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