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Message Board > Ask Our Expert > Yoga and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
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Yoga and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
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| jcaimi516 |
04/26/05 at 7:26am
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Joined: 03/13/10 |
Hello! I think I am suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It really makes life difficult! I was wondering if yoga can help me? Please, can you recommend me any special asanas and breathing tecniques? |
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| Jeneveve |
04/26/05 at 6:09pm
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Joined: 05/27/10 |
Hello! As you read this, take a moment to notice how you are breathing. Is it through the mouth or the nose? Where is the breath “landing” as you breathe in? How long does it stay there before you breathe out? How long does an exhalation take? Place the palm of your hand over the area into which you normally breathe. How would you describe the pattern of your breathing to a friend? Notice how you are sitting. What is your spine doing? Is it straight? Are your shoulder blades relaxed? Are your face muscles and eyes relaxed or are they tensed? How about your tongue – is it soft and relaxed? IMAGINE you have nothing to think about … but taking in one long, smooth, deep breath (through your nostrils) and following it all the way down … until your stomach feels like a balloon. And … nothing else to do … but to breathe out (through your nostrils) until the “balloon” slowly, smoothly deflates. Do it again. Do this any time, anywhere. Again and again. It will take some effort, but channel your mental energies into this deep abdominal breathing. This is where any amount of OCD can be a blessing: Be persistent HERE and let it occur repeatedly!! How we breathe changes how we feel and think. Your nervous system wants a vacation. Encouraging gentle, smooth, deep breath to flow in and out of the body is like taking our nerves to a health spa! If you enjoy reading, open the “Articles” window of this Site. Read “Yoga and the Breath,” by Doug Keller (pg. 1), “Beginners Mind,” by Susan Winter Ward (pg. 3), “Ten Fundamental Principals of Yoga,” by Doug Feuerstein (pg. 5). Let’s talk and breathe together soon again. I want to hear about your breathing progress. Then, we’ll move ahead with more recommendations for your new yoga practice. Namaste, Jeneveve Satya, CYI YLC Senior Instructor |
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| jcaimi516 |
04/29/05 at 6:41am
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Joined: 03/13/10 |
Thank you very much for the reply! The deep abdominal breathing helps me relax .. but it also makes me cry. Also I noticed that since I started practising yoga 2 or 3 weeks ago, I cry a lot. Is it normal? |
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| Jeneveve |
05/01/05 at 8:24am
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Joined: 05/27/10 |
I'm so glad you wrote back to share this. I don't know if this is helpful, but from personal experience, it seemed as though my tears would not stop falling upon my mat. I literally had to wring the thing out after each practice! I support and encourage tears when they fall during my classes. Many want to hide them or hold them in -- until they realize how essential the release and the emptying out is in order to bring back a sense of balance. If, however, the crying takes on a thriving life of its own, and deep sadness persists for no apparent reason -- one needs to take a "hard" look into the dark face of depression. Every time you breath with conscious intention (ie. the deep abdominal breathing as yoga practice) you are doing some exceedingly necessary releasing. My hope and wish for you is that you have someone you trust at your side (physically); someone who can help you move through it. We can help here to a degree, and will stand by and with you -- but the warmth of our hearts, hands and eyes can only be imagined (which is a significant part of Raja Yoga). Do you know of a FeldenkraisTM class offering nearby? Please look into it. FeldenkraisTM, a nurturing healing modality using movement and breath, could be a supportive bridge for you. Also, "The Sedona Method," which is available on tape or CD, might be of assistance. ( See website under same name.) Have you been watching streaming videos offered here on the YLC site? If so, please remember that -- right now -- EASE slowly into Hatha (physical postures). This is what your central nervous system wants. Its doesn't want nor need fast action or lots of heat. Simply observe, for instance, "Mia Taylor's Introduction to Yoga." Just sit comfortably, breath, watch, listen and feel. Swirl your hands on your wrists, stretch and wiggle your fingers; shake out "energetic residue" through your fingertips. Do the same with your feet, ankles and toes. Be creative. Write back. Until again. Namaste, Jeneveve |
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