by Karthik Jayakumar, Yoga & Meditation Teacher, Ananda in the Himalayas
Mood disorders affect nearly every facet of a person's life, often stirring up a sense of hopeless withdrawal. In cases of bipolar disorder, the mood changes can be extreme, ranging from manic highs to depressive lows. Ananda's Yogis met an entrepreneur in a comparable state, who came seeking clarity and effective coping mechanisms. Immersed in high occupational stress and early signs of bipolar disorder, he was eager to adopt meditation through the
Dhyana Meditation Programme to avoid another burn out.
Burdened by responsibilities of family inheritance, the young man in his early twenties with a
pitta constitution, turned to yoga with a plethora of questions about life and its purpose. Yogic philosophy believes mood disorders have the potential of pushing the
svabhava or true nature of the self to a
tamasic state of existence, the attribute or tendency dominated by ‘darkness’.
The constant battle with negative thoughts and low self-esteem further compounds these challenges, making it hard for individuals to see a way out of their condition. The guest’s slouching spine, stiff ankles, calves and hamstrings, drooping shoulders, and a forward-tilted head were evidence of the
tamasic darkness in his inner world.
The Wellness Journey
Karthik Jayakumar, lead Yoga Consultant for the guest, said, “We took a comprehensive approach to the client’s mental burden by addressing body, breath and mind collectively. Physical and nervous tensions were handled by asanas like Pawanmuktasana series, palm tree pose or tadasana and Marjari (cat pose) targeting spinal and joint stiffness. The extensive use of yoga nidra or psychic sleep started to uproot suppressed patterns trapped in the nerve pathways, promoting clarity and paving the way for meditative practices."
"Aware of the client’s past traumas, the guest and I spent long hours in ‘walking meditation’ across the sprawling lawns of Ananda. In addressing the guest's dilemma about life's purpose, the conversations on yogic philosophy broadened his acceptance to the concept of subtler bodies or koshas. These discourses carved a path for a seamless progression to advanced practices like chidakasha dharna and yogic cleansing techniques like kunjal kriya and jal neti.”
Kunjal kriya is a water-based therapy that expels toxins stored in the upper digestive tract and abdominal cavity, through induced vomiting. Initially apprehensive, the guest expressed surprise at the sense of mental lightness he felt as an outcome. Kunjal kriya worked as an experiential correlation between the mind and body that deepened the client’s conviction. He willingly accepted an intense reflection into his personality through Review of the Day (yogic journaling) and SWAN meditation, an acronym for Strength, Weaknesses, Ambitions and Needs.
The openness felt in the mind reflects ease and flexibility in the body. Diligent and accepting of a yogic diet along with relaxing Ayurvedic treatments through a 14-day journey, the guest’s body felt ready for
Surya Namaskar to improve joint flexibility, mental stamina and regain endocrinal homeostasis. Advance
asana practices like
dwikonasana (standing seal pose) and
chakrasana (wheel pose) were introduced in his routine to enhance postural integrity.
The End Result
Mentally, yoga enhances emotional regulation and resilience helping individuals become more aware of their thoughts and feelings without judgment. This increased self-awareness can be crucial in managing the emotional swings associated with bipolar disorder. While practicing antar mauna (inner silence), the guest was taken aback by the hold of negative thoughts on his conscious responses. By developing the mental muscle to simply witness these negative patterns, he began to manage his response towards life.
The flexibility in his ankles, hamstrings and shoulders, along with a better health felt in his spine, encouraged the guest to align his exercise routine to the practices which were responsible for the positive changes. He also felt that integrating pranic and mental awareness to movement had shifted his perspective on how he viewed movement and health. The guest expressed gratitude and credited SWAN meditation for helping him understand his weakness and recognize his strengths.
Increased flexibility in his ankles and hamstrings, improved spinal alignment, and open shoulders motivated the guest to adapt his exercise routine to the practices that led to these improvements .
At the end of the programme, Karthik concludes, “The young entrepreneur understood that the ability to rest is a constructive and methodical form of learning. He credited this approach to various visualizations aimed at addressing his emotional blockages and past traumas, supported by biofeedback evidence that led to profound experiences of mental serenity and physical relaxation. Following this, he incorporated practices such as mantra chanting, walking meditation, and Antar Mouna to reduce distractions and cultivate an observational stance towards the constant flux of life.”
The onset of COVID led to a 25% increase in mood-related disorders, as per WHO. The successful treatment of bipolar disorder and other mood disorders through yoga for an individual demonstrates the ancient practice's less recognized capabilities in a society that often views it merely as physical exercise. Mood disorders are increasingly prevalent, and the application of time-honoured wisdom can effectively manage symptoms such as restlessness, anxiety, and excessive ambition for power and possessions, significantly enhancing life quality for those affected by mood disorders.