Janu Basti helps restore balance to the Vata dosha by applying selected oils warm. (Getty)
See how yoga's 'Sukshma Vyayam' or subtle exercises and Ayurveda's Janu Basti can be combined to relieve arthritis pain.
Janki Kashyap had been suffering from knee pain for a few years since he turned forty-five. Every year, the pain would get worse with the arrival of monsoon rains, but this year the pain was unbearable because he also had swelling in both knees, all this right after his mother passed away.
More for rest than for treatment, she decided to stay at a Yoga center for a while.
After six days of therapy, the knee pain was substantially reduced. Three weeks later, she confirmed that the relief continued. “My knee pain has decreased a lot. Yoga therapy definitely helped, and Ayurveda Janu Basti worked amazingly. There is normal pain in rheumatoid arthritis and there is additional pain that comes with inflammation and swelling. Janu Basti eliminates the second pain in just two sessions,” she explained.
Janki had also taken physiotherapy for other joint pains, but found that although it was good during the therapy, it did not provide lasting relief.
The yoga practices she was taught were relaxation practices i.e. Sukshma Vyayam. She had tried practicing yoga after reading books and articles online but was glad that the yoga therapist told her exactly where to apply pressure and more importantly how to breathe properly. She believes that coordinating breathing fluidly and scientifically with the movements played a crucial role in gaining benefits. The variations of the exercises were customized with instructions like “push your calf muscles into the floor,” “now push your knees down,” and “push your thighs down.”
WHY YOGIC SUKSHMA VYAYAM WORKS BETTER
When the knee joint has worn out, it is best to avoid postures that put weight and stress on the joint. Gentle exercises are preferable. In addition, it is necessary to strengthen the muscles that support the joint (thigh, calf and muscles surrounding the knee) through exercises and stretches.
Sukshma Vyayam includes simple yet subtle exercises for all joints, muscles and ligaments that increase circulation in and around the joints and promote their lubrication. Regular practice recharges the body and mood and can help manage diseases of the body systems. They are especially suitable when one is unable to do asanas due to health problems. *See box at the end for more details on Sukshma Vyayam.
WHAT IS JANU BASTI?
'Janu' refers to knees and 'Basti' to support.
In Janu BastiA ring made of moist black gram flour (and sometimes plain flour) is placed around the knee. Warm medicated oil is then poured into the ring. Warm oil is added repeatedly at regular intervals to replace the cooled oil. The oils used vary, depending on the Ayurvedic constitution and condition of the patient.
The procedure usually lasts half an hour and is followed by a body massage (Abhyanga) and hot follicle formations (Svedana).
WHY SUKSHMA VYAYAM, JANU BASTI WORK IN MONSOONS
According to Ayurveda, the Vata dosha (air and space element in the body) is in excess during the monsoon season. The joints are a site of Vata, as they have spaces. Vata affects movements and the nervous system; the joints are also connected to the nervous tissues.
Joint pain is an invariable sign of excess Vata. Sukshma Vyayam relieves Vata by improving Prana in the joints, muscles, ligaments and tendons, and strengthening the muscles surrounding the joints, thereby increasing lubrication, circulation and mobility.
Janu Basti Helps restore balance to the Vata dosha by warm application of selected oils. As the oil penetrates deep into the knee joint, it promotes lubrication, circulation and nourishes the tissues.
Note: These practices are for guidance only and do not replace the guidance of yoga teachers, especially in the therapeutic field. Always consult your doctor and never exceed your capacity.
The author is a journalist, cancer survivor and certified yoga teacher. She can be contacted at [email protected].
