Hatha Yoga Or A Prescription Drug

The therapeutic application of Hatha Yoga has received a great deal of publicity within the past two decades. Much of this publicity is based upon early results from recent medical and scientific studies or trials. Physicians often recommend Yoga to their patients, but can Yoga be classified as more than an adjunct activity or therapy?

Over thousands of years, humanity has looked for a remedy for all ailments, ills, and diseases. Some alchemists spent their entire lives searching for cures to all that causes us suffering. At this point in time, we have contemporary medicine and many alternatives, such as: Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, Hatha Yoga, and many more alternative sciences.

Over the past few decades, the pharmaceutical industry, and western medicine, have taken on some bad publicity for long term side effects, due to the use of prescribed drugs. Is there a clear cut answer as to what is the best solution for the patient?

The answer is not clear because no two cases are completely alike. What works for one person, may not work for another - even if both had identical situations and symptoms. The point being: there is a lot misinformation for the sake of promoting one type of therapy over another.

As you research the Internet, you may read popular opinions that lead you to believe high blood pressure medication is an inferior solution to alternative therapies, diet, and exercise. In some cases, this might be true, while in other cases this is false.

The person who makes a concerted effort to regulate diet and exercise is not guaranteed a life with optimum blood pressure. Genetics and social conditions also have to do with our state of health. Will Hatha Yoga be able to compensate for all the factors that cause ailments, ills, and diseases?

Sometimes, Yoga is a viable solution to help people, who are suffering; and sometimes, it is a good preventative method. Each of us is personally responsible for finding the best possible solution toward optimum health. In most cases, Hatha Yoga will help improve health. However, selecting the appropriate type of Yoga class is another challenge.

Yoga teachers should be absolutely certain a first-time student can enter Yoga classes, correctly labeled as: gentle, beginner, therapeutic, or restorative." If possible, Yoga teachers should network for recommendations from local physicians, and establish a reputation of safety, professionalism, compassion, and competence.

Some "athletic-minded" Yoga schools may not cater to all the needs of the public. Yoga classes that are too challenging, hot, or physically demanding, should be labeled as such. A new student, who has been recovering from illness, going through physical rehabilitation, has pre-existing health conditions, or has been physically inactive throughout his or her adult life, should not be put at risk of injury.