The Future of Yoga Therapy Rests in the Past Dr. Robert Butera Comprehensive Yoga Therapy YogaLife Institute; Devon, PA How the Yoga Lifestyle Completes Yoga Therapy

Yoga Sutras Book 1: Focus  Concentration –Repetition and “balance” Verse 1:2  [Yogas] [citta vritti] [nirodhah] [yoga] [fluctuations in consciousness] [cessation] –“Yoga is ceasing to identify with the fluctuations in consciousness”

Mind-Body Link Behavior applies to nervous system in regard to health Stress disrupts nervous system function in relation to health Addressing root causes of daily stressors improves nervous system health

8-Fold Path Organically calms nervous system and promotes health –Yama/niyama induce mental, spiritual and behavioral wellness Classical Yoga incorporates yama/niyama as a practice, just as much as asana/pranayama are practices Yama/niyama not just a philosophy to talk about; points to practice

8-Fold Path Poses, breathing and meditation provide additional physical and mental calm –“Expected” yoga practices, but rest on yama/niyama for maximum effectiveness “Disciplined” Yoga lifestyle makes other practices more efficacious –Practices may not stick if daily stresses are not addressed

“Disciplined Lifestyle” Without further explanation, this lifestyle would not be taught –In many popular asana class, there is minimal mention of yama/niyama and disciplined lifestyle; in some cases not mentioned at all –Even if you DO mention it, how do you practice this disciplined lifestyle? What IS this disciplined lifestyle? Without clear definitions, Yoga Therapy may be quickly reduced to simply practicing asanas

Five Branches of Yoga One Definition of the Disciplined Lifestyle: Karma—Service Bhakti—Devotion Raja—Meditation/Psychology Jnana—Realized Knowledge Tantra—Energy/Health Comprehensive method of applying Yoga to each waking moment

Assessing the Five Branches Karma Yoga Work, community, self-service How to work and remain unattached

Assessing the Five Branches Bhakti Yoga Relationships, religion, devotion Love & devotion to good without intellectual questioning

Assessing the Five Branches Raja Yoga Meditation, psychology Understanding the workings of the mind and our own egos

Assessing the Five Branches Jnana Yoga Self-study, scripture, introspection Seeing the larger picture; surrendering ego As the “little self” (small s) is known, Jnana is understanding the “big Self” (capital S) – intellectually understanding God

Assessing the Five Branches Tantra Yoga Nutrition, exercise, sexuality, health Balancing energies of body, nature and medicine Includes Hatha Yoga, breathing and chakras

Discovering your Yoga Personality Examine the type of Yogi you are –List daily activities –Divide list into stressful and uplifting activities –Recognize that everyone is a different combination of these five branches

Discovering Your Yoga Personality Gravitating towards one branch, to strengthen Understanding which area of life is source of stress, how to remedy/understand Examining imbalances in personality complex that lead to stress –Discover the root issue of imbalance Honoring natural inclinations to practice the types of yoga that suit personal needs at this stage

Healing & Removing Guilt Understand your disposition  freedom from guilt –Simply follow the practices that suit you –No need to try all forms of Yoga or even all practices of a specific type –No reason to feel guilty that you cannot practice “everything” Practice what you need, and be at peace!