Janu Basti helps to restore balance of Vata dosha through selected oils that are applied warm. (Getty)
Take a look at how Yoga’s ‘Sukshma Vyayam’ or subtle exercises and Ayurveda’s Janu Basti can get together to relieve arthritis pain
More for taking a break than for treatment, she decided to go and stay at a Yoga centre for some time.
After six days of therapy, her knee pain was substantially reduced. Three weeks later, she confirmed that the relief was continuing. “My knee pain is much less. Yoga therapy most definitely helped, and Ayurveda Janu Basti worked amazingly. There is a regular pain in rheumatoid arthritis, and there is an additional pain that comes with inflammation and swelling. Janu Basti removes the second pain in just two sittings,” she explained.
Janki had also taken physiotherapy for other joint pains, but found that though it was good for the duration of therapy, it didn’t give long-lasting relief.
The Yoga practices that were taught were loosening practices i.e. Sukshma Vyayam. She had tried practising Yoga after reading books and online articles, but was glad to have the Yoga therapist instruct exactly where to apply pressure and, importantly, how to breathe right. Coordinating breathing smoothly and scientifically with the movements played a crucial role in getting benefits, she feels. Exercise variations were customised with instructions such as “push calf muscles on the floor”, “now push the knees down”, and “push the thighs down”.
WHY YOGIC SUKSHMA VYAYAM WORKS BEST
When the knee joint has worn out, poses that place weight and stress on the joint are best avoided. Mild exercises are to be preferred. Further, the muscles supporting the joint need to be strengthened — thigh, calf and muscles surrounding the knee — through exercise and stretching.
Sukshma Vyayam includes effortless but subtle exercises for all joints, muscles, ligaments that increase circulation in and around the joints and aid their lubrication. Regular practice recharges the body and state of mind and can help control diseases of body systems. These are especially suitable when one cannot do Asanas because of health issues. *See box at the end for details of Sukshma Vyayam.
WHAT IS JANU BASTI?
‘Janu’ refers to knees and ‘Basti’ is to hold.
In Janu Basti, a ring made with wet black-gram flour (and sometimes plain flour) is placed around the knee. Then, warm, medicated oil is poured into the ring. Hot oil is repeatedly added at regular intervals to replace cooled oil. The oils used vary, depending on the Ayurvedic constitution and condition of the patient.
The procedure usually takes half an hour and is followed up with body massage (Abhyanga) and hot fomentation (Svedana).
WHY SUKSHMA VYAYAM, JANU BASTI WORK IN MONSOONS
As per Ayurveda, Vata dosha (air and space element in the body) is in excess in the monsoon season. Joints are a site of Vata as they have spaces. Vata affects movements and nervous system; the joints are also connected with nerve tissues.
Joint pain invariably means an excess of Vata. Sukshma Vyayam relieves Vata by enhancing Prana in joints, muscles, ligaments and tendons, and by strengthening muscles around the joints — thereby increasing lubrication, circulation, and mobility.
Janu Basti helps to restore balance of Vata dosha through selected oils that are applied warm. As the oil goes deep into the knee joint, it aids lubrication, circulation and nourishes the tissues.
Note: These practices are indicative and are in no way meant to substitute for guidance from Yoga teachers, especially for therapy. Always consult your physician, and never exceed your capacity.
The author is a journalist, cancer survivor and certified yoga teacher. She can be reached at swatikamal@gmail.com.