CYCLE Program: Yoga Chikitsa and Psychotherapy by Dr. Stephen Parker

A brief Report by Yogasadhaka Nilachal

Introduction
The program, CYCLE — Continuous Yoga Chikitsa Learning and Education, features Yoga Chikitsa Ratna Dr. Stephen Parker (Stomaji), a pioneer in yoga therapy in North America, who was initiated into the Himalayan Yoga Tradition in 1971 and has extensive experience teaching and lecturing globally. Dr. Parker has been honored by the Indian Yoga Association for his service in Yoga Chikitsa or Yoga Therapy. He helped to originate and teach the first yoga course at the American Medical School at the University of Minnesota. He also authored a notable book, “Clearing the Path: The Yoga Way to a Clear and Pleasant Mind.”

In this session, he emphasizes the integration of yoga and modern medicine, highlighting the importance of addressing both physical and mental health through yoga practices. Stomaji discussed the concept of salutogenesis, which focuses on factors that support human health and well-being. He explained the significance of mindfulness in managing emotions and mental health. He also described the process of chitta prasadan or emotional purification and the role of mindfulness in observing and understanding emotions, leading to better mental and emotional well-being.

Neuroscience of Emotion and Its Relevance to Yoga Practices

Emotions are multifaceted psychological states that involve sensations, cognition, motivation, and samskara. Neuroscientific research has helped us understand how emotions are generated, processed, and regulated in the brain, which is vital for comprehending their influence on behavior and mental health.

Stomaji explained the four Components of Emotion

The following components interact to create the full experience of an emotion, which can be influenced by various practices, including yoga.

Sensation
Sensation encompasses the physical and physiological experiences that form the initial layer of our emotional response. These sensations are the body’s immediate reactions to stimuli, such as an increased heart rate, sweating, or a feeling of tightness in the chest when one is anxious or afraid. Sensations are fundamental because they provide the raw data that the brain uses to process and understand emotions. Stomaji emphasizes the importance of being mindful of these sensations through practices like pranayama and asana in yoga. By becoming more aware of bodily sensations, individuals can better understand their emotional states and respond to them more effectively.

Cognition
Cognition involves the mental processes that interpret the sensations we experience. It includes the thoughts, beliefs, and perceptions that we attach to our physical sensations. For example, a racing heart might be interpreted as excitement in a positive context or as anxiety in a negative one. Stomaji highlights that cognitive processes play a crucial role in shaping our emotional experiences. These mental interpretations can amplify or mitigate our emotional responses. Yoga practices such as mindfulness and meditation encourage non-judgmental observation of thoughts, helping individuals to reframe negative or unhelpful cognitive patterns and thus manage their emotions more skillfully.

Motivation
Motivation refers to the driving forces behind our actions that arise from our emotional states. Emotions often compel us to act in specific ways, seeking pleasure, avoiding pain, or achieving particular goals. For instance, feelings of love might motivate acts of kindness and commitment, whereas feelings of anger might lead to confrontation or withdrawal. Understanding the motivational aspect of emotions is essential for self-regulation and achieving long-term well-being. Parker suggests that yoga practices such as setting sankalpa or intentions and cultivating tapas or self-discipline help align our motivations with our deeper values, promoting actions that enhance mental and emotional health.

Samskara
Samskara refers to the deep-seated impressions left by past experiences and actions that influence our current emotional responses and behaviors. These are often subconscious and form habitual patterns that shape how we react to various situations. Stoma ji emphasizes that samskaras play a significant role in the habitual patterns of thinking, feeling, and acting. Yoga practices such as swadhyaya or self-study and mindfulness meditation aim to bring these samskaras to conscious awareness. By doing so, individuals can address and transform negative patterns, fostering personal growth and emotional resilience.

“Emotions are something you have. You are not emotion.”

Integrating Neuroscience and Yoga in Therapy

Stephen Parker’s insights into the neuroscience of emotion underscore the benefits of integrating yoga practices into therapeutic settings. Yoga techniques such as mindfulness, pranayama, asana, and meditation offer tools to improve emotional regulation and mental health.Mindfulness -Based Approaches: Combining mindfulness practices with therapeutic techniques can help manage various mental health issues. Mindfulness practices enhance emotional regulation by increasing awareness and reducing automatic reactivity, which is supported by neuroscientific research.

1. Yoga for Emotional Healing: Yoga practices, particularly those focusing on mindfulness and body awareness, help individuals reconnect with their emotions and bodies, promoting healing and resilience. The integration of yoga into therapy offers a holistic approach to emotional health.
2. Stress Management Programs: Incorporating yoga into stress management programs can help individuals reduce stress and enhance emotional well-being. Asana, Pranayama, Dhayana or meditation techniques lower physiological stress markers and improve overall health and vitality.

“One way to burn the samskara is to make a Choice to do something different.”

Application of Yoga in Managing Addictive Behaviors and Cravings

Addiction is often rooted in a complex interplay of unmet needs, emotional distress, and a desire for pleasure. Yoga provides a holistic approach to understanding and addressing these factors by promoting mindfulness, self-awareness, and emotional regulation. Through its practices, yoga offers tools to transform the relationship between cravings and addictive behaviors.

“Pleasure is the satisfaction of desire and Joy is the celebration of beauty”

Tapas: Joyful Concentration
One of the key concepts in yoga that can help manage addiction is ‘Tapas,’ which translates to joyful concentration or disciplined effort. Tapas encourages individuals to focus their energy and attention on positive, life-affirming activities, cultivating a sense of inner strength and resilience. By practicing Tapas, individuals can develop the discipline needed to resist cravings and break free from addictive behaviors. This disciplined effort is not about suppressing desires but transforming them into a more profound and fulfilling experience of joy.

“Tapas is enjoyment through concentration.”
Mindfulness and Cravings
Mindfulness, a core component of yoga, plays a crucial role in managing cravings. Mindfulness practices help individuals become more aware of their thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations, allowing them to observe cravings without immediate reaction. This awareness creates a space between the craving and the response, providing an opportunity to choose a healthier, more constructive action. Techniques such as mindful breathing, meditation, and body scans can help individuals develop this awareness and gain control over their impulses.

Pranayama: Pranic Regulation with Breath
Pranayama, the practice of breath regulation, is another powerful tool in managing addiction. Specific pranayama techniques can help calm the nervous system, reduce stress, and balance the mind. By focusing on the breath, individuals can shift their attention away from cravings and cultivate a sense of peace and stability. This practice can be particularly effective in moments of intense craving, providing an immediate and accessible way to manage emotional distress.

“Just refine your breath awareness. Everything will come to you.”

Asana: Yogic Postures for Balance
Asana, or physical yogic postures, are integral to yoga practice and have significant benefits for managing addiction. Regular practice of asanas helps to release physical tension, improve body awareness, and enhance overall well-being. Physical movement can also produce endorphins, the body’s natural mood elevators, which can reduce the reliance on external substances for pleasure. Moreover, the discipline required to maintain regular asana practice can help build resilience and a sense of accomplishment, further supporting recovery.

Fig. COAL: Compassion Openness Acceptance and Love
Recent Developments in Yoga Research and Its Implications for Psychotherapy
Advancements in Yoga Research
Recent developments in yoga research have provided deeper insights into the physiological and psychological benefits of yoga practices. These studies have explored various aspects of yoga, including its impact on stress reduction, emotional regulation, and overall mental health. Some of the key findings from recent research include:

1. Stress Reduction and Cortisol Levels: Research has shown that yoga practices, particularly mindfulness and pranayama, can significantly reduce cortisol levels, the hormone associated with stress. This reduction in stress hormones leads to a calmer mind and an improved ability to handle stressors.
2. Neuroplasticity and Brain Function: Studies have indicated that regular yoga practice can enhance neuroplasticity, and the brain’s ability to form new neural connections. This is particularly relevant for improving cognitive functions and emotional regulation. Yoga practices have been shown to increase the thickness of the prefrontal cortex, which is involved in decision-making and impulse control.
3. Emotional Regulation and Mindfulness: Yoga’s emphasis on mindfulness has been linked to better emotional regulation. Mindfulness practices help individuals become more aware of their emotional states and reduce automatic, often negative, reactions. This awareness fosters greater emotional stability and resilience.
4. Impact on Anxiety and Depression: Multiple studies have demonstrated that yoga can be an effective intervention for reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. The combination of physical postures, breath control, and meditation helps to calm the mind, reduce physiological arousal, and improve mood.

Implications for Psychotherapy
The integration of yoga into psychotherapy offers a multifaceted approach to mental health treatment. The recent research findings underscore the potential benefits of incorporating yoga practices into therapeutic settings. Here are some of the key implications for psychotherapy:

1. Holistic Approach to Mental Health: Yoga provides a holistic approach to mental health that addresses the mind, body, and spirit. This comprehensive framework can complement traditional psychotherapeutic techniques, offering clients additional tools for managing their mental health.
2. Enhanced Emotional Regulation: The focus on mindfulness and breath control in yoga can enhance clients’ ability to regulate their emotions. Therapists can incorporate yoga-based techniques to help clients develop greater emotional awareness and control, leading to improved outcomes in therapy.
3. Stress Management: Yoga’s proven efficacy in reducing stress makes it a valuable addition to psychotherapeutic interventions. Clients can benefit from yoga practices that help lower cortisol levels and promote relaxation, improving their overall stress resilience.
4. Improved Cognitive Functioning: The neuroplasticity benefits associated with yoga can support cognitive functioning, which is crucial for clients dealing with mental health issues. Improved decision-making, impulse control, and emotional processing can enhance the effectiveness of psychotherapy.
5. Complementary Treatment for Anxiety and Depression: Given the evidence supporting yoga’s effectiveness in reducing anxiety and depression, therapists can use yoga as a complementary treatment. Yoga practices can provide clients with practical tools to manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.

Practical Challenges and Solutions
Integrating yoga into psychotherapeutic settings also presents practical challenges that need to be addressed:

1. Training for Therapists: Therapists need proper training in yoga practices to effectively integrate them into their sessions. This includes understanding the principles of yoga, specific techniques, and their therapeutic applications.
2. Client Engagement and Compliance: Encouraging clients to engage in and comply with yoga practices can be challenging. Therapists should educate clients on the benefits of yoga, provide clear instructions, and offer support to foster adherence.
3. Cultural Sensitivity: It is essential to approach the integration of yoga with cultural sensitivity, acknowledging and respecting clients’ beliefs and backgrounds. Therapists should adapt yoga practices to align with clients’ cultural contexts.
4. Creating a Suitable Environment: Implementing yoga in therapy requires a suitable environment that allows for physical movement and relaxation. Therapists may need to modify their spaces or seek alternative locations to accommodate yoga practices.

Q&A Session
Several questions were being asked by the audience to Stomaji. He provided insightful answers drawing from his expertise in yoga and psychotherapy. Here, a few of them are mentioned:

Question: What is the relationship between emotions and the Maya?

Answer: Stomaji explained that emotions operate at different layers of our embodiment, just like Kundalini. He highlighted that understanding the depth and layers of emotions is crucial in managing them effectively, both in yoga practice and psychotherapy.

Question: How to help individuals who are living in the past and experiencing depression?

Answer: Stomaji emphasized the importance of breaking up the atmosphere that supports depression. He suggested creating a dynamic and engaging environment that encourages individuals to be present in the moment. This approach can help disrupt depressive patterns and promote a more positive outlook.

Question: What is the difference between emotional health and mental health?

Answer: Stomaji clarified that emotional problems are more related to what was traditionally considered neurotic or personality disorders. These issues are typically less medical in nature and more influenced by behavioral and psychological factors. In contrast, mental health problems often involve brain disorders, such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and obsessive-compulsive disorders, which usually respond well to medication. Stomaji emphasized that mindfulness and awareness are crucial in managing both types of issues, as they help individuals become more aware of their thoughts and emotions.

Question: Are emotions related to Manomaya kosha or Vijnanamaya kosha?

Answer: Stomaji responded that emotions are present in all layers of embodiment or koshas. He elaborated that emotions can be experienced at various levels, from the most physical to the most subtle aspects of our being. He suggested that this understanding is important for comprehensively addressing emotional issues through yoga and psychotherapy.

Conclusion
Stomaji’s session explored the connection between yoga and psychotherapy, highlighting the complex ways emotions are shaped and processed. His explanation of emotion neuroscience highlighted the significant impact of yoga practices on mental health. Techniques like mindfulness, pranayama, asana, and meditation enhance emotional regulation, cognitive functioning, and stress resilience. Also, recent research supports the holistic benefits of integrating yoga into therapeutic settings. However, challenges like therapist training and cultural sensitivity need to be addressed for effective integration. The session provided actionable insights for practitioners and clients, highlighting the practical applications of yoga in psychotherapy.