Yoga Therapy for Autoimmune Diseases

Did you know that autoimmune diseases are common, affecting over 23 million Americans and 2 million Canadians? Autoimmune diseases are a leading cause of death and disability in North America especially among women. Some autoimmune diseases are rare, while others such as hypothyroid disease affect many people.

Yoga therapy uses well-defined yoga postures in a sequence together with Pranayama (breathing techniques) to help maintain and heal the body. It can help reduce symptoms associated with some ailments by the regular practice of a simple flow of yoga poses in a sequence to bring the body to maximum good health.

The International Association of Yoga Therapy says even if all “yoga is potentially therapeutic and healing, yoga therapy is the specific application of yogic tools—postures/exercises, breath work, meditation techniques, and more—to address an individual’s physical, mental, and emotional needs.”

Annex 1 talked about Autoimmune Diseases. Annex 2 recommends how to balance the doshas. Annex 3 is a yoga sequence for Rheumatoid Arthritis. Annex 4 is a yoga sequence for a healthy Circulatory System. Annex 5 caution about movements to avoid based on autoimmune conditions. Annex 6 recommends how to balance the Vayus, and Annex 7 recommends a yoga sequence for Diabetes.