Svastha Yoga / Ayurveda
Svastha Yoga/Ayurveda* is an authentic
and integrated approach to Yoga. It combines the ancient,
traditional, health care system Ayurveda, with the eight
limbs of Yoga as described by Patanjali in the Yoga
Sutras. A.G. Mohan developed Svastha Yoga as a means
of total health care. It addresses both the body and
the mind to restore health and well-being.
In the Twin Cities, Dr. Nancy facilitates yoga intensive
workshops with AG Mohan.
For more about Svastha Yoga/Ayurveda. visit www.svastha.com
Dr. Nancy teaches Svastha Yoga on Fridays at 2:00 p.m.
at the Minneapolis Yoga Workshop, mplsyogaworkshop.com,
located in the Ivy Building for the Arts at 2637 27th
Ave. S., Suite 207, Minneapolis, MN 55406, in the Seward
neighborhood of Minneapolis. To register, please contact
dr.nancy.schrauth@gmail.com.
She is also available for private, personalized, Yoga
therapy programs, contact her via email at dr.nancy.schrauth@gmail.com
or call (612) 281-2908.
Svastha, a Sanskrit word combines the roots: Sva
–- the self, and stha
- to stay, and translates literally “to stay as
the Self”, this is interpreted to mean “a
state of re-integration, health, well-being .
According to the Yoga Sutra's of Patanjali, the ultimate goal of yoga is to settle the mind so that we have clarity about the true nature of life which will bring about a lasting state of peace. Practicing the eight limbs of yoga as Patanjali describes is the method to achieve mental clarity.
One of the core principals of a Svastha Yoga asana practice
is the emphasis on the spine and the breath. The spine
is the structural support for the body and
protects the spinal cord. Poor posture and other types
of spinal misalignments can affect the health and function
of the entire body. For example, hunching over a desk
for long hours at the computer causes stress and strain
in the upper back, this can become a chronic problem
after a few years and eventually leads to common problems
like carpal tunnel syndrome, neck pain, and numbness
radiating into arms and hands. The lungs and heart must
strain against the resistance of tension in the chest
and upper torso which can contribute to health problems.
In Svastha Yoga, we apply a breathing method that reduces strain and tension and actively works the spine to restore proper alignment. The emphasis on linking the movements with the appropriate phase of the breath allows the breath to gently focus the work on the spine. This way of working has the potential to correct long-standing areas of misalignment, poor posture, stiffness and weakness.
All movements are done in coordination with the breathing, mentally coordinating the speed and direction of movements with the length of the breath. In this way while we are strengthening our body, we also strengthen our ability to focus our mind. The mind is completely focused on the breath during the asana practice; when the mind is focused on coordinating the movements of the body with the breath, there is a unity of body, breath and mind. This integration accomplishes the ultimate purpose of yoga.
In this approach the principals of Svastha Yoga are applied to the individual. That is, we take into consideration that everyone is different and must work in their own way with their own specific condition. Our class size is kept small to ensure that each student is given individual attention and the teacher can make the necessary modifications for each person.
As a chiropractor, I have found Svastha Yoga to be
very effective for recovery from any type of back pain,
neck pain, weakness or numbness in the limbs or the
spine. I have been teaching my patients Svastha Yoga
Therapy as a means to recover from many types of musculoskeletal
pain, functional problems such as poor digestion, sleeping
disorders, and mental/emotional stress. Of course it
is well accepted that prevention is always better than
treating problems, and Svastha Yoga is an integrated
approach that not only helps correct problems but also
offers the means to prevent problems and maintain a
state of good health and well-being.
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