Yoga Therapy: Foundations, Methods, and Practices for Common Ailments

by Mark Stephens

Overview

Introducing practical, yoga-based tools for working with a wide array of common injuries and ailments, from ankle sprains to vertigo—by the bestselling author of Teaching Yoga

With asanas, pranayamas, and meditations specific to each health condition, this is the ultimate guide for yoga teachers looking to adapt their classes to the diverse needs of their students.

Surveying historical writings on yoga, ayurveda, and scientific medical approaches to health and healing, Mark Stephens distills this received wisdom of ancient and modern practices for more insightful and practical application in today’s world. He applies these insights to healing musculoskeletal injuries; promoting a healthy reproductive system; and addressing mental, emotional, and behavioral difficulties. With each health condition, Stephens applies yoga to the most recent evidence-based practices for healing, offering an integral place for yoga in integrative health practices.

Yoga Therapy is a practical manual with a systematic approach of considering the nature of each health condition and the specific asanas, pranayamas, and meditations most helpful in healing it. Rather than adopting a narrow medical model of healing as the reduction or elimination of symptoms, Stephens invites yoga therapists, teachers and students to relate to health as a continuous, dynamic process of self-care in which the qualities of personal experience and social connectivity matter.

Stephens illustrates that how we live our lives—including our emotional states, nutrition, sleep, relationships, and sense of purpose—is reflected in our sense of balance (or imbalance) and well-being (or disease). Comprehensive, accessible, and informed by decades of deep study, practice, and teaching, this is an indispensable reference.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781623171063
Publisher:	North Atlantic Books
Publication date:	11/07/2017
Pages:	720
Sales rank:	452,005
Product dimensions:	7.97(w) x 10.00(h) x 1.66(d)

About the Author

Mark Stephens is a dedicated yoga student whose personal experience of yoga’s promise to make life better inspires him to share the practice through teaching and scholarly writing.
 
Described by Yoga Journal as “the teacher's teacher,” Stephens, a certified yoga therapist and member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists, is the author of the international best sellers Teaching Yoga, Yoga Sequencing, and Yoga Adjustments, which have been published in nine languages.
 
From deep study of yoga history and philosophy, human anatomy and physiology, social and interpersonal dynamics, and Eastern and Western theories of being and consciousness, Stephens brings a nondogmatic, accessible, and integrated perspective to yoga therapy that makes yoga a more refined resource for healthy living.
 
Practicing yoga daily for more than twenty-five years and teaching for more than twenty years, Stephens draws from his prior years in academia, as an education consultant, and as a progressive social change activist to create practical resources for yoga teachers and therapists. In 1997 he founded Yoga Inside Foundation—establishing therapeutic yoga programs in more than 300 schools, treatment centers, and prisons across North America—for which he received Yoga Journal's first annual Karma Yoga Award.
 
Stephens lives in Santa Cruz, California, and teaches globally.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments xix

Introduction: Yoga for Healing and Wholeness xxi

Being Healthy Human Beings xxii

The Promise of Yoga in Healing xxv

Part I The Origins and Sources of Yoga Therapy

1 Yoga Sources 3

What Is Yoga? 3

A Very Brief History of Yoga 7

Hatha Yoga 11

2 Ayurvedic Sources 17

The Origins, Sources, and Development of Ayurveda 18

Ayurveda's Underlying Philosophy and Principles 22

Etiology: The Causes of Disease in Ayurvedic Theory 37

3 Modern Medical Science 39

From Mysticism to the Scientific Method 40

Scientific Advances 45

Conclusion 48

4 Integrating the Healing Arts and Sciences 51

The Efficacy and Limitations of Scientific Medicine 52

The Efficacy and Limitations of Holistic Medicine 55

Healing and Curing: Toward an Integrative Approach 59

Integrative Health in Practice 61

Essential Considerations in Health and Healing 69

Part II The Human Bodymind's Major Systems

5 Skin: The Integumentary System 75

The Epidermis, Dermis, and Hypodermis 76

Deep Fascia 78

Common Integumentary Pathologies 78

Cultivating a Healthy Integumentary System 79

6 Bones and Joints: The Skeletal System 83

Bones 84

Joints 86

Joint Stability and Movement 89

Describing Anatomical Direction 92

Movement in Planes of Motion 92

Common Bone and Joint Pathologies 97

Cultivating a Healthy Skeletal System 98

7 Muscles: The Muscular System 99

The Skeletal Muscle 100

The Musculoskeletal System 106

Common Muscular Pathologies 125

Cultivating a Healthy Muscular System 126

8 The Nervous System 127

The Central Nervous System 128

The Peripheral Nervous System 128

Common Neurological Pathologies 130

Cultivating a Healthy Neurological System 132

9 Kinesiology and the Biomechanics of Movement 133

Moving into Stillness 133

The Nature of Human Movement 134

Proprioception and Refined Movement 139

10 Heart and Blood: The Cardiovascular System 143

Heart and Soul 143

The Heart and Circulation 144

Common Heart Pathologies 148

Cultivating a Healthy Heart 149

11 Cleansing and Defending: The Lymphatic System 151

Moving Fluids 152

Lymphoid Tissues and Organs 152

Natural Defense and Healing Systems 153

Common Lymphatic Pathologies 155

Cultivating a Healthy Lymphatic System 156

12 Breathing: The Respiratory System 157

Pneuma and the Exchange of Energy 157

The Organs of Respiration 159

Common Respiratory Pathologies 164

Cultivating a Healthy Respiratory System 166

13 Glands: The Endocrine System 169

Hormones as Communicators 170

Common Endocrine Pathologies 176

Cultivating a Healthy Endocrine System 177

14 Digestion: The Digestive System 179

How Much of You Is What You Eat? 179

The Digestive Tract 180

The Mouth and Throat 180

The Teeth 181

The Stomach 182

The Small Intestine 183

The Large Intestine 184

The Liver and Gallbladder in Digestion 184

The Pancreas 185

Common Digestive Pathologies 185

Cultivating a Healthy Digestive System 186

15 Letting Go: The Urinary System 189

Filtering 190

The Kidneys 190

The Bladder 191

Common Urinary Pathologies 192

Cultivating a Healthy Urinary System 193

16 Ultimate Human Creativity: The Reproductive System 195

Sexual Reproduction 195

The Male Reproductive System 196

The Female Reproductive System 198

Fertilization and Human Development 200

Common Reproductive Pathologies 201

Cultivating a Healthy Reproductive System 202

Part III Helping Others Heal with Yoga

17 Integrity in Yoga Therapy: Teachers, Healers, and Therapists 205

Yoga Therapy as a Clearly Defined Practice 210

18 Communicating and Interacting in Yoga Therapy 217

Guiding Principles in the Healing Relationship: Kriyas and Yamas 217

Principles and Skills for Interacting with Students and Clients 222

Developing Healing Communication Skills 223

Mindful Listening 226

Attentive Presence 227

Directive Dialogue 228

Nondirective Dialogue 229

19 Assessing and Planning Healing Practices 231

Self-and Client-Assessments 231

Interviewing and Assessing 232

Creating a Therapeutic Yoga Practice Treatment Plan 262

Implementing a Therapeutic Yoga Practice Treatment Plan 268

Part IV Yoga Therapy Practices

20 Asana Practices. 273

The Heart of Practicing Yoga Asanas 274

The Bodymind, Somatics, and Personal Choices in Health and Healing 275

The Essential Qualities of Asana Practice 280

Adaptive Practices 285

21 Pranayama Practices 287

The Discovery and Development of Pranayama 288

Cultivating Basic Breath Awareness 290

Refining the Flow of the Breath 291

Deepening and Refining Pranayama Practices 295

22 Meditation Practice 309

Patanjali's Isolation Path: Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana 310

Taking One Seat 313

Six Guided Meditation Techniques 314

When to Meditate 318

Meditating amid the Body and Breath 319

Part V Healing Common Conditions

23 Healing Musculoskeletal Conditions 323

Feet, Ankle, and Lower Leg Issues 324

Knee Issues 350

Upper Leg and Hip Issues 379

Spinal and Neck Conditions 439

Shoulder, Arm, and Hand Conditions 498

24 Mental, Emotional, and Behavioral Conditions 551

Cultivating Emotional and Mental Health 553

Alzheimer's Disease 556

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) 558

Substance Abuse 560

Depression and Anxiety 564

Insomnia 567

25 Practices for a Healthy Reproductive System 569

Practices for Women's Reproductive System Health 571

Infertility 589

Endometriosis 590

Male Prostatitis 591

Erectile Dysfunction 592

Part VI Epilogue: The Promising Future of Yoga Therapy

Notes 597

Bibliography 631

Index 679

Editorial Reviews

A deep bow to Mark Stephens for this substantial contribution to the growing field of yoga therapy! Thoroughly grounded in yoga’s historical and philosophical foundations, this book balances well-researched, practical information with heart-felt wisdom. From the insightful section on “Healing and Curing” to the practical applications of yoga therapy for a wide range of conditions, Stephens skillfully conveys the truly integrative nature of yoga therapy. An essential resource for yoga therapists, clinicians, and educators in the field!”
—Janice Gates, past president, International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT), author of Yogini: The Power of Women in Yoga and founder/director of Marin Yoga Therapy and Somatic Yoga Therapy Programs
 
“Yoga therapy is a big field, encompassing the entirety of yoga and its many practices along with aspects of Western medicine, ayurveda, physiology, physical therapy, kinesiology, psychology, philosophy, spiritual development, and more. No single volume can do it full justice, but Mark Stephens has done a yeoman's job to assemble much of the background information aspiring yoga therapists will need to understand. This book is smart, thoughtful, and well researched and doesn't shy away from presenting a strong—and sometimes provocative—point of view. I recommended it highly.”
—Timothy McCall, MD, author of Yoga As Medicine, coeditor of The Principles and Practice of Yoga in Health Care, and medical editor of Yoga Journal
 
“Mark Stephens’ capacity for conveying both the depth and the breadth of the yogic sciences is all the more powerful because of his commitment to practice. His works to date on teaching, sequencing, and adjustments have already established him as one of the foremost authorities in yoga education. With the emergence of yoga therapy in recent years as a powerful form of integrative healing, Stephens now brings his scholar’s mind and practitioner’s wisdom to the field. A boon for all!”
—Micah Mortali, director of The Kripalu Schools (School of Integrative Yoga Therapy, School of Yoga, School of Ayurveda), Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health
 
“Going back to the time of the Buddha, yoga practitioners have been divided into two groups: Experimentalists who know yoga through their bodies and Speculatives who know yoga through its philosophical teachings. Mark Stephens' Yoga Therapy is proof that he has mastered both paths.”
—David Gordon White, author of Sinister Yogis and The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali: A Biography
 
“Yoga Therapy, a thorough and comprehensive landmark book, offers illuminating insight into yoga, yoga therapy, and the interface with Western medicine. Along with Stephens’ generous offering of practical information, he espouses the attributes of kindness and compassion in yoga therapy practice, which although often overlooked are indeed the very heart of yoga itself. An essential read for every yoga therapist!”
—Nischala Joy Devi, yoga teacher and therapist and author of The Healing Path of Yoga and The Secret Power of Yoga
 
“The next great yoga therapy book from an excellent teacher and author. Highly recommended for yoga teachers, health professionals, and students.”
—Larry Payne, coauthor of Yoga Therapy & Integrative Medicine, Yoga Rx, and Yoga for Dummies and founding director of Yoga Therapy Rx & Prime of Life Yoga Programs, Loyola Marymount University
 
“Mark Stephens’ Yoga Therapy is a complete guide to anyone who wants thorough information on subtle as well as gross anatomy, ayurvedic principles, and insight into the many intricacies of the human body and spirit as it relates to yoga and healing. The scope of this book is clearly a labor of devotion and knowledge.”
—Jo Ann Staugaard-Jones, author of The Vital Psoas Muscle and Concise Book of Yoga Anatomy
 
“Prolific author Mark Stephens offers a comprehensive primer on yoga therapy and his synthesis of theories, practices, and remedies for a host of ailments.”
—Ganga White, author of Yoga Beyond Belief and codirector of White Lotus Foundation
 
“This comprehensive textbook for yoga therapists offers an original synthesis of yoga practices with the insights of Western medicine.”
—Barbara Dossey, PhD, RN, AHN-BC, FAAN, HWNC-BC, author of Holistic Nursing and codirector of International Nurse Coach Association
 
“Mark Stephens’ sober but optimistic assessment of the potential for yoga therapy inside the Western medical model is a welcome addition. My hope is that the field will follow his well-informed guidance in the attempt to responsibly integrate these two models of healthcare that have so much to offer each other because, ultimately, it is the patients that will benefit.”
—David Emerson, author of Trauma-Sensitive Yoga in Therapy and director of Yoga Service, The Trauma Center at Justice Resource Institute

From the Publisher