Many people look to a variety of treatment options and exercises to cure what ails them. A popular method of trying to heal the body is by using natural means such as naturopathy, which includes yoga. This natural approach is used to treat the whole person, from mind and soul to the physical. These natural means look to prevent and heal while providing a myriad of benefits to those who practice them.
History
Yoga dates back over 3,000 years to India. While today many use yoga as an exercise and fitness routine, it is also part of a lifestyle to connect the mind, body, breath and spirituality. Naturopathy has roots back to Ancient Greece but its modern form is found in the alternative systems of the 18th and 19th centuries. Dr. Benedict Lust is the founder of modern naturopathy and brought the practice to America from Germany. In 1902 Lust founded the American School of Naturopathy.
Yoga
There are many kinds of yoga, including those that are fast-paced like ashtanga or hot like Bikram. For the most part, hatha yoga is what Westerners practice and think of when the term yoga is used. "Ha" means sun and "tha" means moons, hence the sun and moon salutations within the practice. The asanas, or postures, along with the pranayama, or breathing, are the keys to yoga. Yoga, just like any other exercise, has many variations and expressions that can help practitioners feel better and work toward a more active lifestyle.
Naturopathy
Naturopathy is a branch of medicine that focuses on the healing power of nature. It aims to find the root cause of diseases and conditions by looking at and understanding the body, mind and spirit of the patient. The natural approach focuses on supporting the way the body heals itself and helping patients make the best lifestyle choices they can and any changes necessary for optimum health. While naturopathic practitioners can treat chronic conditions and intermittent illness, the emphasis is on prevention and education.
Benefits
Yoga is known to be a great stress reducer for many and is easy for most people to do. Since the focus is on the movement and breath, the stress of the day is not front and center. There are many physical benefits to yoga, including flexibility, strength, muscle tone, pain prevention and improved breathing. Naturopathic treatments look to heal and not just treat a symptom. The approach also incorporates many treatment methods and therapies as a package rather than using one type of treatment. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that since the scope of treatment is so vast in naturopathy, the approach may be very well suited to treating chronic conditions.
Considerations
Yoga is normally considered a safe practice for those in good health who perform the moves properly. Yoga may not be appropriate for those with spinal issues, glaucoma or risk of blood clots. Naturopathic doctors are not medical doctors. Make sure your medical doctor and naturopathic doctor are informed of any supplements or medications that you are taking. As of 2009, 15 states had licensing requirements for naturopathic doctors, which means they need to graduate from a four-year residential program and pass an exam to be licensed.
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