インド五千年の智慧 : ヨーガ療法(シンポジウム : 東洋における心身医学療法,2007年,第48回日本心身医学会総会(福岡))  [in Japanese] Traditional Indian Wisdom over 5000 Years : Yoga Therapy(Symposium/Asian Psychosomatic Therapies)  [in Japanese]

日本全国で数十万人と推定されるヨーガ実習者の実習動機は健康促進や病気予防である.インド五千年の歴史をもつ伝統的ヨーガであるが,この伝統的ヨーガを1920年代から科学的に研究しはじめたのは,インド・マハラシトラ州ロナワラ市にあるカイヴァルヤダーマ・ヨーガ研究所である.インド中央政府もこれを支援し,同研究所には1950年には大学も併設されて,各種医療施設で活躍するヨーガ療法士を輩出してきている.わが国においては日本ヴィヴェーカナンダ・ヨーガ・ケンドラが,1988年からインド・バンガロール市のヴィヴェーカナンダ・ヨーガ研究財団と提携して全国のヨーガ教師に3年(180時間)過程のヨーガ療法専門教育を施し,2003年には日本ヨーガ療法学会も設立されている.このヨーガ研究財団付属の教育部門はインド中央政府の人的資源省(Ministry of Human Resource Development)の認定を受け,2003年にはヨーガ単科大学院大学となり,気管支喘息や糖尿病,関節リウマチなどに対するヨーガ療法指導効果などの医学研究やヨーガ療法士育成に携わっている.古来ヨーガでは人間を五つの異なる鞘をもつ存在ととらえ(人間五蔵説),それら五蔵を真の自己と誤解する無智さが病因と考えられ,ヨーガ療法でも真の自己認知に導くのが完全な健康実現法と考えている.この説に基づいて造られたヨーガ療法の技法について概説したい.

This paper introduces a brief history of Yoga therapy in Japan, along with an explanation of the five layers theory of our existence and the eight-fold approach to yoga exercises. Currently, the number of Yoga practitioners in Japan is estimated to be hundreds of thousands. The main motivation of people who practice Yoga is to promote good health and prevent illness. The benefits of traditional Yoga have been scientifically examined by the Kaivalyadhama Yoga Research Institute since the 1920's. The Kaivalyadhama Institute is located in Lonavla city, in the state of Maharashtra, India. The Central government of India has supported this scientific movement, and a Yoga college was established in 1950 as part of the Institute. The college has given skills and knowledge to many talented Yoga therapists who currently work at various medical facilities throughout India. A post graduate college, established by the Swami Vivekananda Yoga Research Foundation (sVYASA), was approved by India's Ministry of Human Resource Development in 2003. The college has researched the medical effects of yoga on chronic bronchial asthma, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis among other medical conditions. The Japan Yoga Therapy Society was established in 2003. The society, through cooperation with the sVYASA, educates yoga teachers about therapy theory and techniques during a three-year program, with 180 hours of instruction. In ancient yoga belief, the human being is understood as five layers of existence. The main cause of disease is the ignorance and misunderstanding of our real existence. Yoga therapy improves health through the recognition of our real existence. Yoga has eight practices: self-restraints, fixed observances, posture, regulation of breath, abstraction, concentration, contemplation and trance. These techniques guide us to realization of our true existence, through what is known as recognition therapy.