Positive Health Online

The human body is a latticework of energies, vibrating at different frequencies, encompassing the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects. It has been perfectly created to function optimally, providing we observe the laws of nature. When we divert from these laws, through breathing polluted air, eating food far from its natural state, drinking chemical laden water, ingesting toxic medication, smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol, using inorganic body and household products, being exposed to electromagnetic pollution and even thinking negative thoughts, energy imbalances result within our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual body, creating dis-ease.

The symptoms of our dis-ease are merely the body’s innate method of correcting the imbalances within, to allow us to return to our natural state of wholeness. When we attempt to treat our dis-ease through the administration of medication, we are merely temporarily suppressing the symptoms. We are not addressing the root cause of our dis-ease, i.e. the energy imbalance. The medication causes further imbalances, disrupting the body’s natural immune system, which is rarely given the opportunity to fulfil its role. Over a period of time, our initial dis-ease re-appears with more serious symptoms. Our body, once again is attempting to correct the imbalances within, to restore the healthy flow of energies. Our new symptoms are diagnosed as a new dis-ease, stronger medication is administered and the viscous cycle continues.

The traditional energy healers of India had a wealth of knowledge on how to empower the body’s innate ability to self-heal, and through the generations, a great deal of this ancient wisdom has been kept alive, some of which is described here.

Acupressure

The Indian holistic practice of diagnosing and treating the root cause of dis-ease, by applying intermittent pressure on specific areas of the hands and feet, that correspond to specific organs, glands, nerves, bones, tissues and so forth. This regulates the vital energy within the body part, empowering it to function optimally. Traditional Indian medicine widely recognizes that the physical root cause of all dis-ease lies within our endocrine and exocrine glands. These glands have a profound effect on our entire being as they regulate the functions of our systems and organs by secreting the numerous vital hormones essential for our well-being. It is only through the application of acupressure, that our endocrine and exocrine glands can be re-balanced and re-activated.

Mudras

The Indian holistic practice of balancing the vital energy throughout the body by joining different combinations of the fingers and thumbs. It is believed that the human structure is a miniature form of the universe, composed of the five elements; earth, water, fire, air and space, each of which corresponds to a specific finger or thumb. Holding specific fingers and thumbs together for a short period of time allow the elements to regain equilibrium which creates a positive effect throughout the entire being, to encourage our body’s natural healing response. Traditionally, mudras were practised in conjunction with pranayama (yogic breathing exercises) to attain a higher state of consciousness or to channel the vital flow of energy to an area of the body that required healing.

The Bronchial Mudra. The bronchial mudra is effective for releasing congestion and mucus and strengthening the respiratory system.	Detoxification Mudra. The detoxification mudra is effective for detoxifying the physical and emotional body, allowing for increased energy flow and oxygenation.
Garuda Mudra. The Garuda mudra is effective for activating the blood flow throughout the body to alleviate exhaustion.	Ksepana Mudra. The Ksepana Mudra is effective for stimulating elimination through the detoxifying organs clearing the body of impurities.

Pranayama

The Indian holistic practice of controlling the breath by a number of different techniques to increase the vital energy within the body. Our breath is the life force that flows through each and every cell within our body, and by expanding our life force we can harmonize with the life force of the universe, to receive cosmic healing energy. Our thoughts and emotions can have a detrimental effect on our breathing patterns, affecting all the bodily systems. However, with the regular practice of pranayama we can influence our physical, mental and emotional states in the most positive of ways, to initiate the body’s natural capacity to self-heal. Traditionally, pranayama was practised to release negative emotions, re-balance the body’s energies and prepare the mind for meditation.

Meditation

The Indian holistic practice of quietening the body and mind through awareness to enter a state of deep tranquillity whilst being fully alert. Meditation has been practised in India for centuries to promote good health at a spiritual, mental, emotional and physical level. It allows us to re-connect with our true selves to experience inner peace and contentment, which we can draw upon in times of external stress and chaos, to remain calm, centred and in control. Meditation is immensely therapeutic and with regular practice it enables our entire being to recuperate and recharge, to release negative thought processes, deep rooted emotional trauma and pain. Traditionally, meditation was practised to discipline the mind to attain spiritual purification or enlightenment.

Chanting

The Indian holistic practice of repeating a mantra, for a short period of time, to detach from the external world, bring our awareness to the present moment and return to the essence of our being. A mantra is a rhythmic speaking or singing of a word or sound. It is believed to calm the restless mind and rid it of negative thought processes to create tranquillity and mental purity. Chanting starts loudly, gradually becoming quieter and ends almost silently. This resonates with the energies of the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of our body, to restore inner peace and awaken our latent healing energies. Traditionally, chanting was practised with great devotion to reconnect with the divine light and love within us to experience the unity of life.

The Salabhasana (Locust or Grasshopper Pose) strengthens the lower back and opens the lungs
to encourage deep breathing.

Facial Acupressure

The Indian holistic practice of balancing the energy throughout the bodily systems by applying gentle pressure to specific points on the face that correspond to the body’s organs and glands. It is believed that our face reflects our inner physical, mental and emotional health and the upper, middle and lower areas of our face are associated with the upper, middle and lower parts of our torso. Indian energy healers study the face as a means of diagnosing health imbalances. Self-facial acupressure is effective for restoring our skin’s youthfulness and assisting our natural capacity to heal, as it re-activates the vital energy flowing through our bodily systems. Traditionally, facial acupressure was applied during an Ayurvedic head massage to calm the mind, body and spirit.

Chromotherapy

The Indian holistic practice of applying specific colours to parts of the body, by various methods to heal energy imbalances. The sun is comprised of seven colours, each of which possesses its own unique energy vibration and carries its own healing property. Each of the seven colours is associated with our seven main energy centres known as the chakras. Colour can be absorbed by our body through our chakras by sunlight, artificial light, the earth’s natural stones, water or visualization to restore harmony by correcting physical, mental and emotional energy imbalances. Traditionally, the sun was worshipped for its ability to provide the necessary healing energy required by the body, to treat and prevent dis-ease, due to its abundant and unlimited source of solar energy.

Crystals

The Indian holistic practice of placing the earth’s natural stones within the body’s magnetic field to restore the flow of healthy positive energy within and around the body by removing the toxic negative energy. The earth is crystalline, as it is composed of minerals, and our bodies are crystalline in essence; therefore our energies resonate harmoniously with the vibration of crystals. Each crystal possesses a unique chemical make-up which determines its healing property and appearance. Placing a crystal in our energy field or on a chakra allows our body to raise its vibration to that of the crystal. Traditionally, the earth’s natural stones were well known for their capacity to encourage self-healing and were widely used treat the organs and systems of the body, mind and spirit.

The Bharajvajasana (Bharadvaja’s Twist Pose) releases stress, tension and imbalances
from the digestive organs and the back.

Yoga Asanas

The Indian holistic practice of physical postures known as asanas, each of which has specific physical, mental, emotional and spiritual benefits to unite the body, mind and soul. Yoga alleviates numerous health conditions through restoring the healthy flow of our energies. The breathing carried out during the practice improves our cell oxygenation and increases our lung capacity which is beneficial to every bodily system. Regular practice of the asanas instils a calming and balancing effect on our endocrine and nervous system to relieve stress and anxiety. It is believed that as our physical body becomes more relaxed, flexible and open, this promotes a similar effect on our mental and emotional body. Traditionally, yoga asanas were practised to purify the body and quieten the mind in preparation for meditation.

Barefoot Walking

The Indian holistic practice of walking on the natural earth, barefoot to draw upon the powerful and unique energy source that lies within the earth. The earth is composed of minerals and the human body is mineral in essence, therefore our body’s energies resonate perfectly with the earth’s energies. It is believed that through the practice of barefoot walking, our body absorbs the antioxidants it requires to counteract harmful free radicals. Sleeping outdoors during the summer, on a natural fibre placed directly on the bare earth is immensely therapeutic and described as charging the entire being with the vital healing force of the universe.  Traditionally, humans were aware of the benefits of connecting their body with the earth’s surface; sleeping and sitting on natural animal skins and walking barefoot.

The Virasana (Hero Pose) opens the stomach and spleen energy pathways encouraging a healthy appetite and digestion.

Healing Visualizations

The Indian holistic practice of creating positive images of healing within the mental body, which allows the emotional body to respond by becoming receptive to the healing, which subsequently initiates the healing process in the physical body. Our body and mind are intricately connected and our thoughts have a direct influence on our physical health. By using the power of our mind, to envision our healing in process, we are disciplining our nervous system to react in a positive way, resulting in the desired outcome. The regular practice of healing visualizations, allows us to detach from our past limited beliefs to release our fears, bring our awareness to the present moment to enable us to create a healthy future. Traditionally, there was an innate awareness of the mind, body, soul connection and healing visualizations were practised through daily prayer.

Raw Food Diet

The holistic practice of eating food in its whole, un-refined and un-cooked form that is positively and negatively balanced, supplying the body with a plentiful supply of solar energy and active enzymes. Food eaten in its raw, natural state has a detoxifying, calming and balancing effect on the energies of our body, which instils a similar effect on the energies of our mind and emotions. All of the nutrients required by the body are available in plant based food, in a form that is easily assimilated. Traditionally, fasting was recommended during illness to allow the body’s energy reserves to be directed towards self-healing; however adopting a raw food diet for a short period of time can have similar health benefits.

In today’s fast-paced world, as we strive to create balance within our bodies, tranquillity within our minds and harmony within our lives, to experience inner peace and contentment, we can benefit enormously from the ancient Indian holistic wisdom of self-healing practices, to empower our body’s innate ability to self-heal, instilling physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being.

Acknowledgement Citation

Diagrams reproduced with permission from Diagnose, Treat, and Cure All Dis-ease with Traditional Indian Holistic Therapies by Vera Kaur. Published by AuthorHouse UK. 2016. ISBN 978-1-5049-9555-9.