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Yoga and Healing III - Systems

Musculoskeletal System

Generally: stretching allows muscles to relax thus receiving increased blood flow and oxygen.

Stiffness
Movement is treatment
Use warm-ups and basic postures

Over flexible - tendons and ligaments too loose, therefore weak
Strengthen joints: Elbow, Knee, and Back

Inflammatory diseases: Fibromyalgia, Arthritis, etc.
Increased blood flow relaxes area
Gentle Yoga and stretching
Avoid excessive pressure on joints

Osteoporosis
Created by lack of movement against gravity, which diminishes bone growth and decreases circulation. Yoga, walking.

Lower back pain
Knees to chest (Apanasana)
Relieves vertebral compression or misalignment

Carpal tunnel
Wear wristbands
Use fists, when doing Cobra (Bhujangasana), Inclined Plane, etc
Build up wrists by squeezing

Cardiovascular System

Cardiac conditions
Avoid: Hot, vigorous, intense practice Intense inversions
Do not hold breath
Do not hold postures for an extended time
Do not overexert oneself
Improving circulation through Yoga improves heart efficiency

Hypertension - regulated by medication, or Glaucoma and Detached Retina
Hold the following for 15 sec. or less:
Half shoulder stand (Ardha Sarvanasana)
Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukhasvanasana)
Standing Yoga Mudra
Camel (Ustrasana)
Fish (Matsyasana)
Bridge (Setu Bandhasana)

Arteriosclerosis
Yoga generally relaxes vessels for better circulation

Phlebitis and Varicose Veins
Short holding of postures
Legs up the wall

Practice Forward Bends
Stimulates 'relaxation response' to lower blood pressure and heart rate

Respiratory System

Asthma:
Gentle practice with short holds
Practice chest opening - use pranayama bolster
Nadi Shodna is excellent - suggest twice daily
Ujjayi and Kappalubhati breathing while in posture
Practice Pigeon (Kapotasana) and Cobra (Bhujangasana)
Relaxation is key

Emphysema
Practice slow regular breathing
      Start shallow
      Practice abdominal breathing
Gentle slow postures
No holding breath
No vigorous postures

Digestive System

Inversions, twists and forward bends
Reposition organs and encourage peristalsis
Wring out toxins
Replenish fresh blood supply

Diarrhea
Avoid belly down poses
Practice slow Ujjayi breathe

Constipation - do forward bends

Poor digestion
Belly down postures
Kapalabhati

Gallbladder and Liver
Half moon pose (Ardha Chandrasana)

Ulcers, irritable bowel, Crohn's disease
Avoid Kapalabhati and stomach pumping
Practice Ujjayi
Relaxation is key

Incontinence
Practice Mula Bandha

Nervous System

Parkinson's, Epilepsy, M.S.
Emphasis grounding and being in the body
Gentle practice, short holding and slow steady breathe
Shoulder stand sooths nerves and calms fear and anxiety
Practice assisted balancing postures

M.S.
Relaxation and stretching helps the myelin sheath to rejuvenate

Anxiety
Slow deep breathing reverses 'flight or fight' response
Slow steady postures
Tadasana, 1/2 Moon (Ardha Chandrasana), Sphinx
Tone the adrenals
Cobra (Bhujangasana) Bridge (Setu Bandhasana)

Depression
Reinforcement and encouragement

Endocrine System

Hypothyroid
Yoga is efficient treatment
Shoulder stand to balance thyroid.

Hyperthyroid
No overexertion
Keep head in line with spine or tucked into chest.

Diabetes
Rejuvenate the pancreas: Cobra (Bhujangasana) Boat (Navasana) Camel
(Ustrasana) and Bridge (Setu Bandhasana)
Relaxation is crucial

Immune System

Stimulate thymus
Pigeon (Kapotasana) Fish(Matsyasana)
Supine postures with elevated pelvis
Encourage:
      Breathing and relaxation
      Being present in the body
      Being sensitive to their energy levels
      Increase circulation of blood and lymphatic systems

Fatigue
Fewer poses held for shorter time
More supportive, stationary, restorative poses

Reproductive System

Male:
Prostrate tone, bladder control, and sexual stamina
Practice Mula Bandha, pelvic tilts, Bridge (Setu Bandhasana)

Female:
Displaced or prolapsed uterus
Avoid Baddhakonasana
Practice Half Shoulder stand (Ardha Sarvangasana)

Endometriosis
Practice squatting postures

Menstruation
Practice prone postures, Child's Pose (Garbhasana), Yoga Mudra,
Squatting (Utkatasana)
Practice Joint Freeing Series to eliminate excess energy and fluids

Pregnancy
Strengthen pelvis floor, genital area and anal sphincter w/ Bandhas
Open hips w/ Warrior I (Virabhadrasana I) Extended Triangle
Stretch inner thigh adductors w/ Spread Leg Stretch (Upavistha Konasana)
Stretch groin w/ Forward Bends and Frog (Mandukasana)