A while ago I started to think about the benefits Yoga could bring to people with AIDS. I have been teaching Yoga for over 20 years and during that time I have witnessed some wonderful transformations - in my own life and in that of my students - including impressive improvements of physical health, particularly in stress related diseases, growing self-confidence and creativity and a deeper awareness of Self and "the meaning of life".
I became certain that the various techniques of Yoga could bring both general and specific benefits to people with AIDS. The Hatha Yoga cleansing practices, such as shankhaprakshalana, would help to de-toxify and strengthen the immune system; Yoga Nidra would help to bring about an almost immediate reduction in tension; meditation would help people understand their present condition and its causes and bring them close to an acceptance and love of themselves - essential for any form of transformation.
In the course of my reading (especially Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, Nick Bamforth and Don Milligan, Caroline Myss, Renee Sabatier, Paul Reed and Stephen Levine) I also realised that the HIV+ status is NOT irreversible, neither is AIDS fatal. And this is not because the drug companies have found a cure - they haven't. The unpublicised but documented cases I read about, where people have totally reversed their positive status, all concerned people who had dramatically transformed their lives, realised a spiritual dimension to their being. And this had happened through improved diet, naturopathic or homeopathic treatment, meditation and, in many cases, a deep religious faith. However, I found that very little work has been done with Yoga, apart from some very helpful articles by Andre van Lysbeth in his bi-monthly revue, "Yoga", which confirmed my feelings about the importance of pranayama and certain asanas, etc. which work directly on the thymus gland. I also received good advice from Swami Janakananda in Sweden, who recommended Kriya Yoga and from Dr Charles Moigneteau in France.
But from thinking to doing is often a large step. So what happened next? One evening I received a telephone call from a man who helped run a small support group for HIV+ people in SE London, and he had been advised to ring me to see if I could help in setting up a Yoga class for the group. My initial joy at his request surprised him a bit, and after various discussions the class started at the end of 1990.
In the very first session I received the first of many important lessons. With new students, I always ask them if they suffer from any ailments - high blood pressure, slipped disc, etc -and, true to form, I asked my students suffering from AIDS what their particular problems were. I was firmly informed that they do not "suffer from AIDS" - they "live with it". Some of the students are HIV+ and healthy, others have Kaposi's Sarcoma, P.C.P., fungal infections, diarrhoea and other digestive problems, pain in the joints and they are often tired and lethargic. Most of the students are gay men, with a few women. There are no IV drug users and ages range from early 20s to late 50s.
I had decided to stick to my basic formula, according to the instructions of my guru, Swami Satyananda Saraswati of the Bihar School of Yoga, so for the first couple of months we practised the Pavanmuktasana series (B.S.Y publication 'Asana, Pranayama, Mudra and Bandha') with breath awareness; we learn the 3-part breath and ended each class with a simple Yoga Nidra including a Sankalpa (resolve). Although I was keen to get on to some more advanced practices with specific relevance to the HIV+ person, I felt that a firm basis was important. As the students are very open and receptive, we progressed well. More than any other class, this group caught on to the importance of breath awareness and, adding this to working with the body, from the very start gave a deeper dimension to our work.
Here follows some quotes from the students:
"The single most valuable contribution of Yoga to my well-being is to do with breath awareness. Both during and after the formal practice, returning to the breath helps me to stay in the present and to become aware and let go of tensions and disturbing emotions. Even the doctors are amazed at my improvement and at the quality of my breath - complete Yogic breath is the answer"
"Yoga has helped me channel energies at times when they are needed. Certain asanas I find I automatically go into and I allow the body to tell me. I use some of the cleansing practices on a regular basis. This daily cleansing reduces (I am sure) the possibility of organisms 'breeding' in such substances of mucus, also allowing a clearer passage for the breath - our life force".
As I lead a very stressful life Yoga helps me to relax, meditate and get in closer harmony with my body. It helps me to visualise my body as a whole and regenerate it. Yoga enables me to focus my attention on my body or parts of it and cleanse it of what I want to reject - the virus."
"My skeleton and muscles now feel as if they can be used. For a long time my body felt ill and useless. I have found that with the Yoga I can recognise different levels of tension and at times I am able to release it. As regards to my health, I've never felt better. I seem to be in control of my own energy. Before the Yoga I used to be afraid of becoming exhausted or tired. I thought I wouldn't recover from any physical work. So I put only the minimum effort into my life and got the minimum back. In short. Yoga has given me a positive outlook on myself, which is making me a stronger person who can heal himself and take part in life."
Asanas which have a direct effect on the all important thymus gland includes Matsyasana (Fish), Sarvangasana (Shoulder-stand), Sirsasana (Headstand) and Viparita karani mudra (Inverted position). We started with Matsyasana and abdominal breathing, building up to 21 rounds of breath, and once this was easy we moved up to the thoracic breath with direct concentration on the thymus. Matsyasana was balanced with Halasana and later on, Sarvangasana.
I always stressed the importance of students practicing at least the above few exercise at home daily, gradually increasing the time spent in each and deepening their awareness. Now after about two years, all students can manage these very well and they also do full Sirsasana or a half-headstand. Before the end of the year we shall learn Viparita karani mudra with a specific awareness of Ujjayi breath between the Manipura and Vishuddhi chakras, to increase the pranic flow in this vital area.
In addition to direct stimulation of the thymus, we can also work indirectly, by toning the adrenals and kidneys, using Bhujangasana (Cobra), Shalabhasana (Locust), Dhanurasana (Bow), Ushtrasana (Camel), Paschimottanasana (Forward Bend) and a number of other classical forward and backward bending postures including Surya Namaskara (Sun Salutations). We are currently working on Ushtrasana, which is hard work for some people, and Paschimottanasana, gradually building up the time spent in each and learning how to use the abdominal breath, according to whether effort or letting go is required. Surya Namaskara was introduced in the 4th month and we now experiment with a fast, dynamic practice sometimes, to oxygenate the whole sy3tem, or alternatively a slow, meditative practice, with concentration of breath in the relevant chakras and a more direct effect on the Pranamaya kosha (pranic body). Specific techniques of pranayama which are proving helpful include nadi shodan (alternate nostril breathing, or cleansing of the nadis), to bring about calmness and stability and to balance pranic flow in Ida and Pingala nadis and, therefore, in the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems. Ujjayi is also important, particularly as it facilitates directing energy into various parts of the body and can be used by the students according to their particular needs. We also do Bhastrika (bellow breath) - and soon kapalbhati (shining skull breath) - to help purify and detoxify the lungs, to massage the thymus and to oxygenate the whole body, which is important for the HIV+ body. Bhramari, the humming breath, we also use quite a lot, as a calming, pre-meditative technique and also for directing awareness into the chakras, as the medium of sound is a powerful tool for internalising our attention.
In the area of meditation we initially used Yoga nidra, known and loved all over the world as THE method of deep relaxation, leading to the state of Pratyahara. In the case of AIDS, as with cancer, visualisation is an essential element of self-healing and this can be developed through Yoga nidra. We are also using the "pairs of opposites" to explore pain, anger and fear, which are huge blockages in most of us and particularly pertinent to the HIV+ Yoga student.
As well as the classes, most students practice regularly with my cassette tapes. Yoga Nidra has also prepared the ground for the advanced technique of self-healing known as Prana Vidya, which we are currently learning, stage by stage. Another technique of Swami Satyananda's is Ajapa japa - awareness of Uijayi breath and the mantra SOHAM - which we use between Manipura and Vishuddhi chakras (adrenals and thymus again) and this practice will also serve as an important preparation for Kriya Yoga for those who wish to learn it in the future.
Awareness of chakras is something I introduced sooner than I normally do, as it seemed essential to have some understanding of our psychic being if the students were to understand what had made them susceptible to the virus in the first place, and from there to progress to real knowledge of the Self with clarity and balance. If we consider the main groups of people effected by the virus in this country and elsewhere, we can see that most feel themselves to be living in a basically hostile environment, subject to rejection, insecurity and fear (Mooladhara, Base Chakra). Many people have feelings of low self-esteem and have difficulty expressing and receiving love (Anahata, Heart Chakra), and some search for love through extensive sexual activity {Swadhisthana Second Chakra associated with the organs of excretion and reproduction). Some people block their needs and only rarely express emotion, whilst others become a slave to every passing demand of the ego {Manipura Third Chakra situated at the Solar Plexus).
Many have cared for partners and friends in the later stages of AIDs related diseases and time after time they have had to watch someone they love die, coming to terms with their own profound grief and loss is another aspect which may be helped through developing a more Yogic approach to life and death. So it seems fairly obvious too that we must work on bringing about a balance in the lower chakras - recognise the material attachments and the fear, balance our sexual needs, harmonise our emotions and, as we start to get in touch with the deeper levels of our being, see how it is possible to channel energy upwards, towards a higher and more subtle expression, leading to a greatly improved quality of life. We recognise, not only our responsibility towards ourselves, but also a Higher Intelligence working behind the scenes.
I must point out that many of the students have made the most enormous leaps in understanding since knowing they are HIV+. Young men, who could be my sons, have looked me straight in the eyes and, told me, absolutely seriously, that they are glad they have contracted the virus, because without it they would never have started to look at themselves and at life in any depth. Now they are full of joy and enthusiasm and they experience profound one-ness with their fellow beings and with Nature. And it strikes me that, as a Yoga teacher, I am often encouraging people to open up and let go of some of their limitations: in the HIV+ classes it is almost a question of filling up some of the gaps, as people have made massive changes very quickly.
The students tell me that they like the security of a class which is limited to people living with AIDS, but many of them now come to the Centre and participate in kirtan, shankaprakshalana and other Yoga classes. From the initial class in S.E. London we now have a second weekly class held here, at Satyananda Yoga Centre, and I teach a group at the Body Positive centre in Earls Court. I also give talks at other Centres and organise day seminars.
Finally, I would like to say that I regard these classes as a great gift at this point in my Yoga teaching life. They show me new angles, new depths to techniques that I have been practicing and teaching for many years, and I am learning quite as much as the students. It is wonderful to be involved with such a caring, courageous and open-minded people, to whom I feel very close. May we grow old and wise together.
Hari Om Tat Sat
About Swami Pragyamurti Saraswati
Swami Pragyamurti's interest in finding a spiritual path gained momentum in the 60's when she joined various meditation groups, and finally came in contact with the teachings of die Bihar School of Yoga and its founder, Swami Satyananda Saraswati. She met Swami Satyananda in 1969 in France and was accepted as his disciple. On Swamiji's instructions, she started teaching yoga in 1971 at her house in South London, which we now know as the Satyananda Yoga Centre.
Throughout the 70's, in addition to bringing up a large family, Swami Pragyamurti continued to practice and to teach asana, pranayama, yoga nidra and a variety of meditation techniques, and extended her activities into the local Adult Education Institutes. In 1979 Swami Pragyamurti received Sannyasi Diksha from Swami Satyananda and dedicated her life to serving her Guru and Yoga. Following this initiation her work-load increased and she was invited to conduct seminars and retreats all over the UK, Eire and France, inspiring and guiding many hundreds of yoga seekers, as well as helping and encouraging other yoga teachers.
In the last decade Swami Pragyamurti's main areas of work and interest include the setting up and teaching of a 2-year Yoga Teacher Training Course, according to the Bihar School of Yoga tradition, which is duly recognized by the British Wheel of Yoga. She also works extensively with people living with HIV/AIDS and is a well loved friend and teacher to many in this field. She also teaches in a large men's prison in London, where she feels strongly the importance and relevance of yoga and meditation to the inmates.
Under her guidance Satyananda Yoga Centre has grown into a vibrant group of teachers and students, many of them disciples of Swami Satyananda and his successor, Swami Niranjanananda. A well-trained group of dedicated teachers spread yoga into all areas, including diverse educational establishments, drug-rehabs, as well as helping people with learning difficulties and various physical/mental disabilities.
Since 1985 Swami Pragyamurti regularly visits the Bihar School of Yoga in India, to practice intensive sadhana and to imbibe new teachings. Her warmth and humor, as well as increasing wisdom are apparent to all who know her, and she is a good example of how the Indian tradition of Sannyasi can be successfully integrated with life in a busy Western city.
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