Yoganidra

Dr.VS.Suresh Phd,FRHS,

Email : bksureshv@gmail.com

Yoganidra

Yoga-nidra is an efficient method of inducing complete physical, mental and emotional relaxation while maintaining consciousness. In fact Yoga Nidra not only brings physical and mental relaxation but also prepares the mind for spiritual evolution. It is mainly associates with pratyahara (withdrawing senses form sense-objects) and dharana (concentration).
In normal sleep consciousness is absent and the unconscious is in charge. In Yoga Nidra the consciousness directs the unconscious to relax. Yoga Nidra is a 'sleep' where all the burdens, stress, strain, anxiety are thrown off to attain more blissful state of awareness, a relaxation much more intense than ordinary sleep. Yoga Nidra is said to be the doorway to samadhi!'
Generally Yoga-nidra is practiced in Shavasana or sitting position. It may last for 25 to 45 min. It is important to remain awake and aware during the practice.

Relaxation
Preliminary preparation of the body.

Resolve
A personal goal is programmed into the unconsciousness. 'Sankalpa' (resolve)
A very special feature of Yoga-nidra is 'Sankalpa', a positive resolve about the aim in life. The relaxed body and mind are ideal soil for making a resolve. The 'Sankalpa' is affirmative autosuggestion of the statement. These are short, positive, precise about what you want to achieve.

e.g.
"I am successful,"
"I am peaceful,"
"I am becoming happier, healthier and more relaxed",
"I will awaken my spiritual potential",
"I will be successful in my all undertakings",
"I will achieve total health",
"I will be a positive help in spiritual progress of others", etc.

This recitation of auto suggestions in relaxed mind (alpha level of brain waves) sinks easily into subconscious mind and direct the conscious mind to transform the positive thought into reality.

Rotation of Consciousness
The consciousness is taken on a tour of the whole body in a structured fashion. The person has to just visualize the parts of the body to rotate the awareness. one has to shift one’s awareness from one part to the other. The whole process should be a pleasure and not a burden. There should not be any anxiety or expectation.

Respiration

• A period of awareness of the breath at special positions in the body.
• After rotation of the consciousness in such a sequence, focusing the attention on the act of breathing completes physical relaxation. One simply maintains awareness of breath, either at the nostril or of its passage through the navel and throat. This helps to withdraw the sense centers from their objects of sensations in "pratyahara".

Feelings and Sensations

• Pairs of feelings and emotions are experienced.
• Now an effort is made to bring to memory the intense physical and emotional feelings; they are re-experienced or re-lived and then effaced. Usually this is practiced with pairs of two opposite feelings like hot and cold, lightness and heaviness, pain and pleasure, joy and sorrow, etc. Relaxation at the emotional level and building up of strong will-power are the two major outcome of this procedure.

Visualisation

• Images are visualised mentally.
• The final stage of yoga nidra relates to mental relaxation. Generally such images and symbols are chosen for the visualization that have universal significance. To quote a few: the mountain, river, ocean, temple, church, cross, saint, flower etc.

Resolve - is repeated.

Return to Full Awareness

• A careful return to a normal state.
• A short yoga nidra follows. You can make your own script into a tape player or other recording device, and play it back anytime you wish. This particular yoga nidra will take about 25 to 45 minutes for the practice.

Steps

Preparation

• It should be done in a quiet place where no interruptions can take place. A meditation room is ideal. The practitioner lies down on the floor or a firm bed. The surface should be comfortable but not soft so that sleep comes easily.
• Lie flat on your back (Savasana) with the body stretched out, the head in straight line with the body, feet apart, arms besides the body and palms of the hands facing up. Be relaxed and comfortable. Now close your eyes. There should be no movement during yoga nidra. Remember you should not sleep, but remain awake all through the session.
• So say to yourself: "I will not sleep; I will remain awake."
• Please follow the voice with full awareness and feeling. If your mind is distracted during the practice, do not worry. Just continue the practice.
• Relaxation
• Take a deep breath and as you breathe in, feel the coolness and calmness spreading throughout the body. As you breathe out, feel your cares and worries flowing out of you. Become aware of the body and relax completely. Relax your body mentally.
• Now be aware of the sounds in the room. Allow your hearing to follow the sounds for a few seconds, going from sound to sound, without trying to identify them. Develop awareness of the room itself... the four walls, the ceiling and the floor, and your body lying on the floor or bed. Visualize your body lying down. Feel your body lying on the floor, feel the sensations of your whole body lying down, your whole body lying on the floor.
• Say to yourself mentally, "I am going to practice yoga nidra. I will remain awake all through the session."

Resolve
Now it is the time to make Sankalpa (resolve). State your affirmation mentally three times with feeling and awareness.

Rotation of Consciousness

• During these steps, focus your mind on the parts of your body and not on your breath. Relax each part of the body in turn.
• During this exercise it is helpful to see your body as an object and your mind as an instrument of your inner spirit directing the flow of prana into your body. As you go through the step of relaxing a specific part of your body, imagine that the prana, the essence of life, is flowing through this part relaxing and revitalizing the whole part, as you inhale and exhale freely.
• We will now rotate our consciousness through different parts of the body. Repeat the part in your mind at the same time become aware of that part of the body. Do not concentrate, but remain alert. Become aware of the right hand.

Right side
Right hand thumb, second finger, third finger, fourth finger, fifth finger, palm of the hand, back of the hand, lower right arm, upper arm, the shoulder, the armpit, the right side of the torso, the right upper leg, the lower leg, the ankle, the right foot, the right toes.

Left side
Left hand thumb, second finger, third finger, fourth finger, fifth finger, palm of the hand, back of the hand, lower left arm, upper arm, the shoulder, the armpit, the left side of the torso, the left upper leg, the lower leg, the ankle, the left foot, the left toes.

BackBecome aware of the right shoulderblade, the left shoulderblade, the right buttock, the left buttock, the spine, the whole back.

Front
Now go the top of the head. Become aware of the top of the head, the forehead, the right eyebrow, the left eyebrow, the space between the eyebrows, the right eye, the left eye, the right ear, the left ear, the nose, the lips, the throat, the right chest, the left chest, the middle of the chest, the navel, the lower belly.

Major Parts
The right leg, the left leg; both legs together. The right arm, the left arm, both arms together. The back of the body, the front of the body, the head, whole body, the whole body, the whole body (repeat one more time).

Are you awake? Repeat to yourself: "I am awake." Total awareness. Awareness of the whole body. The whole body lying down. See your body lying down. Visualize your body lying down.


Breathing
Become aware of your breath. Feel the natural rhythm of your breath, feel your natural, spontaneous breath. Do not force the breath; just awareness


Awareness of Sensations

• Now awaken the feeling of lightness—as if the body is made of cotton.
• Your body seems to be floating away from the floor.
• Next, Feel the body getting heavy - so heavy, it's sinking into the floor. Feel the head heavy, the arms, the torso... heavy. Feel the legs heavy and the feet heavy. The whole body is heavy... feel the whole body heavy…sinking into the floor... heavy... heaviness... the whole body is heavy.
• Awaken the sensation of heat, the experience of heat.
• The whole body is hot.
• Now experience bitter cold in the body.
• Now feel your body becoming alert... you are so alert. Feel yourself become alert... you are awake…you are awake...you are awake.

Visualization

• Yoga nidra is also augmented by incorporating visualization and mediation
• There are many different techniques you can use.
• This is the final stage of yoga nidra relates to mental relaxation. Generally such images and symbols are chosen for the visualization that has universal significance. To quote a few: the mountain, river, ocean, temple, church, cross, saint, flower etc.
• Use your feeling, awareness, emotion and imagination to develop images in your mind.
• Vividly visualize yourself in your favorite place
• Be relaxed.
• Be relaxed.
• Be relaxed.
• Stay in that situation for few minuses. You mentally get more more and more relaxed.
• Now move to next step.

Resolve

• Once again the resolve or sankalpa is intently thought of or even visualized repeat your affirmation mentally 3 times with feeling and emphasis.
• Thus, consciously one tries to direct the unconscious mind about the goal in life. This time the unconscious is very susceptible and therefore may accept the suggestion from the conscious mind with more intensity.

Return to Full Awareness
Now start taking normal natural breath, spontaneous breath. Now bring your awareness to your body lying stretched out and relaxed on the floor. Be aware of your physical existence. Become aware of the environment, room... the floor, the walls, the ceiling, and the noises in the room. Let your mind become completely external. Don’t make hurry to  open your eyes. Lie quietly until your mind is completely awake and externalized. Start moving yourself slowly, stretching yourself. When you are sure you are awaken, open your eyes.


Benefits of Yoga Nidra

• Yoga Nidra may have untold benefits that go beyond the therapeutic.
• Yoga Nidra helps harmonizing two hemispheres of the brain and the two aspects of autonomous nervous system viz. sympathetic and parasympathetic. The rotation of body awareness stimulates different parts of the brain that control each and every body nerve. When you are aware of each part of your body, you are actually massaging the corresponding part in the brain as well. You establish the connection between the body and the mind. The impressions in the subconscious are brought to surface, experienced and removed. Thus, the fixation of awareness to the body is replaced with the awareness linked to subtler aspects of prana and spiritual dimensions.

Note

Everyone can practice. Even beginners who are stiff.

Surya Shakti

Gayatri Mantra

      Om bhur bhuvah suvah
    Tat savitur varenyam
        Bhargo devasya dheemahi
        Dhiyo yo nah prachodayat

 “O splendid and playful sun, we offer this prayer to thee; enlighten this craving mind; be our protector; may the radiance of the divine ruler guide our destiny; wise men salute your magnificence with oblations and words of praise”.

The Vedic scriptures of the Hindu religion refer to the sun as the store house of inexhaustible power and radiance. The sun god is referred to as Surya or Aditya. The Vedas are full of hymns describing the celestial body as the source and sustainer of all life on earth. The origin of the worship of the Sun in India is thus several centuries old. The sun stands for knowledge, spiritual light and wisdom.

Surya is worshiped as a chief solar deity. He is a vision of the divine, whose light fills all the worlds; Surya is also the Cosmic Pillar and support of the universe and the symbol of the Supreme. Surya is the most popular Vedic God. In Rig Veda III 62.10 he is worshipped as Savitr, the source of life and light. The Sun is to be installed in the temple of our body so that it dispels darkness by its effulgence once and all for all time-the darkness of ignorance.

Surya is portrayed with hair and arms of gold, three eyes, and four hands holding water lilies the flower that longs for the dawn and drives a chariot pulled by seven horses representing the seven days of the week. In Hindu religious literature, Surya is notably mentioned as the visible form of God that one can see every day.

The Indian system of beliefs regards sunlight as the greatest of disinfectants; hence the sun is associated with healing power. Legend has it that Samba the son of Krishna was cured of leprosy by his worship of the sun god. It is still believed by many that sun worship offered at several of the sun temples all over India, is a cure for leprosy and other skin ailments, blindness and infertility.

Accepting Surya Shakti

Founder of this system has made a general attunement to all those interested may accept it.

Posture

First, you need to create the proper setting. Find a calm quiet spot, turn on some soft mood music, perhaps light a few candles and or incense. Wear loose fitting comfortable clothing, and no shoes or socks. Get comfortable!  Sit, either on the floor on your knees sitting back on your heels, or with your legs crossed, or if you are more comfortable in a chair, then sit up straight, knees together feet flat on floor.

To invoke this intent merely say:

 “ I accept Surya Shakti attunement as Mohan has manifested”

It may last 15 to 20 minutes. Enjoy!

Healing with Surya Shakti

Surya Shakti can be used stand alone or we may combine it to any other healing modality for synergic effect. Put your hand on the patient’s body think about Surya Shakti to start the energy flow. Let energy flow.

Here are the instructions for remote, long distance healing:

1.  Visualize the patient, or the patient’s name in the palm of your hand. Then place your palms together.

2.  Clear your thoughts and think to yourself Surya Shakti to start the energy flow.  Just let the energy flow.  You don’t have to concentrate on keeping the energy flow coming in, it will

flow freely of its own accord…just relax and enjoy the energy.   

3.  When 3-5 minutes have passed you will feel the energy stop, or you may feel a little tired or drained. That means that you are finished. The healing energy will however, continue to work in the patient.

This is the same method that should be used for self-healing.  It is a good idea to perform a self-healing every day.

Reiki

Reiki (pronounced Ray-Key) is a natural system of energy healing this modality involves the transfer of energy from practitioner to patient to enhance the body's natural ability to heal itself through the balancing of energy. It is the same energy, which brings forth all life in the universe and nourishes it. This system of energy healing originated in India, its over 3,000 years old. In the late 19th century Dr. Mikao Usui rediscovered the key which led to the recovery of a thousand-year-old tradition of healing.

Rei means universal, Reiki is more accurately interpreted to mean supernatural knowledge or spiritual consciousness.

Ki The Life Force It is also called the vital life force or the universal life force.

Throughout  various cultures across the world and time, it referred  by many names as  Chi, Ki, Prana, fohat, Orgone, Odic force, Bioenergetic plasma, Divine breath, Cosmic Pulse, Vital Fire and Vital force etc…

Life force plays an important role in everything we do. This is the nonphysical energy that animates all living things. As long as something is alive, it has life force circulating through it and surrounding it; when it dies, the life force departs. If your life force is low, or if there is a restriction in its flow, you will be more vulnerable to illness. Very often we tend to short-circuit our own energy system as a result of some traumatic event, which has led to a shutdown or blockage in our physical, emotional, psychological or spiritual bands of energy. When it is high, and flowing freely, you are less likely to get sick. Energy healing is thus a process of promoting balance and harmony on all levels. This Ki is present all around us and can be accumulated and guided by the intension.

A treatment feels like a wonderful glowing radiance that flows through you. Reiki treatment impacts the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of human existence. Reiki can relieve pain and enhance healing of all diseases and illnesses.

One transcends the physical limitations, and true healing occurs and with true healing some amazing cures are produced as byproducts. Reiki is a simple, natural, and safe method of spiritual healing and self-improvement that everyone can use.

It is done by placing the hands on or near the recipient. The practitioner runs Reiki Energy while placing their hands on or over a series of locations on the recipients body.  Advanced practitioners can also work remotely i.e. without physical contact.

Is Reiki a Religion?

While Reiki is spiritual in nature, it is not a religion. It has no dogma, and there is nothing you must believe in order to learn and use Reiki. In fact, Reiki is not dependent on belief at all and will work whether you believe in it or not. Because Reiki comes from Divine Source. Reiki transcends all religious beliefs and is available to everyone who learns to focus the mind on their true purpose of incarnation.

What is Reiki, then? Reiki is a spiritual healing technique and an energy healing technique; Spiritual healing connects one with Universal Consciousness bring Spiritual growth by healing core patterns/issues and helping one to remember the fullness of Who They Are. Energy healing bring relief of pain and symptoms in the mind, body and emotions.

How Reiki Works?

Reiki is so gentle, but powerful and effective also. It addresses not only the symptom but also the cause of disease. Reiki treatment enhances the body's natural ability to heal itself. Reiki treatment releases blocked energy and bring relief of pain and symptoms in the mind, body and emotions. This life-force energy is not inert or lifeless. It is an active, intelligent and conscious energy.  Reiki energy has an innate intelligence and goes wherever needed in the body and energy field. You can give Reiki treatments to yourself, family, friends, animals, plants and even machines and can be used for world events.

During energy healing, the healer conducts universal life energy into the patient, allowing the overall health of the energy field to be enhanced. Though Reiki flows through the practitioner but is not generated by the practitioner and does not deplete the Reiki practitioners own energy supplies. The practitioner is the catalyst that assists the patient’s own life-force energies to absorb the correct frequencies required.

Reiki does not often confer an instant miraculous cure of any condition. It helps to correct body’s disturbed energy pattern, restores energetic balance and repair things like   blockages and tears in the energy field, which create disease and unhappiness. This can take time. Patient often gets great advantage from a single treatment but chronic disease may require consistent treatment for certain period of time.

What are Attunements ?

Once attuned to Reiki, anyone can access this energy by just intention. It is amazingly simple techniques transferred to the student by the Reiki Master through the processes are called attunements or empowerment or sometimes initiations.  Its use is not dependent on ones intellectual capacity or spiritual development and, therefore, is available to everyone. It has been successfully taught to thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds.

It removes blocks in the aura and allows the healing energies that surround us to come in through our crown chakra and flow through our bodies and out our hands to where they are needed. They open the palm chakras and energy channels if needed and connect you to the specific Reiki Shakti healing frequencies. The attunements also allow us to direct these energies for specific purposes.

In Usui Reiki there are normally three levels of Reiki designated I, II and Master/Teacher. In level one people are taught history of Reiki basic techniques for hands on treatment for self, family, friends, plants, animals, food and water.

Level two attunes you to dynamic, multi-dimensional energy keys or symbols. These sacred symbols allow you to access many different levels or dimensions of energy. one learns Specific techniques of absentee healing.

Level three adds a spiritual or intuitive healing energy function and the ability to attune others to Use Reiki themselves. Psychic surgery and the making of crystal grids are also taught at this stage to enable the learner to remove energy blocks. There are different views concerning the waiting period between the attunements. I personally feel that it is a matter of personal preference. So we should listen our inner voice and then move on.

Being a Reiki Master is not a sign or guarantee of a person's moral fiber, upstanding behavior, or any form of spiritual development. Reiki Masters are as human as anyone else.

Instructions

It is recommended that you drink a lots of water after an attunement or treatment.

Attunements and treatments begin the recipient's personal healing immediately. This sometimes shows up as symptoms of physical or emotional release such as an excess of Gas, diarrhea or moodiness. This has been called detoxification.

The most important thing is to use Reiki often . The more you use it  the more comfortable, confident and skilled you will become. While the standard formal treatment uses both hands you can also give informal Reiki treatments just by placing one hand in contact. You may find the you can run Reiki from your feet or other location if its needed. You can just put your hand on your body and give yourself a simple treatment any time you wish.

Naturopathy

Naturopathy

Naturopathy, also called naturopathic medicine, is a system of therapy and treatment which relies exclusively on natural remedies, such as sunlight, air, water, supplemented with diet and therapies such as massage. Naturopathy believes that the body is self-healing.The body will repair itself and recover from illness spontaneously if it is in a healthy environment. Naturopaths have many remedies and recommendations for creating a healthy environment so the body can spontaneously heal itself. This holistic system of healing, Naturopathy has evolved over time in different cultures and parts of the world. Naturopathy (naturopathic medicine) emphasis on supporting health rather than combating disease.

Naturopathy is rooted in health care approaches that were popular in Europe, especially in Germany, in the 19th century, but it also includes therapies (both ancient and modern) from other traditions.

A Brief History of Naturopathy

Naturopathy has its origins in India along with Ayurveda, but is today practiced in many countries around the world in one form or another, where it is subject to different standards of regulation and levels of acceptance.

Naturopathy was named and popularized in the United States by Benedict Lust, who was born in Germany in the late 1800s. When Lust became seriously ill with what he believed was tuberculosis, he was treated by a priest and healer in Germany named Sebastian Kneipp. Kneipp's treatment was based on various healing approaches and philosophies that were popular in Europe, including:

• Hydrotherapy (water treatments).
• The "nature cure" movement, which focused on restoring health through a return to nature. This movement advocated therapies such as gentle exercise, herbal medications, wholesome dietary approaches, and exposure to sun and air.

Lust found his health much improved from Kneipp's treatment, and when he immigrated to the United States at the turn of the 20th century, he was dedicated to popularizing it. He gave it the name naturopathy, led the way in developing it as a medical system in the United States, and founded the first naturopathic college and professional association. In naturopathy's early years, other therapies were added to its practice-for example, homeopathy and manipulation (a hands-on therapy).

Naturopathy's popularity reached its peak in the United States in the 1920s and 1930s. However, its use began to decline when drugs (such as antibiotics) and other developments in conventional medicine moved to the forefront of health care. Naturopathy began to reemerge in the 1970s, with increased consumer interest in "holistic" health approaches and the founding of new naturopathic medical colleges. Today, naturopathy is practiced in a number of countries, including the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Australia, and New Zealand.

Naturopathic practice may include a broad array of different healing modalities, including manual therapy, hydrotherapy, herbalism, acupuncture, counseling, environmental medicine, aromatherapy, nutritional counseling, homeopathy, and so on.

Principles of naturopathy

The practice of naturopathy is based on six key principles:

1. Promote the healing power of nature.
2. First do no harm. Naturopathic practitioners choose therapies with the intent to keep harmful side effects to a minimum and not suppress symptoms.
3. Treat the whole person. Practitioners believe a person's health is affected by many factors, such as physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, and social ones. Practitioners consider all these factors when choosing therapies and tailor treatment to each patient.
4. Treat the cause. Practitioners seek to identify and treat the causes of a disease or condition, rather than its symptoms. They believe that symptoms are signs that the body is trying to fight disease, adapt to it, or recover from it.
5. Prevention is the best cure. Practitioners teach ways of living that they consider most healthy and most likely to prevent illness.
6. The physician is a teacher. Practitioners consider it important to educate their patients in taking responsibility for their own health.

Naturopathy in India

Naturopathy is very popular in India, and there are numerous naturopathy hospitals in the country. There are also many doctors trained in the Western system of medicine who have acquired naturopathy degrees so as to integrate the insights gained into their system of practice.

The Indian stream of naturopathy differs from the Western stream in many ways, particularly in their emphasis of strict vegetarianism and yoga.

Today, Naturopathy is quickly growing in popularity and accepted use.

Naturopathic Physicians doctors/ naturopathic medicine schools (certification)/ naturopathy course

Naturopathic physicians are educated and trained in a 4-year, graduate-level program at one of the four U.S. naturopathic medical schools accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education. Admission requirements include a bachelor's degree and standard premedical courses. The study program includes basic sciences, naturopathic therapies and techniques, diagnostic techniques and tests, specialty courses, clinical sciences, and clinical training. Graduates receive the degree of N.D. (Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine). Postdoctoral training is not required, but graduates may pursue it.

Depending on where they wish to practice, naturopathic physicians may also need to be licensed. A number of states, the District of Columbia, and two U.S. territories have such licensing requirements (see the box below), most often consisting of graduation from a 4-year naturopathic medical college and passing the national standardized board examination (known as the NPLEX). The scope of practice varies by state and jurisdiction. For example, some states allow naturopathic physicians with special training to prescribe drugs, perform minor surgery, practice acupuncture, and/or assist in childbirth.

Regulation of Naturopathy

The following U.S. states and jurisdictions have laws regulating the practice of naturopathy:

• Alaska

• Arizona

• California

• Connecticut

• Hawaii

• Idaho

• Kansas

• Maine

• Montana

• New Hampshire

• Oregon

• Utah

• Vermont

• Washington

• District of Columbia

• Puerto Rico

• U.S. Virgin Islands

Traditional Naturopaths

The second major group of practitioners are traditional naturopaths, or simply naturopaths. They emphasize education in naturopathic approaches to a healthy lifestyle, strengthening and cleansing the body, and noninvasive treatments. Prescription drugs, x-rays, and surgery are several of the practices that traditional naturopaths do not use. Education and training for these practitioners typically consists of correspondence courses, an apprenticeship, and/or self-teaching. Admission requirements for schools can range from none, to a high school diploma, to specific degrees and coursework. Programs vary in length and content. They are not accredited by agencies recognized for accreditation purposes by the U.S. Department of Education. Traditional naturopaths are not subject to licensing.

Conventional Providers With Naturopathic Training

This group consists of licensed conventional medical providers (such as doctors of medicine, doctors of osteopathy, dentists, and nurses) who pursue additional training in naturopathic treatments, and possibly other holistic therapies. Education and training programs for this purpose also vary.

Benefits of Naturopathy/ Naturopathic Medicine

Naturopathic medicine is useful for treating chronic as well as acute diseases. It is sometimes used in conjunction with allopathic care to enhance wellness and relieve chronic symptoms, such as fatigue and pain. A naturopath treats a wide range of health problems, ranging from back pain to depression.

Side Effects and Risks in Naturopathy

Naturopathy appears to be a generally safe health care approach, especially if used as complementary (rather than alternative) medicine.

NCCAM-Funded Research in Naturopathy

Some recent NCCAM-supported projects have been studying:

• CAM approaches, including naturopathic treatments, for women with temporomandibular disorder, a condition in which the joints connecting the skull to the lower jaw become inflamed
• A naturopathic dietary approach as a complementary treatment for type 2 diabetes
• The mushroom Trametes versicolor, for its effects as a complementary immune therapy in women with breast cancer
• The costs and effects of naturopathic care, compared with conventional care, for low-back pain
• Herbal and dietary approaches for menopausal symptoms.

A few Alternative Therapies

A few Alternative Therapies


Acupuncture Acupuncture involves stimulation of anatomical points on the body by a variety of techniques (using fine needles) it regulates the flow of vital energy and restore a healthy energy balance.

Acupressure Acupressure is a Chinese massage technique which uses moderate to firm pressure on various acu-points on the body s to stimulate the body's energy flow. It has the same principles as Acupuncture, but the pressure is applied directly to the Acupoints of the body mainly by using the hands, fingers.

Aromatherapy Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of plant-derived, aromatic essential oils to promote physical and psychological well-being.
aromatherapy is helpful in treating emotional disorders like,  stress and anxiety.

Atlas Orthogonal Atlas Orthogonal is a kind of  chiropractic program.

Ayurvedic Medicine This holistic science is the knowledge of complete balance of the Body, Mind and Spirit, including emotions and psychology, on all levels. Ayurveda includes in its consideration, longevity, rejuvenation and self-realization therapies through herbs, diet, exercise, yoga, aromas, tantras, mantras, and meditation. Ayurveda is Practiced in India for more than 5,000 years.

Biofeedback Biofeedback is a method for learning to increase one's ability to control biological responses, such as blood pressure, muscle tension, and heart rate. In biofeedback ultra-modern sophisticated instruments are used to measure physiological responses. by this technique a person learns how to regulate certain body functions, such as heart rate, blood pressure, or brain wave patterns, stress, high BP etc.., that are normally considered to be involuntary.

Chelation Therapy Chelation therapy is a process involving the usage of chelating agents to remove heavy metals from the body.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)/ Chinese  Medicine Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is an ancient holistic system of healing. Chinese (Oriental) Medicine uses herbal medicine, massage therapy, acupuncture, heat therapy, nutritional etc...

Chiropractic- The method of treatment usually involves manipulation of the spinal column and other body structures.

Colonics- Colonics or Colon Hydrotherapy/ Colonic Irrigation, is generally the internal cleansing of the large intestine with water. Similar to an enema.

Psychotherapy/Counseling- Counseling/Psychotherapy is a comprehensive subject includes from career counselors to psychotherapies who treat depression, stress, addiction and emotional issues.

Craniosacral Therapy- Craniosacral therapy (CST) or Cranial Osteopathy, this healing modality uses very light touching to balance the craniosacral system in the body. Craniosacral therapy (CST) or Cranial Osteopathy is used by massage therapists, naturopaths, chiropractors and osteopaths, who manually apply a subtle movement of the spinal and cranial bones to bring the central nervous system into harmony. Craniosacral therapy includes the bones, nerves, fluids, and connective tissues of the cranium and spinal area.

Movement Therapies/ Dance - experts of this technique work with individuals with disabilities, additions, sexual abuse, histories, eating disorders etc... Dance/Movement Therapy involves expressive movement as a therapeutic tool for both personal expression and psychological or emotional healing. 

Holistic Dentistry- Holistic dentistry (biologic dentistry), is an alternative holistic approach that uses non-toxic restorative materials for dental work.

Ear Candling- Ear Candling/ Ear Coning/ Thermal-Auricular Therapy is a kind of folk medicine practice intended to assist the natural clearing of earwax (cerumen) and "toxins" from a person's ear by means of a hollow candle placed in the ear.

Feng Shui- This ancient practice Feng shui is based on the Chinese concept of yin and yang. Feng Shui is the Chinese art or practice of positioning (arranging) objects, especially graves, buildings, and furniture, based on a belief in patterns of yin and yang and the flow of chi that have positive and negative effects. It creates harmony and balance within an environment.

Flower Essences (Bach Flower Remedy)- Medicines derived from specialized medicinal plants are advocated for holistic treatment.

Herbalism- Herbalism is the study or use of medicinal herbs to prevent and treat diseases and ailments or to promote health and healing.

Hypnotherapy- Hypnotherapy is defined as, the treatment of a variety of health conditions by hypnotism or by inducing prolonged sleep.  Hypnosis may help in behavioral, emotional or attitudinal change like, weight loss, smoking cessation,  treating phobias, stress etc...

Homeopathy- Homeopathy is addressed commonly in infant and childhood diseases, infections, fatigue, allergies  and chronic illnesses like, arthritis. Homeopathy seeks to stimulate the body's defense mechanisms and processes so as to prevent or treat illness.

Iridology- Iridology is the study of the iris to diagnose disease.

Kinesiology- Kinesiology involves study of muscles and movements (anatomy, physiology, and mechanics of body movement).

Lymph Drainage Therapy- Lymph Drainage Therapy is a Therapy to drain and improve the lymphatic vessels.

Midwifery/ Childbirth Support- Midwifery/Childbirth assists Practitioners of childbirth support.

Therapeutic Massage- Therapeutic Massage involves the  manipulation of muscles and other soft tissue to improve the health.

Naturopathic Medicine / Naturopathy Naturopathy is a system of therapy and treatment which relies exclusively on natural remedies, such as sunlight, air, water, supplemented with diet and therapies such as massage. Naturopathic or Naturopathy doctors (physicians) helps to strengthen the healing ability.

Ohashiatsu- This physical techniques Ohashiatsu, includes meditation, exercise. Ohashiatsu is helpful to release tension, Stress, Fatigue and bring relaxation and peace.

Osteopathic Medicine- Osteopathy emphasis on the relationship between the organs and the musculoskeletal system as well as on treating the whole individual rather than just the disease. Osteopathic Medicine includes,  preventive medicine, diagnosis, surgery, prescription medications and hospital referrals.

Reconstructive Therapy/ Prolotherapy- Reconstructive Therapy/ Prolotherapy strengthens weak or damaged joints, cartilage, ligaments and tendons. This therapy is used to treat degenerative arthritis, lower back pain, torn ligaments and cartilage, carpal tunnel syndrome etc... Prolotherapy uses a dextrose (sugar water) solution, which is injected into the ligament or tendon where it attaches to the bone. Prolotherapy increases blood flow, flow of nutrients and stimulates the tissue, swelling, and pain. The body then launches a course of repair and healing.

Reflexology - Reflexology is based on the philosophy that each of the body's organs and glands are "linked" to corresponding areas of ears, hands and feet.

Rolfing- Rolfing/ Structural Integration, is a technique of soft tissue manipulation that attempts to organize soft tissue relationships. It manipulates  the fascia (connective tissue) to regain the body's natural alignment and enhances vitality and well-being.

Shiatsu- Shiatsu is a kind of therapeutic massage where pressure is applied with the thumbs and palms on the areas of the body as in acupuncture. shiatsu is mainly practiced in  Japan.

Tibetan Medicine - Tibetan Medicine remedies are effective in rheumatism, asthma, gastritis, diabetes and many neurological disorders. Tibetan medicine seeks to achieve a harmony of the self. Medicine is one of five branches of Tibetan science, and is known to the Tibetans as gSoba the science of healing. Trees, rocks, resins, soil, precious metals, sap etc… are used by Tibetan pharmacopoeia in this therapy.

Unani- Unani is helpful in sinusitis, leucoderma, rheumatism,  jaundice and elephantiasis etc..   Unani stands for a symbol of life. Unani includes the mainly herbs.

Vitamin Therapy- The use of vitamins to prevent or cure disease. Many physicians are now recognizing the beneficial uses of anti-oxidant and other vitamins for a wide variety of conditions. Vitamin Therapy is recommended in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and HIV/AIDS.

Alternative Medicine

The term Alternative Medicine means any form of medicine that is outside the main stream of western medicine or allopathy or orthodox medicine. Alternative medicine exists in all cultures to some degree and terms such as traditional medicine, indigenous medicine or folk medicine etc. are used to describe such practices.
These medicines date back hundred or even thousand of years depending on the country and culture concerned. Because two thirds of the world's population (mainly in the developing countries) relies entirely on such traditional medical therapies, the World Health Organization has declared its intention actively to encourage traditional medicine world wide.

This term is loosely used to cover all forms of medicine except allopathy. In 1973, the Medical Faculty of the University of Rome convened the first World Congress of Alternative Medicines, and the provisional program contained no less than 135 different therapies. The experts of W.H.O. have also identified and enlisted more than 100 types of practices and they have termed these as traditional medicine.



Traditional medicine

What is traditional medicine?
Traditional medicine refers to health practices, approaches, knowledge and beliefs incorporating plant, animal and mineral based medicines, spiritual therapies, manual techniques and exercises, applied singularly or in combination to treat, diagnose and prevent illnesses or maintain well-being.
Countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America use traditional medicine (TM) to help meet some of their primary health care needs. In Africa, up to 80% of the population uses traditional medicine for primary health care. In industralized countries, adaptations of traditional medicine are termed “Complementary“ or “Alternative” (CAM).
Increasing use and popularity
TM has maintained its popularity in all regions of the developing world and its use is rapidly spreading in industrialized countries.

• In China, traditional herbal preparations account for 30%-50% of the total medicinal consumption.
• In Ghana, Mali, Nigeria and Zambia, the first line of treatment for 60% of children with high fever resulting from malaria is the use of herbal medicines at home.
• WHO estimates that in several African countries traditional birth attendants assist in the majority of births.
• In Europe, North America and other industrialized regions, over 50% of the population have used complementary or alternative medicine at least once.
• In San Francisco, London and South Africa, 75% of people living with HIV/AIDS use TM/CAM.
• 70% of the population in Canada have used complementary medicine at least once.
• In Germany, 90% of the population have used a natural remedy at some point in their life. Between 1995 and 2000, the number of doctors who had undergone special training in natural remedy medicine had almost doubled to 10 800.
• In the United States, 158 million of the adult population use complementary medicines and according to the USA Commission for Alternative and Complementary medicines, US $17 billion was spent on traditional remedies in 2000.
• In the United Kingdom, annual expenditure on alternative medicine is US$ 230 million.
• The global market for herbal medicines currently stands at over US $ 60 billion annually and is growing steadily.

Safety and efficacy issues
Scientific evidence from randomized clinical trials is only strong for many uses of acupuncture, some herbal medicines and for some of the manual therapies. Further research is needed to ascertain the efficacy and safety of several other practices and medicinal plants.
Unregulated or inappropriate use of traditional medicines and practices can have negative or dangerous effects.
For instance, the herb “Ma Huang” (Ephedra) is traditionally used in China to treat respiratory congestion. In the United States, the herb was marketed as a dietary aid, whose over dosage led to at least a dozen deaths, heart attacks and strokes.
In Belgium, at least 70 people required renal transplant or dialysis for interstitial fibrosis of the kidney after taking a herbal preparation made from the wrong species of plant as slimming treatment.


Biodiversity and sustainability
In addition to patient safety issues, there is the risk that a growing herbal market and its great commercial benefit might pose a threat to biodiversity through the over harvesting of the raw material for herbal medicines and other natural health care products. These practices, if not controlled, may lead to the extinction of endangered species and the destruction of natural habitats and resources.
Another related issue is that at present, the requirements for protection provided under international standards for patent law and by most national conventional patent laws are inadequate to protect traditional knowledge and biodiversity.

Tried and tested methods and products

• 25% of modern medicines are made from plants first used traditionally.
• Acupuncture has been proven effective in relieving postoperative pain, nausea during pregnancy, nausea and vomiting resulting from chemotherapy, and dental pain with extremely low side effects. It can also alleviate anxiety, panic disorders and insomnia.
• Yoga can reduce asthma attacks while Tai Ji techniques can help the elderly reduce their fear of falls.
• TM can also have impact on infectious diseases. For example, the Chinese herbal remedy Artemisia annua, used in China for almost 2000 years has been found to be effective against resistant malaria and could create a breakthrough in preventing almost one million deaths annually, most of them children, from severe malaria.
• In South Africa, the Medical Research Council is conducting studies on the efficacy of the plant Sutherlandia Microphylla in treating AIDS patients. Traditionally used as a tonic, this plant may increase energy, appetite and body mass in people living with HIV.

WHO efforts in promoting safe, effective and affordable traditional medicine


The World Health Organization launched its first ever comprehensive traditional medicine strategy in 2002. The strategy is designed to assist countries to:

• Develop national policies on the evaluation and regulation of TM/CAM practices;
• Create a stronger evidence base on the safety, efficacy and quality of the TAM/CAM products and practices;
• Ensure availability and affordability of TM/CAM including essential herbal medicines;
• Promote therapeutically sound use of TM/CAM by providers and consumers;
• Document traditional medicines and remedies.

At present, WHO is supporting clinical studies on antimalarials in three African countries; the studies are revealing good potential for herbal antimalarials.
Other collaboration is taking place with Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, and Zimbabwe in the research and evaluation of herbal treatments for HIV/ AIDS, malaria, sickle cell anaemia and Diabetes Mellitus.
In Tanzania, WHO, in collaboration with China, is providing technical support to the government for the production of antimalarials derived from the Chinese herb Artemisia annua. Local production of the medicine will bring the price of one dose down from US $6 or $7 to a more affordable $2.
In 2003, WHO support has so far facilitated the development and introduction of traditional and alternative health care curricula in seven tertiary education institutions in the Philippines.
Training workshops on the use of traditional medicines for selected diseases and disorders have also been organized in China, Mongolia and Vietnam.
Priorities for promoting the use of traditional medicines
Over one-third of the population in developing countries lack access to essential medicines. The provision of safe and effective TM/CAM therapies could become a critical tool to increase access to health care.
While China, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the Republic of Korea and Vietnam have fully integrated traditional medicine into their health care systems, many countries are yet to collect and integrate standardized evidence on this type of health care.
70 countries have a national regulation on herbal medicines but the legislative control of medicinal plants has not evolved around a structured model. This is because medicinal products or herbs are defined differently in different countries and diverse approaches have been adopted with regard to licensing, dispensing, manufacturing and trading.
The limited scientific evidence about TM/CAM’s safety and efficacy as well as other considerations make it important for governments to:

• Formulate national policy and regulation for the proper use of TM/CAM and its integration into national health care systems in line with the provisions of the WHO strategies on Traditional Medicines;
• Establish regulatory mechanisms to control the safety and quality of products and of TM/CAM practice;
• Create awareness about safe and effective TM/CAM therapies among the public and consumers;
• Cultivate and conserve medicinal plants to ensure their sustainable use.