yoga treatment for back bend, parkinsons and alzheimers

(February 24, 2009)

My grandfather who had an accident way back 20 years age. Because of that it has affected his spine and he always bends when walking.Is there any yoga to keep him fit?

Yes, Yoga will certainly be able to help your grandfather, but the extent and efficiency can vary. In addition, he will be able to reap the full benefits only if he practices regularly all the Yogic disciplines. Yoga is known to have delivered excellent results at least in arresting the strain of even serious chronic old age ailments such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. In fact, there is hardly an area of infirmity that Yoga has not touched – including HIV. Even HIV patients have baffled doctors by managing to stabilize their condition through the protracted and regular practice of Yoga.

If your grandfather practices all the Yogic disciplines he is bound to feel better, recover from his stoop and, probably, even straighten up completely. This depends, of course, to the extent of atrophy and degeneration in his musculo-skeletal system. But don’t let that bother you one bit. There is no harm in practising Yoga, it will definitely improve his overall health and add to a sense of youthfulness, heartiness vitality, and vigor it includes a routine of Yogasanas (physical poses), Pranayamas (breathing exercises), Kriyas (cleansing techniques) and a Yoga diet. For starters he will have to do all the Yogasanas (physical poses) in the following positions with special emphasis on the italicized ones:

Asanas (poses)

Standing

Ardha Chakrasana (Half Moon pose)
Parvatasana (Mountain pose)
Tadasana (Palm Tree pose)

Sitting

Ardha Matsyendrasana (Half Lord of the Fish pose)
Gomukhasana (Cow face pose)
Simhasana (Lion pose)
Ushtrasana (Camel pose)

Supine

Single Leg and Double Leg Raises
Matsyasana (Fish pose)
Navasana (Boat pose)
Pawanmuktasana (Wind relieving pose)
Purvottanasana (Inclined Plane)

Prostrate

Bhujangasana (Cobra pose)
Dhanurasana (Bow pose)
Shalabhasana (Locust pose)

Inverted

Viparita Karani (Legs against the wall pose)
Sarvangasana (Shoulder Stand)

Balancing

Garudasana (Eagle pose)
Vrikshasana (Tree pose)

Pranayamas (breathing exercises)

Kapalabhatti (Skull Cleansing)
Anuloma-Viloma (Alternate Nostril Breathing)

Kriyas (Cleansing techniques)

Jala Neti (Cleansing Nasal passages with water)
Sutra Neti (Cleansing Nasal passages with rubber catheter)
Vaman Dhauti (Cleansing stomach by vomit water on empty stomach)

Yogic Diet

We always recommend a yogic diet for everyone for quicker healing and better results. This means your diet should be Sattvic (light and predominantly vegetarian), rich in salads, seasonal fruits, sprouts and green leafy vegetables. The last is most vital to healing the bones and overall musculo-skeletal system. Likewise, he should also have milk (diluted) and buttermilk or yoghurt. Avoid, as far as possible, non-veg fare, fried, fatty and spicy foods.

Submitted by A on February 24, 2009 at 06:21