Panic Attacks (March 2006)

ORIGINAL QUESTION:

From Norbert AYTA October 2004

In one of my classes  I have a 40 year old woman  who is suffering from anxiety and panic-attacks.  It seems that she is dealing pretty well with it, because she is working as a  school -teacher. Does  anyone have experience, suggestions, resources, etc.  about teaching Ananda  Yoga to people who are suffering from these kind of disorders? It would be great if you could share your advise with me ! Thank you

ANSWERS:

From Gyandev

Dear Norbert,

Panic attacks could be called an extreme form of anxiety disorder. Anxiety can come on because of external events, internal worries, or very commonly, for no apparent reason at all. And in the extreme, they can make one totally non-functional.

People with more severe forms of anxiety disorder are often on medication, but in any case, Ananda Yoga is particularly well-suited to helping this person. (In my opinion, anyway -- for several years, I’ve taught a course called Yoga for Anxiety and Depression.) You should teach this woman Energization, so she can begin to control her energy. Especially helpful will be learning to bring her energy strongly to the spiritual eye. (Anxiety disorder is very much about brain function, so energizing the prefrontal lobes can be a great aid.)

Asanas, too, can be an aid to controlling energy, and the affirmations can be extremely important. Energetic asanas help one take charge of energy, but they should be done sparingly lest they agitate the individual and bring on anxiety. Relaxing asanas are generally more useful, especially when emphasis is given to the affirmations. Be sure to teach her how to do affirmations, because it will be much more effective that way. I can’t overstate the effect that the asana affirmations can have for these people. It can be huge.

Breathing techniques are also very helpful, especially with the “purification” emphasis: exhalations longer and/or stronger than inhalations. Even just diaphragmatic breathing done this way can help a lot. Chandra bheda or any “cooling” technique can also be useful. (Longer practice of the Full Yogic Breath can be too much for some anxiety sufferers, but in small doses it’s fine.) Be sure not to overdo the duration or intensity of the practice -- and especially don’t overdo breath retention or the length of inhalation/exhalation -- as that again can be agitating. It’s all about calming and cleansing the mind.

This is a very short answer on a topic with which I’ve worked quite a bit, but it should get you going.

From Jennifer Marlow  

Hi Norbert,

I am a teacher and I also have Panic Disorder. I know from experience that it is hard to describe, and get other people to understand, how frightening panic attacks are. I am appreciative of your concern for your student and your initiative to help her.

Panic attacks are often started or exacerbated by poor breathing. I would say that whatever breathing technique she get the most benefit from, she should use whenever she needs to. The counted measured breathing really, really helps. Lying flat on the floor is great if possible. Also, I will sometimes close my door when I do not have kids, turn the lights out, and meditate, focusing on my breathing. I told my aide about my condition, and she was very understanding.

I have to say that there are excellent medications now that will decrease or eliminate the symptoms entirely. I take them and they have improved the quality of my life 100%. They make my symptoms manageable. I had tried every naturopathic remedy, yoga, acupuncture, massage- none of these were enough on their own. Reassure her that if she needs to go to a doctor and be on medicine, it is okay... I think some of us are ashamed to take medicine, like it is a weakness of a lack of spiritual belief. Tell her she is not alone. I wish you both the best.