YOGA

(Complementary and Alternative Medicine)

Estayo, Emmylou Joy

Frias, Tiffany Kyla

 The word “yoga” is derived from the Sanskrit word yuj meaning “union” or “yoking”, which originally referred
to the practice of seeking union between the self and the divine.

 Yoga is an ancient and complex practice, rooted in Indian philosophy. It began as a spiritual practice but has
become popular as a way of promoting physical and mental well-being and has been adapted for use in
complementary and integrative medicine internationally.
• An ancient Indian practice, yoga has been classified by the National Center for Complementary and
Alternative Medicine as a mind-body medicine modality.

 Yoga was first mentioned in the “Rig Veda”- one of the four oldest sacred text in Hinduism . The Rig Veda was
written between 1800 and 1850 B.C. in the Indus Valley in modern-day India.
 Yoga is a healing system of theory and practice, its a combination of
breathing exercises, physical postures, and meditation, practiced for over
5,000 years.

 Yoga is considered a mind-body intervention that is used to reduce the health

effects of generalized stress.

 Yoga is believed to calm the nervous system and balance the body, mind, and
spirit.

• It is thought by its practitioners to prevent specific diseases and maladies by

keeping the energy meridians open and life energy (Prana) flowing.

 Yoga has been used to lower blood pressure, reduce stress, and improve
coordination, flexibility, concentration, sleep, and digestion.

According to this survey, Yoga was the 5th most commonly used CAM therapy
(2.8%) in the United States during 2002.
SHIVA
• Shiva (Śiva) is a Hindu deity with many incarnations. He's part of the Trimurti (alongside Brahma and Vishnu)
and represents multiple benevolent paradoxes.
• Because he was the first yogi from whom all yogic knowledge was granted, Shiva is the god of yogis and yoga
practice.
• Shiva is the source of yogic traditions. When an individual practices yoga and achieves union between mind, body
and spirit, they achieve harmony with all things; therefore, they experience nothingness because the ego is
destroyed.
Patanjali
- He codified the practice and teachings of yoga in collection of aphorisms called the “Yoga Sutras”.
-He is known as the Father of modern yoga.

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali refers to 8 limbs of yoga, each of which offers guidance on how to live a
meaningful and purposeful life.
 The 8 Limbs of Yoga
-also called “Ashtanga yoga”, which literally means "eight limbs" (ashta=eight, anga=limb).

• YAMA- Restraints, moral discipline, or moral vows

5 Ethical precepts:
Ahimsa (non- violence)
Satya ( truthfulness)
Asteya ( non-stealing)
Brahmacharya ( right use of energy)
Aparigraha ( non-greed or non-hoarding)
• NIYAMA- Positive duties and observances
5 Personal practices:
Saucha (cleanliness)
Santosha (contentment)
Tapas (discipline or burning desire or conversely, burning of desire)
Svadhyaya (self-study or self-reflection, and study of spiritual texts)
Isvarapranidaha (surrender to a higher power).
• ASANA- Posture
• PRANAYAMA- Breathing Techniques
• PRATYAHARA- Sense withdrawal
• DHARANA- Focused Concentration
• DHYANA- Meditative absorption
• SAMADHI- Bliss or enlightenment
 Yoga therapy
• Is a type of therapy that uses yoga postures, breathing exercises, meditation, and guided imagery
to improve mental and physical health. The holistic focus of yoga therapy encourages the
integration of mind, body, and spirit.
• According to the International Association of Yoga Therapists:
“Yoga therapy is the process of empowering individuals to progress toward improved health and well-
being through the application of the teachings and practices of Yoga.”

Therapeutic yoga
Is defined as the application of yoga postures and practice to the treatment of health conditions and involves
instruction in yogic practices and teachings to prevent reduce or alleviate structural, physiological, emotional and
spiritual pain, suffering or limitations
Top 10 benefits of practicing yoga

• Yoga increases your flexibility.

• Yoga helps you to build strength.
• Yoga improves your posture.
• Yoga helps to keep your joints healthy.
• Yoga is a powerful mindfulness practice.
• Yoga reduces stress.
• Yoga lowers blood pressure.
• Yoga helps you to make healthier life choices.
• Yoga improves breathing
• Yoga encourages your body’s natural
healing process

The Five Major Principles of Yoga

• Proper Exercise (Asanas)
• Proper Breathing (Pranayama)
• Proper Relaxation (Savasana)
• Proper Diet and Nutrition.
• Positive Thinking and Meditation
9 types of yoga therapies
• Hot Yoga - Hot Yoga is popularly known as Bikram Yoga. Hot Yoga or Bikram
Yoga is a form of yoga which comprises of 26 postures.  It provides maximum
stretch to the ligaments and tendons, increases oxygen supply, relieves stress,
tones your muscles, reduces back pain and rejuvenates your body.
• Kripalu Yoga therapy-  helps you to acknowledge your capabilities and take your
own decisions by being independent, allows you to feel the connection between
your body and the supreme power of the universe.
• Phoenix rising yoga therapy- It helps you in stress management, healing trauma,
overcoming relationship issues, dealing with menopause, cancer healing and
aging.
• Anusara Yoga therapy- It is great for your lungs, increases flexibility, improves
physical strength and mental stability.
• Kundalini yoga therapy- is a yoga form which not only strengthens muscles and
maintains physique but also acts as a third eye opener to re-engineer one’s inner self.
• Tantra therapy - stimulates the energy in your body which helps you to develop the
passion and re-discover magic of romance.
• Forest therapy - supports healing as nature is the ultimate healer.  It declutters
negative thoughts from your mind and promotes realistic and positive thoughts. It
increases the level of awareness, inner balance, and wholeness.
• Structural yoga therapy- deals with knowing the overall health of the client, his
ailments, lifestyle, and personality. 
• Integrative yoga therapy- with meditation process to cure chronic ailments such as
back pain, sleeping disorder, excessive stress, going through a life change, Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder or body image issues.