By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is also known as, “OCD.”  As many of you know, OCD is often classified an anxiety disorder, in which the person affected is plagued by unwanted, intrusive thoughts.  Yoga is designed to help reduce anxiety and stressful thoughts.

It should also be known that, when someone has OCD, visiting a doctor, therapist, or counselor is a step that should be taken.  The time spent receiving professional counseling, and a plan of action, will be beneficial to the person, who suffers from OCD, and to their family members.

Below is a Yogic approach to lower the anxiety levels associated with OCD.  The results of Yoga practice are a reflection of the time spent practicing.  Usually, people take medication once a day, but practice Yoga less often.  If one practices Yoga once per day, one can expect to feel positive results.

1. Asana (Yoga posture) practice is an extremely popular form of physical exercise.  As Hatha Yoga and its many sub-styles have grown globally, asana practice benefits have become widely known.  The type of movement can be adjusted to meet the age and fitness level of the participant.

Younger people can perform flowing movement, which causes the body to stretch and strengthen.  Extreme forms of balance and muscle control help purge the body from tension, which can be caused by stress and anxiety.  At the same time, Yoga practice can be modified to help a person who is in a wheelchair.

2. Mantra is sometimes forgotten, but let’s look at one purpose of mantra.  If you close your eyes, close your ears, and make a sound, what are you thinking about?  You can only think about the sound.  This is an effective method for training the mind.

Mantra and pranayama (Yogic breathing) can be combined for maximum results.  Initial suggestions, for working with mantra, are classic pranayama techniques such as: Udgeeth (Omkar japa) and Brahmari (bumble bee breath).

3. Meditation allows an OCD sufferer to train the mind to recognize unwanted, intrusive thoughts.  To see the true value of an unwanted thought is to see it as insignificant.  The mind processes many insignificant thoughts throughout the average day.  Meditation teaches us to focus on reality.

There are many forms of meditation.  One of the easiest to learn is breath awareness meditation.  New students find it much easier to focus on their breath because it is the first thing they notice when they begin to sit still.

4. Yogic Relaxation techniques, such as: Stage-by stage relaxation, body scanning, relaxation through visualization, and Laughter Yoga are extremely useful for lowering stress levels and controlling anxiety.  The choice of which relaxation technique to use is entirely up to the individual.

For example:  Although Laughter Yoga may be very effective, some people may feel uncomfortable with it.  In this case, it would be best to choose a relaxation technique that suits the personality.

© Copyright 2009 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

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