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More and more people, including doctors, are finding yoga techniques to be powerful therapeutic tools. Ananda Yoga Therapy is a particular approach designed to bring you a wealth of effective therapies for greater well-being on all levels – physical, mental, and spiritual.
The underlying premise of Ananda Yoga™ Therapy is that, whatever its outward symptoms, illness or disharmony of any kind is the result of a blockage or imbalance in the natural flow of energy (known as life-force, or prana) in the body. This in turn is caused by disharmonies or lack of understanding in the mind. In Ananda Yoga Therapy, we focus both on increasing mental harmony and clarity, and on restoring the energy flow to its natural, harmonious state, because energy is less subtle – and therefore easier to work with – than the mind. All the while, we also address any accompanying physical discomforts and imbalances.
A further premise is that all true yoga practice is inherently therapeutic. No external “healer” is needed; rather, the practitioner need only apply the appropriate methods in the proper way through:
- Correct technique
- Conscious cooperation with the natural workings of the life-force
- Bringing the power of the mind into the practice
- Relying not merely on techniques and willpower, but above all on the unlimited healing power of God
Wellness on All Levels
In Ananda Yoga Therapy, we work directly on both the outer level (muscles, joints, breath, organs, bodily systems, etc.) and the inner level (energy, mind, emotions, spiritual understanding). Some health problems appear to have more to do with the inner level, some more with the outer, but in fact all of them involve both levels.
“Outer” therapeutic techniques are employed as appropriate to improve bodily function, muscle balance, coordination, relaxation, strength, flexibility, economy of motion, and postural alignment in order to decrease discomfort and increase functionality. These techniques include:
- Yoga postures
- Energization Exercises (special energy-control techniques that Paramhansa Yogananda developed in order to help the practitioner increase, focus, and control the life-force)
- Yoga breathing exercises
- Specialized therapeutic exercises
- Dietary practices and other lifestyle modifications
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