Yoga and iridology are the perfect tools to help maintain balance and support vitality and longevity.
Iridology and Yoga have a long history when it comes to complementary and preventative medicine. The tradition of Yoga is over 5,000 years old, when yoga was a way of life, and iridology dates back to the 1600’s when a physician first categorised iris markings in accordance to body organs and health conditions.
Iridology signs support a holistic approach to wellbeing, along with body signs and symptoms, live blood analysis, pathology testing, genetic profile (DNA) and familiar health history. The art of Iridology has evolved over time, just like our food, the environment and our lifestyle, all of which play a role in one’s health, positively or negatively.
The iris is often said to be the ‘window to the soul’, iridologist believe it to also be the ‘mirror to the body’ reflecting a variety of genetic hand-me-downs, accumulation markers and structural changes that may indicate a genetic predisposition to various conditions, or a reflection of what has manifested during an individual’s lifetime.
An Iridology consultation involves the analysis of the geometrical features of the iris, the tissue structure such as straight or wavy fibres, and how close they are positioned is taken into consideration, along with any coloured accumulation in the aquas region in front of the iris structure. The iris matrix is evaluated according to the depth and type of the tissue fibre, the colour of the psoras spots (white, yellow, orange, brown), coinciding body signs and symptoms, along with familiar and the individual’s health history.
Today’s modern science has evolved where the iris matrix can be evaluated with a computer aided system that takes a digital image and algorithms to analyse health conditions such as kidney function by noting irregularities of the pigmentation in the iris. This technology is said to be similar to blood test results of kidney function [1]. When these iris signs are seen and blood tests confirm poor kidney function, dietary changes are recommended along with nutrients and herbs. Yin style yoga is the perfect complementary therapy for Yin deficiency conditions such as sub-optimal kidney function. Restorative practices that bring in balance the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system to allow the body to heal.
Gastro-intestinal (GI) conditions are very common today with the development of genetically modified food, chemical exposure, and high stress levels. The iris has been utilised to assess the early detection of gastrointestinal disease, through a computer aided diagnosis system and algorithms [2]. Traditionally GI conditions are also visible in the iris in the surrounding regions of the pupil and the autonomic-nerve-wreath (ANW). GI signs may include colour variations and changes to tissue structure, possibly indicating high/low hydrochloric acid, fermentation, bloating, distention, inflammation, poor digestive function and reduced nutrient absorption, among others.
Yoga principles and practices support digestive health through breathing techniques that promote digestive fire ‘agni’ and postures ‘asanas’ to encourage bodily waste removal, thereby reducing stagnation and the possibility of recirculating toxins (entero-hepatic-recycling). Holotropic breathing techniques help to release the vagus nerve to promote parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS) which promotes digestion and good gut health.
Iridology signs may also indicate areas of lymphatic congestion in the out regions of the iris.
Body signs include: oedema, fluid retention, raised lymph nodes, sinusitis or upper respiratory congestion, increased metabolic waste (uric acid) and joint inflammation. Yoga is the perfect tool to release the fascia, it takes a minimum of 2 minutes for the fascial fibres to release. During a Yin yoga class asanas are engaged in a passive form allowing the body to unravel areas of tightness, promoting blood flow and nutrients along with waste removal by releasing fascia.
Stress plays a huge role in today’s health, contributing to mental and physiological health conditions. Traditionally iridology has a variety of indicating markers in the nervous system, representing conditions such as neuro-excitatory, anxiety, depression, inflammation, brain fog etc. Sleep is often affected when one is stressed, either as poor onset ‘wired but tired’, frequently waking throughout the night, or feeling unrefreshed upon waking.
A regular yoga practice can help reset the body’s circadian rhythm and breathing practices such as alternate nostril breathing ‘nadi shodhana’ to balance the nervous system. The traditional practice of Yoga Nidra ‘sleep yoga’ is a systematic body release technique that consciously relaxes every part of the body. It is said that a 45-minute yoga nidra is equivalent to 4 hours deep sleep.
Adopting a preventative approach to your health care is the ultimate tool in maintaining vitality and longevity. Here at Gaia your naturopath can assist you with iridology, live blood analysis, review of pathology testing, tissue mineral analysis (heavy metals), DNA nutrigenomics, dietary solutions, nutritional and herbal medicine. Along with daily complementary therapies such as yoga and specialty one-on-one breath classes to help support your wellness journey.
We look forward to seeing you throughout your next stay with us here at Gaia.
Tracy, Gaia’s Naturopathy Team
[1] Muzamil.S, Hussain.T, Haider.A, Waraich.U, Ashiq.U and Ayguade.E, 2020, An intelligent Iris Based Chronic Kidney Identification System, Symmetry. dio.10.3390
[2] E.V. Carrera & J. Maya, 2019, Computer aided diagnosis of gastrointestinal disease based on iridology, Ecuador