Practice of the Month
Yogavani in Hands, Yoga in Hearts: Moments of Distribution 
In a landmark moment for the Indian Yoga Association, Yogavani was released in its first-ever physical print edition with the February 2025 issue. This tangible expression of our yogic heritage was warmly received as members of IYA enthusiastically distributed copies to esteemed personalities, institutions, and...
Formation of the new committee for the Nagaland SCC 
In alignment with the Indian Yoga Association’s vision to strengthen and streamline its operations across the North-East, a decision was taken during the Executive Council Meeting held on January 28, 2025 under the leadership of the Maa Dr. Hansa Ji Yogendra, President, IYA, to reform...
IYA’s Gujarat State Chapter Committee reforms 
This report outlines the reformation of the Gujarat State Chapter Committee of the Indian Yoga Association, carried out through a Circular Resolution process in response to recent developments and to ensure continued and effective functioning of the Chapter. The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the...
Reconstitution of Uttar Pradesh State Chapter Committee 
To strengthen the presence and outreach of the Indian Yoga Association in Uttar Pradesh, a Circular Resolution was passed for the reformation of the State Chapter Committee. The objective is to bring together dedicated yoga professionals and institutional representatives to promote IYA’s vision and facilitate...
New committee appointed for Puducherry State Chapter 
In a virtual meeting held on February 23, 2025, in the presence of IYA Joint Secretary Dr. Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani, it was unanimously decided to reform the Puducherry State Chapter Committee to enhance the activities of the Indian Yoga Association in the region. Nominations were...
Indian Yoga Association reconstitutes West Bengal State Chapter Committee 
In the Executive Council meeting held on January 28, 2025 under the leadership of Maa Dr. Hansa Ji Yogendra, President, IYA a resolution was passed to reform the West Bengal State Chapter Committee (WBSCC). Nominations were subsequently invited from Life Members, Associate Centres, and Member...
Ananda Chaitanya Foundation’s transformative journey: Empowering minds and uplifting society 
In February 2025, Ananda Chaitanya Foundation (ACF) hosted a series of transformative events that blended ancient yogic wisdom with modern practical applications, touching the lives of individuals from diverse backgrounds. The month kicked off with the Focus – Meditation Intensive Program, a two-day immersive event...
Vedic Kaya Sadhana organises certificate distribution ceremony 
Vedic Kaya Sadhana recently held a certificate distribution ceremony to honor students for their dedicated participation and successful completion of yoga training programs. The event celebrated their progress and commitment to the path of traditional and therapeutic yoga.
A Milestone for the Indian Yoga Association – Chhattisgarh Chapter 
In a significant moment for the Indian Yoga Association (IYA), the Dr. Mritunjay RathoreSecretary, IYA Chhattisgarh State Chapter had the honor of meeting Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Ji, Chairman of IYA. The delegation sought his blessings and shared the chapter’s ongoing activities and key...
Aerial Yoga Workshop by Krish Yoga Vidhyaalaya and TMS Yoga Studio, Chennai 
Krish Yoga Vidhyaalaya, an Associate Centre of the Indian Yoga Association, in collaboration with TMS Yoga Studio, Chennai, successfully hosted a one-day Aerial Yoga Workshop on 15th March 2025. The session was led by Dr. C. Kamatchi, Founder of Krish Yoga Vidhyaalaya, who shared insightful...



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28 Apr 2025

Blog

Be a Yoga Chikitsak, a Noble Yoga Therapist
Editorial

Be a Yoga Chikitsak, a Noble Yoga Therapist 

Yogacharya Dr Ananda
Balayogi Bhavanani, Editor

समदोष: समाग्निश्व समधातुमलक्रिया:
प्रसन्नात्मेन्द्रियमना: स्वस्थ इत्यभिधियते।।

The best ever definition of health may be attributed to the father of surgery, Acharya Sushrut (~600 BC) who defined health as “a dynamic balance of the elements and humors, normal metabolic activity and efficient elimination coupled with a tranquil mind, senses and contented soul” (samadoshah samaagnishch samadhaatu–malakriyah, prasanna atmendriya manah swasth ityabhidheeyate. Sushrut Samhita, Sutrasthanam, 15:41).
Yoga to me is undoubtedly and truly the best means to achieve such a dynamic state of wholistic health.

As Yoga Chikitsa starts to be introduced into mainstream health care, we must not fall into the dangerous trap of claiming that Yoga is a miracle that can cure everything under the sun for that “puts off” the modern medical community more than anything. They then develop a stiff resistance to Yoga instead of becoming more open to this life giving and health restoring science.

As the use of Yoga Chikitsa in medical centers is still in its infancy we must be cautious about the after-effects we may produce by our conscious and unconscious thoughts, words and actions. Better to err on the side of caution than be true to the adage, “fools rush in where angels fear to tread”.

We must remember that, it is only when we begin to consciously understand our limitations that we can then grow and evolve multiplying our inherent strengths multifold.
I am not downplaying the potentiality of Yoga for it DOES have a role in virtually each and every condition affecting humankind. As stress is the main causative, precipitating and aggravating factor in every known disorder and disease, Yoga as the potent antidote to stress can for sure improve things for the better.

However, though Yoga can improve the condition of nearly every patient, it doesn’t necessarily translate into words such as cure.

Modern medicine doesn’t have a cure for most conditions and hence when Yoga therapists use such words, it creates a negative image and consequent reaction that does more harm than good.

We must remember that the wise “know” that they “know nothing”, the arrogant and ignorant fools “think” they “know everything”.
I would like to reiterate at this point the need of the modern age which is to have an integrated approach towards all forms of therapy. Integrative medicine is the future and we must try to integrate concepts of Yoga in coordination and collaboration with other systems of medicine such as Allopathy, Ayurveda, Siddha, Homeopathy and Naturopathy. Physiotherapy, osteopathy and chiropractic practices may be also used with the Yoga Chikitsa as required.

Lifestyle modification is the keyword and we must not forget that advice on diet and adoption of a healthy natural lifestyle is very important irrespective of the mode of therapy employed for the patient.

I feel that it is apt to end with a Subhashita, one of many witty and epigrammatic verses in Sanskrit literature that that taunts those doctors and therapists who do not treat their patients in a proper way and who are more interested in making money, name and fame than in curing them.

वैद्यराज नमस्तुभ्यं यमराज सहोदरः
यमस्तु हरति प्राणान् वैद्यः प्राणान् धनानि च

vaidyaraaja namastubhyam yamaraaja sahodarah

yamastu harati praanaan vaidyah praanaan dhanaani cha

This may be translated as follows. “Salutations to you O doctor, for you are the brother of Yamaraja, the Lord of death. Whereas Lord Yama takes away only our life, you take both our life as well as our money too”!

May we not become such inhospitable humans and may we do our best for all those who come into contact with us.
A judicious blend is required with a personalized and mindful approach to each individual, rather than the disease. Attempting to heal the individual with the disease, and not merely focusing on the disease; is a good motto to keep in mind at all times.

May we improve their life by the best of our efforts and may we always strive to have a balance between heart and head, between empathy and intelligence thus living Yoga as skill in action (karmasu koushalam) at all times.

May we all be true therapists, ones who care for our human brethren who are in the throes of suffering (duhkha).

May we enable them to attain as best as possible a state of health and wellbeing (sukha) through the living giving and life transforming art and science of Yoga.

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