layman at a distance from any confusion. The main purpose of the book is to deal with Rheumatoid Joint Pain, Cervical and Back Pain and all sorts of joint and muscular pain anywhere in the body. No doubt pain is a natural thing, it is not easily and totally avoidable, because pain is not just the problem of the doctor to take care of but you yourself have to play a crucial role in getting rid of your pain, so never ignore pain but try to know why it occurs, share your know-how with your doctor, it would be a great