YOGA- the best gear for OCD patients

What is OCD?

• OCD stands for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. It stances to be one of the least understood, least diagnosed, often chronic, and most disabling anxiety disorder. OCD is likewise classified as a psychiatric disorder, in which the person commences to take these intrusive thoughts seriously, anxiety advances based upon the inflated internal fears apart from the reality.
• OCD is not about habits like biting your nails, an obsessive thought might be to wash your hands nine times after touching something that could be murky.

What are the signs/ symptoms of OCD?

• What are the signs/ symptoms of OCD?
• CHECKING: the locks or alarm systems for x times, just to be assured.
• PERCEPTION: thinking you have the various medical conditions, just by reading their symptoms.
• THOUGHT OF CONTAMINATION:
• Physical- jitters of the surrounding things might be dirty, or even having a compulsion to clean them.
• Mental- a feeling like you’ve been looked upon like dirt.
• SYMMETRY/ ORDERING: being clear- cut about things that should be lined up in a certain way.
• INTRUSIVE THOUGHTS: obsessive line of thought, such as vehement or vexing thoughts in mind.

What are the causes of OCD?

• Despite a myriad of research, the true causes of OCD have not been explored yet.

How can OCD be treated?

• Though there’s no antidote for OCD. But one may be able to manage how the symptoms affect one’s life through yogic therapy.

Aghast? Well happy chance, your eyes read correctly!

How can Yoga help with OCD?

• A recent study published in the ‘Interdisciplinary International Journal’ by the Dev Sanskriti University in Haridwar, India found that a combo of yoga, pranayama, and chanting the Gayatri mantra could be a potent way to govern OCD symptoms.
• The holistic approach is based on the fundamental of psychology and yoga therapy.
• Yoga can aid the OCD patient to learn to recognize their obsessive thought patterns.
• Yoga asanas and relaxation techniques grant anxiety relief.

6 YOGA ASANAS to relax your mind and deal with OCD

Legs Up the Wall Pose- Viparita Karani

Place a block horizontally under your tailbone. Allow your weight to rest on the block and extend your legs to the sky. Close your eyes; try to calm your mind and body.

Reclining Bound Angle Pose- Supta Baddha Konasana

Lie flat on your back. Bring the soles of your feet together so that they touch. Bring your arms overhead and allow your right palm to rest in your left hand. Breathe deeply. Try to relax your entire body.

• Forward Fold Pose- Uttanasana

Stand up tall with your feet hips-width distance apart. Soften your knees and slowly fold forward. Bring your hands to opposite elbows; wobble side-to-side to release tension of your low back. Linger to soften your knees and slightly shift your weight forward. Slowly roll up to standing.

Sphinx Pose- Salamba Bhujangasana

Lie flat on your stomach. Place your elbows under your shoulders, then begin to lift your chest. Draw your shoulders down your back and press your forearms down. Look forward and allow your chin to drop slightly.

• Corpse Pose- Savasana

Lie flat on your back. Allow your feet to gently roll open. Flip your palms face up. Roll your shoulders down your back. Allow your body to be very heavy. Close your eyes. Try to relax your body and mind.

• Wide-Legged Forward Bend Pose- Prasarita Padottanasana

Stand up tall and walk your feet out wide. Turn your toes out slightly. Hinge at your hips and fold forward. Bring your hands to the mat directly under your shoulders.

Soften your knees in order to release your head and neck. Slowly roll up to standing position.

This holistic study adds to a growing body of research about yoga and mental health. Yogic methods teach one to train the mind. The veracity is: we all have angst and invasive speculations. Yoga therapy directs us to register and oust those intrusive thoughts.

Undoubtedly, I would say, ‘give it a whirl!’