"Having studied
yoga for 20 years, I can attest to the benefits of frequent and earnest
practice, both as exercise, study and meditation. Setting aside a
few minutes a day is a good habit and as you realize the benefits
you can increase the time spend therein." ~ ANNA
The
ancient Indian practice and philosophy of yoga is increasingly becoming a focal
point of therapy and research in treating epileptic seizure disorders. The World
Health Organization (WHO) estimates that around 50 million people in the world
have epilepsy. About 75 per cent of these are with seizure disorders, and they
hardly receive any medical treatment.
Yoga offers an
ancient yet amazingly modern approach to treating seizures. The ancient Indian
texts, Vedas describe four types of epilepsy
and nine disorders causing convulsions in children. As therapy, the physical
discipline of yoga seeks to re-establish a balance (union) between those aspects
of a person's health that cause seizures.
Many
Illnesses, One Common Symptom
Seizure disorder (or epilepsy) is one of the oldest recorded afflictions of
humankind. "Epilepsy" is a word used to describe many illnesses with
one common symptom — seizures that disrupt the normal activity of the central
nervous system. There are dozens of disorders, which may cause seizures. In
the language of Ayurveda, epilepsy is called "Apasmara,"
meaning loss of consciousness.
Yoga
Therapy for Seizures
Epileptologist Dr.
Nandan Yardi, head of the Yardi
Epilepsy Clinic, Kothrud, Pune, India, speaks of the "yogas,"
when writing about seizure disorders. He points out that seizures, like physical
diseases, result when there are imbalances in the various physical and psychological
systems (unions) of the body. Yoga is one of the oldest formal practices known
whose purpose is to restore this balance.
Pranayama
or Deep Diaphragmatic Breathing
As a person slips into a seizure state, s/he should reflexively catch and hold
their breath, as if startled or frightened. This causes changes in metabolism,
blood flow, and oxygen levels in the brain. The practice of pranayama, i.e.,
controlled deep diaphragmatic breathing helps restore normal respiration, which
can reduce the chances of going into a seizure or stop seizures before they
become full blown.
Asanas
or Postures
The "asanas" or "yogasanas" aid in restoring balance to
the body and its metabolic systems. Practicing asanas increase physical stamina
and calm the nervous system. Asanas, used as a physical exercise alone, improve
circulation, respiration, and concentration while decreasing the chances of
having a seizure.
Dhyana
or Meditation
Stress is a well-recognized trigger of seizure activity. "Dhyana"
or meditation soothes the mind as it heals the body. Meditation improves blood
flow to the brain and slows the production of stress hormones. Meditation also
increases the levels of neurotransmitters, like serotonin, which keep the body's
nervous system calm. Practicing relaxation techniques, such as yoga meditation,
is well known as a definitive aid in seizure control.
Research
into Yoga for Seizures
In 1996, The Indian Journal of Medical Research published the results
of a study on the effects of "Sahaja Yoga" practice on seizure control.
The study was not large enough to be considered conclusive. However, its results
were so promising, the study caught the attention of researchers in Europe and
the North America. In this study, a group of patients with epilepsy practicing
"Sahaja Yoga" for six months experienced an 86 per cent decrease in
their seizure frequency.
Research carried
out at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS, New Delhi) found
that meditation improved the brain wave activity of people with seizure disorders
leading to a reduction in seizures. In a similar study conducted in the United
States concluded that patients who learned to control their breathing had an
improvement in their seizure frequency. Dr. Steven Pacia is currently conducting
a study at
the New York University Comprehensive Epilepsy Center on the use of yoga to
decrease seizures in epileptic persons. The art and science of yoga is being
discovered anew as a valuable approach to exercise self-control of seizures.
Zoe
Langley is a graduate in Liberal Arts from the University of Redlands, California,
USA. She is a freelance writer, currently working on a book about learning
self-control of seizures. Zoe finds yoga practice invaluable for keeping
her seizure free.
Select Bibliography
• Deepak
KK, Manchanda SK, Maheshwari MC; "Meditation Improves Clinicoelectroencephalographic
measures in Drug-resistant Epileptics"; Biofeedback and Self-Regulation,
Vol. 19, No. 1, 1994, pp 25-40 •Usha Panjwani, W. Selvamurthy, S.H. Singh, H.L. Gupta, L.Thakur & U.C.
Rai; "Effect of Sahaja Yoga on Seizure Control and EEG Changes in Patients
of Epilepsy"; Indian Journal of Medical Research, 103, March 1996,
pp165-172 •Yardi, Nandan; "Yoga For the Control of Epilepsy"; Seizure
2001: 10: 7-12
Zoe
Langley is a graduate in Liberal Arts from the University of Redlands, California,
USA. She is a freelance writer, currently working on a book about learning
self-control of seizures. Zoe finds yoga practice invaluable for keeping
her seizure free. 
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