How to Treat Obsessive Compulsive Disorder With Yoga

Approximately one in 40 people in the world will experience the symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder at some point in their lives. This makes it one of the most common anxiety disorders in the world. There are many avenues to treating it. Medications, herbal remedies and psychological counseling are among the most widely used methods to treat obsessive compulsive disorder. One of the lesser known, yet highly effective, methods of treatment is yoga. A specific branch of yoga, called Jnana yoga, deals specifically with the mind and emotions and is an especially good choice if you want to treat obsessive compulsive disorder successfully.

Instructions

1. Find a quiet, peaceful place to practice where you will not be disturbed.

2. Sit upright with your hands in your lap and your feet firmly on the floor, uncrossed. Think about your obsessions and let the feelings of anxiety regarding them float into your mind. Do not shrink from these feelings, but meet them with an attitude of compassion and understanding.

3. Relax your body as you meet your feelings of anxiety, consciously telling each part of your body to relax as you feel it begin to tense up. Focus on relaxing the muscles anywhere that feels tense.

4. Tell yourself that you are not your thoughts, that the obsessions are outside of you and not part of who you are. Do not try to alter the obsessions in any way, just recognize them for what they are as they come into your mind.

5. Shift your focus to your inner self and find a place within you that feels calm. Rest your attention in the center of calmness for several minutes, until the feeling of calm permeates your whole body.

6. Practice this for 10 to 15 minutes at a time, three to four times a day until obsessive compulsive disorder is no longer a problem for you. This may take months for some people and a year or more for others. The key to success is being patient and consistent in your practice.

Tips & Warnings

• You do not have to get into the lotus position (tightly winding your legs together in a sitting position) while performing Jnana yoga. In fact, physical contortion of any kind is not necessary. There are several schools of yoga, and only the ones that focus on physical health require bending and twisting. The methods that focus on mental or spiritual fitness, such as Jnana, only require a willingness and ability to sit still for long periods of time.

• Make sure you find comfortable seating with good lumbar support when you practice Jnana yoga to treat obsessive compulsive disorder.