Yoga is a 5000-year-old Indian philosophy that combines exercise, breathing, diet, relaxation and meditation. It is a combination of physical and mental disciplines which makes the body stronger and healthier and the mind calmer and more controlled, helping towards self-realization. It emphasizes the relationship of body, mind and breath, the synchronization of the breath and movement, the use of preparation, counter pose, sequences of linked postures and modification of postures to suit individual needs. Yoga is the art of living. It is about getting to know yourself. Integrating the many aspects of ourselves and putting us in control of our minds; the effects are holistic, bringing about health awareness and a change of attitude towards ourselves and the world around us. We cannot practise yoga without changes happening within ourselves, becoming more aware that it influences our life and the way we live. The beauty of yoga is that it is accessible to everyone, as the session can be adapted to each person’s level of fitness or state of health.

Naturopathy can be defined as a drugless, non-invasive, rational and evidence-based system of medicine imparting treatments with natural elements based on the theory of vitality, theory of toxaemia, theory of self-healing capacity of the body and the principles of healthy living. Natural medicine is rooted in the healing wisdom of many cultures and times. As a distinct health profession in our country, Naturopathic medicine is over 150 years old. 

The relevance of Yoga & Naturopathy

Physical and mental therapy is one of the Yoga's most important achievements. What makes it so powerful and effective is the fact that it works on the holistic principles of harmony and unification. Yoga has succeeded as an alternative form of therapy in diseases such as asthma, diabetes, blood pressure, arthritis, digestive disorders and other ailments of chronic nature. According to medical scientists, yoga therapy is successful because of the balance created in the nervous and endocrine system which directly influences all the other systems and organs of the body. Yoga is simply a means of maintaining health and well-being in an increasingly stressful society. Asanas remove the physical discomfort accumulated during a day at the office, sitting in a chair. From the physical body, yoga moves on mental and emotional levels.

The modern medical system has replaced almost all the traditional systems of medicine in different parts of this globe because of its rational basis. It has proven itself most effective in saving man from the fatal hands of contagious and infectious diseases. However, the rapidly increasing incidence of lifestyle disorders is posing a great challenge. It is here that the Indian Systems of Medicine, Yoga and Naturopathy can make a vital contribution.

A major lifestyle change has come upon the people over the past 20 years. The present generation is becoming a victim to sedentary lifestyle consisting of unhealthy eating habits, stress and negligible physical activities. Diabetes mellitus, hypertension, asthma, obesity, musculo-skeletal disorders etc. are but to name a few disorders that has become a common issue affecting nearly all families in India. The increasing awareness that most of the common non-communicable diseases having mind body mechanisms has led to many studies that involve mind management. 'Yoga therapy', an experiential science and an offshoot of thousands of years of internal research by Indian sages, provides a systematic methodology with its firm roots in a holistic philosophy.

Life natural or prakruthi jeevanam is, living in tune with the constructive principles of nature to preserve and promote health, also to prevent diseases. Keeping up the right mental attitude; the practice of yoga; observance of the principles of healthy living or the laws of nature related to exercise, rest & sleep; a rational use of air, water & sunlight; following the rules related to drinking & eating habits; consumption of the right food; and protection of mother nature are the basics of life naturally. This kind of a healthy lifestyle is also known as living nearer to nature which ensures a perfect, symmetrical, synchronized functioning of the body and mind. This helps to improve the immunity power and ensures prevention of all diseases. Violation of nature’s laws or living away from the nature leads to lowered vitality, diminishes the immunity power, causes accumulation of toxins, abnormal composition of blood and lymph, leading to poor health and the individual turns prone to all kinds of diseases. To regain the lost health, at this stage one has to resort to Naturopathy or say “return to nature”.