7/27/2019 ROLE OF YOGA IN GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS
1/21
ROLE OF YOGA IN GERIATRIC
PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERSYogacharya
Dr ANANDA BALAYOGI BHAVANANIMBBS, ADY, DSM, DPC, PGDFH, PGDY, FIAY, MD (AM)
Deputy Director,
Centre for Yoga Therapy, Education & Research,(CYTER),MGMC&RI, Puducherry, South India.
Email: [email protected]
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]7/27/2019 ROLE OF YOGA IN GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS
2/21
A nervous breakdown is actually an
opportunity for a spiritualbreakthrough if we can realise the
positive implications in our moment
of despair and dejection
-
YogamaharishiDr Swami Gitananda Giri
Guru Maharaj
7/27/2019 ROLE OF YOGA IN GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS
3/21
Introduction
Yoga: primarily a Moksha Shastra Restores homeostatic balance
Good health is a by-product of Yogic life
Preventive, adjunct & restorative capabilities Yogic concept of Positive Health a unique
contribution to modern healthcare
Geriatric psychiatry: mental disorders in elderly
Chronic and seemingly never ending
Requires care, compassion, patience & empathy
7/27/2019 ROLE OF YOGA IN GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS
4/21
Geriatric Psychiatric Disorders
Dementia
Depression
Delirium
Psychosis
Anxiety
Substance abuse
Sleep disorders
Cognitive impairment
Behavioural disturbances
Lack of suitable physical activity & stimulation are
common problems in geriatric psychiatry
- Dr Karel Nespor, Czech psychiatrist (1993)
7/27/2019 ROLE OF YOGA IN GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS
5/21
Role of Various Facets of Yoga
Wholistic approach of Yoga
Bahiranga practices - physical health
Antaranga practices - mental health
Becoming one with the breath
Shifting from individuality to universality
Kriya Yoga of Maharishi Patanjali
Simple Yogic techniques for elderly
7/27/2019 ROLE OF YOGA IN GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS
6/21
Becoming One with the Breath
Synchronization of body movement and breathproduces psychosomatic harmony
Bhastrika strengthens solar plexus improvedstamina, endurance and internal cleansing
Kapalbhathi, Surya Nadi and Ujjayi - break out ofdepression through activation
Bandha Trayam /Aswini Mudra - revitalize psycho-neuro-endocrine axis & induce sense ofwellbeing
Pranava and Bhramari Pranayama create innerharmony / mental calmness- inherent regenerativeprocesses are brought into play.
7/27/2019 ROLE OF YOGA IN GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS
7/21
Shifting from Individuality
to Universality
Yoga emphasizes the Universal, wider perspective
The ego only runs into the blank wall of depressionand despair, overwhelmed by its own superficiality.
Yoga helps us to shift from I-centric to WE-centricapproach
The striving spirit which looks within at the universalaspect of its own nature and sees the oneness of the
whole of creation will find an endless fountain ofinspiration and joy.
7/27/2019 ROLE OF YOGA IN GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS
8/21
Wholistic Approach of Yoga
Everything is important
Use of early morning sunlight
Use of water for internal & external cleansing
Careful attention to aspects of diet & hydration Need for balance between exertion &relaxation
Yogic counseling - a workingphilosophy in boththe face of triumph & defeat.
Increased self-awareness sensitizes us to our ownbio-rhythms (physical, mental and emotionalcycles).
7/27/2019 ROLE OF YOGA IN GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS
9/21
Kriya Yoga of Maharishi Patanjali
Tapa as disciplined facing of challenges
Swadhyaya as introspectional self-analysis
Ishwara Pranidhana as doing ones best and
leaving the rest Adoption of a healthy Yogic lifestyle with
cultivation of Karma, Bhakti and Raja Yogaprinciples in daily life helps create a sense of
inner happiness. Reduces friction that tends to build up in
families during the senior years.
7/27/2019 ROLE OF YOGA IN GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS
10/21
Simple Yogic Techniques
For The Elderly
Gentle stretching and strengthening practices
Breath-body coordination to restore psycho-somaticharmony
Gentle Hatha Yoga Kriya-s helps facilitatepsychosomatic balance: Chatus Pada, Ardha KatiChakra, Pawan Mukta, Chri, Sethu and VyagrahaPranayama
Potential activation of Thymus through- Vakra &Bharadwaja / Paryanka Asana with Hastha Mudras
Brahma Mudra when done with the breathsequences and appropriate nada
7/27/2019 ROLE OF YOGA IN GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS
11/21
Partner Work:
Betterment of physical, emotional & mentalhealth.
Helping push a bit more in forward bending,
Supporting the partner in back bending,
Helping improve range of joint movement
and Giving isometric resistance to movement thus
improving strength of the musculature.
Pranayama: important link between body,emotions and mind: Vibhaga, Pranava, NadiShuddhi, Bhramari& Chandra Nadi Pranayama
7/27/2019 ROLE OF YOGA IN GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS
12/21
Dharana and Dhyana: Brumadhya Drishti Tratakaand Prana Kriya to activateAjna Chakra
Mandala & Chakra Dharana / Dhyana on Anahathato activate Thymus and on Ajna to normalize neuro-endocrine axis.
Om Japa andAjapa Japamental calm
Yoga relaxation: Shavasana with Savitri Pranayama,Spanda - Nishpanda Kriya, Kaya Kriya, Tala Kriya andYoga Nidra
The relaxed state is the state in which healing,
regeneration and recuperation can occur. This state of relaxation is vital to maximize our
inherent healing potential - restore normalcy at thephysical, emotional and mental levels.
7/27/2019 ROLE OF YOGA IN GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS
13/21
Studies on Yoga and Psychiatry
Yoga may be a useful to reduce stress during in-patient psychiatric treatment (Lavey R et al -2005)
Yoga produced improvement in various psycho-physiological parameters in geriatric population
following 6 months integrated Yoga programme (NKManjunath 2005-06)
He also reported improved semantic, primary andworking short term memory as well as episodic
memory. Depression scores and self rated quality of sleep
showed improvement
Interestingly wait list control group showeddeterioration in different aspects of functioning.
7/27/2019 ROLE OF YOGA IN GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS
14/21
Karel Nespor (1993) has suggested that gentle jointexercise and relaxation are well accepted by patientsand are found to be beneficial.
Yogic relaxation & meditation relieve stress, anxietyand depression.
Provides a safer social network
Increased self awareness & self control opposes the
feeling of helplessness often found in patients ofabuse these problems.
Reduced use of addictive analgesics - provides asafer, non-pharmacological management of
psychosomatic problems such as insomnia,headaches & general bodily pain.
Yoga enables those coming out of substance abuse toovercome stress of early abstinence after thewithdrawal symptoms.
7/27/2019 ROLE OF YOGA IN GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS
15/21
Yoga, a promising intervention for depression, cost -effective & easy to implement (Shapiro D et al 2007) .
Many beneficial emotional, psychological and
biological effects, as supported by significantreductions in depression, anger, anxiety, neuroticsymptoms and low frequency HRV withimprovement in mood.
11 of 17 patients who completed the programmeachieved remission levels.
Studies by Sharma VK et al (2006) & KrishnamurthyMN and Telles S (2007) have shown efficacy of Yogain managing depression.
Extensive work on Sudarshan Kriya Yoga anddepression at NIMHANS. SKY recommended as apotential alternative to drugs in melancholia as afirst line treatment.
7/27/2019 ROLE OF YOGA IN GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS
16/21
Sharma VK (2006) demonstrated improvement inexecutive functions (information manipulation inverbal working memory & improved attention span
& visuo-motor speed of depressives. Krishnamurthy MN and Telles S (2007) reported that
an integrated approach of Yoga was useful forinstitutionalized older persons.
MOA of Yoga increased GABA levels? -Streeter CCet al (2007)
Streeter CC and colleagues (2010) recently alsoreported greater improvement in mood and anxietywith Yoga as compared to a metabolically matchedwalking exercise programme.
This is 1st time (?) a behavioral intervention (Yoga)has been associated with +ve correlation betweenacute increases in thalamic GABA levels &
improvement in mood & anxiety scales.
7/27/2019 ROLE OF YOGA IN GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS
17/21
Caring For The Caregiver
Dementia caregivers spend much more time on caregiving than in other illnesses.
Great physical, mental, emotional and economicalstrain - reduced rest and recreation.
Feelings of anger, resentment, guilt, andhopelessness ----- Depression
Fountainhead of Yogic philosophy: Karma, Dharma,Shraddha, Veerya & Seva develops inner strength
that carries both towards a better state ofbeing. Yoga-meditation programme may be a feasible &
effective intervention for family caregivers and mayimprove affect, coping, physical well-being, andstress management (Waelde LC 2004) .
7/27/2019 ROLE OF YOGA IN GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS
18/21
Practical Issues in Integrating
Yoga With Psychiatry
Compliance of the patients
Social and family support
Attitudes of the treating doctors
Tendency of the patients to overexert
themselves
Lack of competent Yoga therapists andstandard Yoga therapy protocols
7/27/2019 ROLE OF YOGA IN GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS
19/21
Conclusion
Yoga as a way of life is a panacea forpsychosomatic, stress related physical, emotionaland mental disorders
With the adoption of Yogic attitudes & lifestyle -old age becomes a time of variety, creativity, and
fulfillment. The Kriya Yoga of Maharishi Patanjali can help
our Silver Citizens develop and maintain a healthyand harmonious state of being during the
challenging twilight years of their life. Major challenges of dementia, depression and
substance abuse can be countered with the Yogicway ofrightliving and positive support groups
7/27/2019 ROLE OF YOGA IN GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS
20/21
Many who were in depressed despair before they
came to Yoga have now become beacon lights to
hundreds of their fellow humans A lighted lamp gives off more light when it shares
itself by giving to other lamps thus enlightening
the universe.
So also, these harmonious human beings are
spreading the Joy of Yoga all over the world and
in doing so fulfilling their destiny.
May we all grow old gracefully through Yoga, themother of all sciences.
7/27/2019 ROLE OF YOGA IN GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS
21/21