Specific Therapeutic Techniques – Yoga

Yoga is an ancient, age-old science that helps the practitioner deal with a host of life’s problems.



The basis of Yoga being “union”, it has to do with harmonizing the individual, who is, in fact a composite of many parts.

“Yogaschitta vrittis nirodah” is a Yoga sutra from the sage Patanjali’s epic text, meaning to say that Yoga has to do with the cessation of the commotion in the mind. Considering that life is all about mind over matter, Yoga lays more stress on mental gymnastics and aerobics. True, the physique is also taken care of.



Far from neglected, there is a set of exercises, Surya Namaskar and an estimated 8,40,000 asanas. No one can even hope to learn them in a lifetime, let alone master them all.

Nor are all of them remotely required. We practise Yoga for a purpose.



True, our aims and objectives keep changing over time – nothing wrong with that either. The point is to exploit the science – and art – to the hilt in a bid to get the most out of our time. Sometimes, we also spend a great deal of money learning Yoga; so better take the practices seriously. The best way to be serious about Yoga – and this may sound dichotomous – is not to be overtly serious.

That is the secret to the specific therapeutic techniques Yoga has to offer. Relaxation is the key: for which there is primarily one pose. That is Shavasana, the corpse pose. As you advance in your practices you will come to realize how simple things are and how all poses can serve to relax, even the supposedly tough ones.

The other specific therapeutic technique is breathing. Breathe deeply, slowly and long. Most of us breathe shallowly and suffer for it. Remember the mind and breath are closely connected. In panic or anger, you will notice your breath automatically get shallow and rapid. Try slowing down your breath and you’ve calmed your mind. The rest is as simple as ABC. Relax and breathe deeply. Let life – and Yoga – do the rest of its own accord.