Kundalini Yoga For Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders

1. Kundalini Yoga For Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s694KrlHVj0

2. Introduction • Kundalini is the creative energy of each soul. The energy of the Kundalini is released from the navel center. It rises to the crown chakra at the top of the head. The energy then descends down the chakras to the base of the spine. After reaching the root chakra it returns to the navel center. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPt_0y9yjyE

3. Risks and precautions of Practice • Headaches, heat, seizures, light-headedness, etc can be experienced during early Kundalini yoga practices. • Food should be avoided just prior to the “Spine flexing“ technique of this yoga. • If there is any unpleasant and feeling of lightheadedness develops, stop momentarily and then continue. • One should be careful and flex the spine slowly in the beginning. (Shannahoff-Khalsa, 2004)

4. Reliability and Validity • Two year-long clinical trials have been conducted to test the efficacy of Kundalini yoga meditation techniques for the treatment of OCD: • The pilot study: an open uncontrolled trial showed 5 of 8 patients completed a 12 mth trial with a mean improvement of 55.6%. • A randomized blinded controlled matched trial: showed Group 1 (Kundalini yoga) demonstrated greater and statistically significant improvements on the various scales of measurement. (Shannahoff-Khalsa, 2004)

5. Credentials of the researcher • The Researcher is a director of Research Group for Mind-Body Dynamics, Institute for Non-linear Science (Mail Code 0402), University of California. • He has written a lot of books about Kundalini yoga and about other alternative and complementary medicine. • Currently president of the Khalsa foundation for Medical Science and Honorary Associate of Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney. http://www.theinternetyogi.com/html/publications.html

6. Cultural or Historical Background • Origin of Kundalini Yoga: - Taught by Yogi Bhajan, a living master of Kundalini yoga, Hatha yoga, and White Tantric yoga. • In December 1968, Yogi Bhajan left India to come to the West to teach what he had learned and to explore and help implement novel treatment modalities for health care and the enhancement of life. • He has taught nearly 5000 different meditation techniques. (Shannahoff-Khalsa, 2004)

7. Common practices of Kundalini Yoga • For treating anxiety, fatigue, stimulating the immune system , developing a comprehensive and intuitive mind, and for regenerating the central nervous system. • First attempt treatment of individuals with OCD in an open non-placebo-controlled clinical trial. • In addition, later on techniques are used for treating addictive disorders, depression, grief, learning disorders, phobias, and sleep disorders. (Shannahoff-Khalsa, 2004), (Shannahoff-Khalsa, 2002)

8. What prevents implementation of the integrative practice? • Lack of diagnostic assessment according to standardized diagnostic criteria in previous studies and the widespread practice of studying nonclinical populations (e.g., college students) limit the applicability of research findings regarding the clinical effectiveness of meditation. (Kabat-Zinn et al., 1992)

9. Limitations of the practice • Limitations are depended upon the type of techniques used for specific purposes. • For illustration: In “Spine flexing for vitality” technique, one should begin the technique slowly while loosening up the spine. The technique of “Shoulder shrugs for vitality” should not be practiced by individual who are hyperactive. In “Technique for OCD”, to achieve the desired rate of respiration, it takes daily discipline for full 31 minutes for about 5-6 months. In meditation technique for dyslexia, efficiency will only increase with practice. (hence, consumes a lot of time) ((Shannahoff-Khalsa, 2004)

10. What populations are benefited? • Kundalini Yoga meditation techniques have been demonstrated to have a dramatically beneficial effect on obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD). • Specific techniques are specific for each psychiatric disorder. When medication only is not helpful, this Kundalini yoga as a complementary therapy can be proposed to the populations. For e.g. “Spine flexing and shoulder shrug” help increase metabolism; uplift the spirit, and induce the healthy glandular changes, thus help set the mood. (Shannahoff-Khalsa, 2002) • Useful for those seeking to utilize such approaches to treat ill-health and improve well-being and whose conditions have been refractory to other treatments. (Shannahoff-Khalsa, 2007)

11. Populations that should not use this practice • Those who do not believe in yoga practices and can not devote time for it, should not use this practice. • Despite those, again, there are specific populations who should not practice the specific technique because of its limitations. For e.g. “Shoulder shrugs” technique should not be practiced by individuals who are hyperactive. (Shannahoff-Khalsa, 2004)

12. Methods to implement this practice: • Careful reading and rereading of the descriptions to understand different techniques for various purposes. • Understand the limitations and populations who should use and who should not use this practice • To have powerful and beneficial effects, one requires ongoing systematic practice with commitment of time and a willingness to persevere. (Shannahoff-Khalsa, 2007)

13. Synthesis of the material • Kundalini yoga is one of the complementary and alternative therapies that integrates mind, body and spirit with a flow of Kundalini energy. • There are some limitations and precautions to be used in this practice that are specific to the specific treatment modalities. • Different techniques are used for different psychiatric disorders. Studies showed Kundalini Yoga meditation techniques have a dramatically beneficial effect on OCD.

14. References • Kabat-Zinn, J., Massion, A.O., Kristeller, J., Peterson, L.G., Fletcher, K.E., Pbert, L., et al. (1992). Effectiveness of a Meditation-Based Stress Reduction Program. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 149(7), 936.  Retrieved November 16, 2008, from ProQuest Nursing & Allied Health Source database. • Shannahoff-Khalsa, D. (2007, December). Book review. Kundalini Yoga Meditation: Techniques Specific for Psychiatric Disorders, Couples Therapy, and Personal Growth. Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine, 13(10), 1157-1158. Retrieved October 27, 2008, from CINAHL Plus with Full Text database. • Shannahoff-Khalsa, D. (2004, February). An introduction to Kundalini yoga meditation techniques that are specific for the treatment of psychiatric disorders. Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine, 10(1), 91-101. Retrieved October 27, 2008, from CINAHL Plus with Full Text database. • Shannahoff-Khalsa, D. (2002, May). Complementary healthcare practices. Stress management for gastrointestinal disorders: the use of Kundalini Yoga meditation techniques. Gastroenterology Nursing, 25(3), 126-129. Retrieved October 27, 2008, from CINAHL Plus with Full Text database.

15. Questions to ask? 1. Food should be avoided just prior to the “Spine flexing” technique of Kundalini yoga. a. True b. False 2. In which of the following did the studies show the most dramatically beneficial effect of Kundalini yoga? a. Phobia b. Dyslexia c. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) d. Sleep disorders 3. Who should not practice the “Shoulder shrugs” technique of Kundalini yoga? a. Individuals who are hyperactive b. Individuals who are calm and patient c. Individuals who can concentrate d. Individuals who can listen to the sound of the inhalation and exhalation.