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As holistic therapies gain acceptance within the established medical community, more and more scientific studies are confirming their efficacy. I have long believed that it is important to address their value in any health maintenance and injury rehabilitation and prevention program.
Aside from the obvious benefits of increased flexibility, balance and body awareness, yoga and similar disciplines (karate, tai chi, etc.) have a very meditative and spiritual element to them. In fact, their origins come from the monasteries and ashrams of the Eastern mystics and ascetics. As they have been adapted to modern, Western society, this spiritual component is sometimes blurred in the translation. I believe it is important to acknowledge the potential for mental and spiritual rejuvenation as well as the obvious physical benefits of these disciplines. I find it useful to combine yoga with another holistic practice…….visualization. Visualization is a powerful tool in consciously directing your body to marshal it's healing forces. Studies have confirmed quantifiable results from visualization techniques and links between the central nervous and immune systems are being uncovered. As I go through my routine, I visualize my muscles and tendons as I stretch them. I see them becoming more flexible and resilient. The combination of direct physical action and mental imagery has a powerful, synergistic effect. I use visualization (or mental imaging, if you prefer) while pedaling my bike as well. I "see" the damaged and rough areas within my knee being sculpted into smooth tissue as I pedal thousands of revolutions. Combined with the focused breathing of hill climbs on the bike, it's very much an active meditation. You come home feeling more relaxed and centered. More on total wellness click here.
"See the ball, Danny…….BE… the ball….." |
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My
introduction to yoga was by way of a physical education course while attending
Santa Barbara City College in 1974. As I got into it, I realized this
was something I would do for the rest of my life. By that time (age 23),
I was very much into sports….especially bicycling, jogging, tennis and
surfing. I was not able to ski much in my college days. Poise and flexibility
are important in virtually all sports , so yoga fit right in. As I am
tall (6'5"), I have a tendency toward low back problems. Also, I had been
diagnosed in High School with mild scoliosis (curvature of the spine),
so doing yoga became a ritual that I still practice regularly. If I neglect
to do so for several days, my body (my back in particular) "reminds" me
in no uncertain terms that I need to get down and stretch and breathe!
Loss of flexibility due to aging is NOT inevitable……it's largely preventable.
To
close this page, I would like to quote from the movie Caddyshack as mystic/comic
Chevy Chase coaches a young golfer in visualization techniques: