Meditation and Positive Thinking
The benefits of the postures are greater if you concentrate the healing action where it is needed. You can incorporate a variety of affirmations, meditation/concentration practices, and visualization. Many times focusing on an object or sound (like clicking of a clock) can help us concentrate and leave our distracting thoughts away.
An Affirmation is a declaratory statement of yourself. They are inner-self conditioners. Our inner mind will believe everything we say with conviction and emotional force. It takes some persistent repetitions to get the desired result.
Typical affirmations that can be used are:
I am at my desired weight (for dieters)
My lungs are pure and clean (for smokers who want to get out of the habit)
I feel continuously alert, vital and useful (general), etc.
Even more powerful technique than affirmation is Visualisation. Here, we show our subconscious mind a picture of what we are talking about. Forming such a picture inside your mind is called visualization. To be effective, visualisation should involve all senses, not just sight. Imagine the state or thing we want.
How does it feel when we have it?
What will you be with it? What does it feel?
What does it look like? How does it sound? How does it taste?
How does it smell?
For healing therapy, visualize the state without the condition. For example, for those trying to lose weight, visualize yourself in the desired weight and physical condition and imagine life in the new state. You should mentally see the affected area as it receives fresh blood circulation, oxygen, and physical massage. A diabetic should visualize the healing energies flowing into the pancreas, near the stomach. A rheumatic can concentrate on the release of synovial fluid. (Synovial fluid is a lubricant and also disperses waste matter which can cause stiffness at joints).
Thus, most effective Yoga therapy involves a three-pronged attack. When you practice postures, you are strengthening the body. When you control your breathing, you are creating a chemical and emotional balance. And when you concentrate your mind on affirmations, you are practicing the power of prayer. But when all three approaches are synthesized, you are entering the most powerful mystery of healing: the basic harmony of life.
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