YOGIC REHABILITATION IN NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS

Neurological disorders affect people throughout the world. It has a vast spectrum, consisting of parkinsonism, epilepsy, stroke, brain injury etc. Neurological disorders affect Physical, mental, emotional, vocational, and social dimension of health. According to recent research studies, Yogic exercise routine has been found to have a significant role in prevention of neurodegenerative disorders. Regular practice of yogasana helps in uplifting the person and improves his quality of life.

Importance of NEURO YOGA:

Rehabilitation in neurological disorders requires a holistic approach. The Yogic rehabilitation technique includes a series of Asanas designed for early brain recovery, repair of tissues and improved motor and cognitive functions. Yoga enhances blood flow to brain parts and provides proper stimulation. An enhanced quality of life is the goal to achieve. Rehabilitation with the help of yoga can create miracles in physical as well as mental and emotional wellbeing.

The neuroyoga rehabilitation package can include the following:

♦ Balance practices

♦ Strengthening yoga

♦ Meditation with deep relaxation

Regular, systematic yoga training can show magical results in neuromuscular coordination. All the below given yogasanas should be practiced under supervision.

♦ BALANCING YOGA:

Body balancing requires a great amount of neuromuscular coordination. Hence balancing yoga helps to stimulate the brain and help in a speedy recovery.

1. Vrkshasana

This asana plays a key role in all kinds of neurological rehabilitation.

Steps to perform:

Slowly raise your right leg and place the right foot near the left thigh, with toes touching the groin area. Then raise both hands above head and join hands to namaskara mudra. Stand erect in the posture. For beginners, vrkshasana balancing can be done for 5-10 seconds. Then with regular practice, timing can be improved. Same to be repeated on the left side.

2. Natarajasana

This is a complex asana which serves an important role in neurorehabilitation. It is a balancing back bending yoga pose.

Steps to perform:

Bend your right leg backwards and hold your toes with your right hand. Slowly raise the right leg upward and stretch the arm and leg away from the body. Keep the left arm straight in front of the chest region. Maintain the balance and hold the position for 10- 15 seconds.

3. Trikonasana

Regular practice of this asana makes this rehabilitation journey comfortable and easy.

Steps to perform:

Keep both feet maximum apart. Let both hands be extended at a horizontal level. Now slowly bend your body to the right side and hold your right ankle with your right hand. Keep the left hand extended straight above your head. Then twist your neck and look at the fingers of your left hand. Maintain the posture for a few seconds. Then repeat the same on the left side.

4. Sarvangasana

This asana, although tough to perform, can create wonders in neurological disorders. This asana can be performed in the post recovery phase as well as to prevent neurological disorders. In this upside down pose, improved blood circulation happens to the head and neck region.

Steps to perform:

Lie down straight in supine posture. Slowly raise both legs. Support your hip region with both hands. Then slowly bend your legs to a horizontal position. Then slowly raise your whole body with legs forming a straight line. Only the head and neck should touch the ground. Maintain the posture.

♦ UPPERLIMB STRENGTHENING YOGA:

1. Ardhashakati Chakrasana

This asana helps to strengthen the muscles of the upper limb and improve body posture.

Steps to perform:

Stand in tadasana pose. Slowly raise your right arm to horizontal level, further extending it above your head. The biceps should touch the ears. Then slowly bend the body to the left side. Maintain the posture.

2. Ardha Chakrasana (Half Wheel Posture)

This backward bending asana helps to strengthen the spine and make the body flexible. Steps to perform:

Stand in Tadasana pose. Slide both hands through your thighs and support the lower back region. Then gently bend backwards. Maintain the posture for a few seconds. Then slowly raise your body, release your hands and relax.

♦ LOWER LIMB STRENGTHENING YOGA:

1. Naukasana (Boat Yoga Pose)

This is an excellent asana to enhance neuromuscular coordination.

Steps to perform:

Lie down in supine position. Inhale and raise both legs from the ground, both hands extended straight at chest level. Then slowly bring down your arms and legs.

2. Setubandasana

This asana makes the body flexible and strengthens lower limb muscles.

Steps to perform:

Lie down on your back. Gently bend both knees and place your feet on the ground. Place your hands on the ground parallel to your body and try to hold your respective ankle. Then slowly lift your body off the ground. Inhale and lift chest region, pelvis and keep thighs parallel to each other. Maintain the posture for 10-20 seconds.

♦ Meditation with Deep Relaxation:

Emotional and mental wellness play a prime role in neurodegenerative rehabilitation. Regular meditation can create wonders in the emotional as well as mental dimension of health.

1. OM-Kara Meditation:

Select a calm and serene place for mediation. Sit in any meditative posture like padmasana or vajrasana. A person bedridden can do it lying down. Close your eyes. Relax your body parts. Concentrate on breathing. Slowly inhale (Try for a deep breath) and exhale through your mouth, chanting OMkara. One may do it for 7 rounds. The OMKara chanting results in a positive vibration throughout the body. This is a kind of neurological stimulation.

2. Imagery Meditation:

Any comfortable position can be adopted. Close your eyes and relax your body. One can Imagine any beautiful place/favorite object or anything that is close to one’s heart. Concentrate on the image. Observe the feelings that come to your mind. Try to feel the image using all your sense organs. When you feel like you are getting distracted, then slowly withdraw concentration.

Neurological disorders are often difficult to treat. But holistic approach by including Yoga, can bring significant results in prevention as well as disease phase and post recovery phase. In the prevention phase, regular and systematic yoga practice ensures better nerve conduction and improved cognitive function. Early neurological degeneration that happens in old age can also be prevented by yoga practice.

Yoga can heal a person completely. So, on this 9th international Yoga day, I wholeheartedly wish and pray that all our readers be healed physically, mentally and emotionally with the power of yoga.