In the traditional teachings of yoga, the practices were understood to create transformation at all levels: the body, mind, emotions, and energetically. Navigating yoga through the lens of wellness, we find that healing necessitates finding a state of balance at all levels. To be truly healthy, the mind must be healthy.
To get the best results from yoga practice we do a little bit of a few different sadhanas. Swami Vishnudevananda taught what he called the 5 Points of Yoga. He advocated practicing a little bit of each of: Proper Exercise (Asana), Proper Breathing (Pranayama), Proper Relaxation (Savasana), Proper Diet (Sattvic Vegetarian), and Positive Thinking and Meditation (Vedanta and Dhyana). We can think of it as planting seeds in 5 different pots. If we nurture these 5 practices, eventually great things will grow!
Over the centuries many teachers have omitted or de-emphasised aspects of the traditional teachings, thinking that students around the world will not accept them. Swami Vishnudevananda remained true to the teachings in the classical hatha yoga texts, and we continue to uphold the teaching of traditional practices today.
The mind is intricately involved in all of our practices. To be healthy we must understand the role of the mind and thoughts in our well-being. Both systems of Yoga and Ayurveda incorporate an understanding of the role of the mind. Ayurveda offers a path to taking healing into our own hands.
The Sivananda Institute of Health offers single Ayurvedic treatments and longer Panchakarma programmes at both our Ashrams in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. These treatments integrate seamlessly with the practices of yoga and meditation and offer an experience of deep healing and rejuvenation at all levels. Many participants have experienced reversal of various conditions and symptoms and have initiated lasting change in their health and well-being.
The Sivananda Institute of Health also offers Ayurveda Wellness Courses and Ayurveda Massage Therapy Courses for those wishing to learn the skills to help others.
