Before we start our article for the day, OMG Yoga Singapore would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year! May each and everyone of you have a blessed 2013 ahead! We are all aware that yoga has many benefits to offer. However, researchers at the Dev Sanskriti University recently discovered that the ancient practice still has more to offer. Apparently, yoga is capable of dealing with psychological disorders.
A total of 60 patients suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) were chosen by these researchers to participate in a combination of yoga, pranayam, recitation of Gayatri Mantra and herbal medicines. The 60 participants were equally divided into males and females, with each having 45 individual sessions of therapeutic interventions of holistic approach. Each of the sessions lasted for 60 minutes, 10 minutes of pranayam, 10 minutes of Gayatri Mantra and 20 minutes of yoga. Although it is possible for medications to treat anxiety disorders as well, the disadvantage is that the relapse rate was very high. The “holistic approach produced significant reduction in the level of OCD”, said the research paper.
“The combination of these specific techniques has collective effect on the patients and causes significant reduction in the symptoms of OCD. Thus, the holistic approach can provide a new strategy for management of OCD. The findings are an important exploration with wide scope for further research and applications,” the university mentioned. Aside from causing relapse, the paper also noted that some medicines in the market can actually “cause many side effects”. Furthermore, approximately 90 per cent of patients will suffer a relapse if they stop taking the medication. This is also the reason why a new holistic approach was developed. They hope that with such an approach, patients will be able to have maximum relief. “The holistic approach is based on the principle of psychology, yoga and ayurveda (besides Gayatri Mantra recitation),” the journal said.
Based on the researchers’ studies, psychological disorder is extremely complex. At the same time, it is not easy to comprehend and diagnose until it actually manifests itself in behaviour. Although OCD is rather common and often chronic, it is still one of the least understood, least diagnosed, and most disabling of all anxiety disorders. Studies show that the worldwide prevalence of OCD is two percent of the general population and that it usually occurs in adolescence or in early adulthood. For more of the story, you can read it here.
If you are looking for yoga classes in Singapore, then do check out the lessons we have to offer. OMG Yoga offers both Private Yoga Classes and Group Yoga Classes to meet your needs.