BKS Iyengar writes, “In the first instance, yoga is not a therapeutic science at all. Yoga is a science for liberating the soul by bringing the consciousness, the mind and the body to a stage of integration.”
Though this was its original aim, yoga has many other benefits:
Healing, health, peace and equanimity can also be by – products of our yoga practice.
Because of these by-products, today Yoga is often considered a medical science. Consider the following definitions:
The word Yoga means:
- joining, union, junction, combination,
- application, use, means, result,
- deep meditation, concentration and contemplation of the Supreme spirit.
The word Therapy means:
- the treatment of disease or disorders, as by some remedial, rehabilitating, or curative process.
- a curative power or quality.
- any act, hobby, task, program, etc., that relieves tension.
Clearly, we can see through these definitions, that by its very nature, Yoga is therapeutic.
“Our health, our very existence depends on the respiratory and circulatory functions. These are the two gates to the kingdom of the human system and if either of them is blocked disturbed or locked, then diseases will result.” BKS Iyengar
Our yoga practice is designed to open these two gates.
So whether your intention is to practice yoga for Health and healing or for liberating the soul,
know that both are worthy endeavours.
Our next step is to practice yoga today.
