Christine Burke

Introduction
HEALER: “A PERSON WHO HEALS; ESPECIALLY THROUGH FAITH”
Yoga is OLD—very old, roughly 6,000 years old—yet it is gaining popularity faster than you can say Namaste. This is because the themes and the practice of yoga are universal and timeless. Despite all the changes that have taken place over the centuries, whether magnificent or frightening, humanity has remained fundamentally the same. We long for connection and love, health and prosperity, peace and joy.
Yoga has a long list of benefits both physical and psychological. A yoga practice can improve posture, strengthen muscles, increase flexibility, lower blood pressure, decrease the likelihood of injury, improve lung capacity, relieve anxiety, lower stress levels, increase energy levels, and enhance mental clarity. The list goes on! Although the physical poses of yoga have gained the most attention in the West, they are but a rung on the ladder that leads to the ultimate and original goal of yoga, which is moksha or liberation. The definition of liberation is subject to many interpretations. For the purposes of this book, please consider what liberation means to you at this moment, and how it would positively affect your life to feel liberated.

We all have difficult moments, experience stress and loss, suffer temporary or chronic physical pain, and struggle with less than graceful moods at times. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to carry around a tool belt filled with everything you need to address the various conditions that arise in your body, mind, and spirit in the course of a regular day? And wouldn’t it be terrific if the remedy didn’t come with a list of side effects and wasn’t costly or time-consuming? And wouldn’t it be really fantastic if you could turn this day around in 15 minutes or less? If you say “yes,” this is where this book enters your life and makes it better. It is your companion and your guide.
Imagine that you could stop the momentum that has landed you with an aching back or stress headache, or has left you feeling disheartened and disappointed. Imagine that you could take your healing into your own hands right here and now. You can recover your equilibrium and start your energy moving toward wellness in a few moments. You can allow yourself to acknowledge your feelings and not become overwhelmed by them, creating more discord and conflict. This is the beauty of yoga. You can literally practice a breathing technique or short series of poses and get moving in the direction of feeling better right away—and I will show you how in this book.
Hatha yoga is often defined as an art and a science. The science is that we practice certain poses (asanas), breath practices (pranayama), and the quietening of the chatter of the mind (meditation) in a way that produces proven benefits. The art is our personal expression, the way we use the tools that yoga provides. Many painters use a brush and yet no two paintings are identical.