1. YOGA FOR EPILEPSY
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2. INTRODUCTION
 Epilepsies are a group of disorders characterized by chronic,
recurrent, paroxysmal changes in the neurological function
caused by abnormalities in electrical activity of the brain,
estimated to affect 0.5-2% of the population and can occur at
any age. Seizures are abnormal spontaneous discharges of the
brain neurons, may affect part focal or all general of the brain.
People with epilepsy have brain cells that create abnormal
electricity, causing seizures. In some cases, a seizure may
cause jerking, uncontrolled movements and loss of
consciousness. In other cases, seizures cause only a period of
confusion, a staring spell or muscle spasms. A single seizure is
not considered epilepsy.
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3. INTRODUCTION
 People with epilepsy have repeated episodes of seizures.
Just because someone has a seizure does not necessarily
mean that person has epilepsy, though.Seizures can be
triggered in anyone under certain conditions, such as life-
threatening dehydration or high temperature.
 Thus, the type of seizure determines the symptoms and
signs. The convulsive episode may be preceded by an aura
of a fit, hallucinations and a sense of déjà vu. Bladder and
bowel disturbances may occur during a seizure.
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4. INTRODUCTION
After the seizure subsides, the patient may be in a state of
confusion, which may last as long as a day or more.
During this period, the patient may have some transient
neurological deficit which disappears within a day or so.
But when a person experiences repeated seizures for no
obvious reason, that person is said to have epilepsy.
Many people develop epilepsy as children or teens. Others
develop it later in life. For some people with epilepsy
(particularly kids), the seizures eventually become less
frequent or disappear altogether.
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5. YOGA & EPILEPSY
Yoga can be of benefit to some people with epilepsy. It is said to
help people become balanced in mind and body and to aid
relaxation.
The ancient Indian practice and philosophy of yoga is
increasingly becoming a focal point of therapy and research
in treating epileptic seizure disorders.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that around
50 million people in the world have epilepsy. About 75 per
cent of these are with seizure disorders, and they hardly
receive any medical treatment. Yoga offers an ancient yet
amazingly modern approach to treating seizures.
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6. The ancient Indian texts, Vedas describe four types of
epilepsy and nine disorders causing convulsions in
children.
As therapy, the physical discipline of yoga seeks to re-
establish a balance (union) between those aspects of a
person’s health that cause seizures.
The "asanas" or "yogasanas" aid in restoring balance to the
body and its metabolic systems. Practicing asanas
increase physical stamina and calm the nervous system.
Asanas, used as a physical exercise alone, improve
circulation, respiration, and concentration while
decreasing the chances of having a seizure.
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YOGA & EPILEPSY

7. YOGA POSES FOR EPILEPSY
Meditation
 Meditation is also an important part of the Yoga exercises
to help prevent seizures. Stress can be a major trigger to
seizures. Meditation can improve blood flow to the brain,
slows stress hormones, and helps to increase the serotonin
which helps keep the nervous system calm.
Shoulderstand Pose
 The Shoulder Stand stimulates and rejuvenates your entire
body. In this exercise, you build up both power and a new
structure in your back and you relax tension in well-known
stress areas like the neck and the lower back. The muscles
of your lower back get stronger, the chest and shoulders
can move more freely and the back gets straighter.
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8. Headstand Pose
 The Sanskrit word sirsha means head. This posture is the well-known
headstand posture, and perhaps second only to the padma-asana or lotus
posture, is widely identified with the practice of Yoga. During the practice of
Yoga exercises, we not only relax the muscles but we also build up strength,
structure and stability in the right spots. In Head Stand, you build up power
and structure in both the neck and the upper back and at the same time; you
train your arm muscles and coordination.
Plough Pose
 A lot people complain about stiffness on the neck and lower back as a result
of stress and wrong posture. In the Plough Pose, you stretch the neck and
the lower back muscles. The Plough is also good for your digestion and it
strengthens the kidneys, the liver and the gall bladder.
Corpse Pose
 The Corpse Yoga Pose is considered as a classic relaxation Yoga Pose and is
practiced before or in between Asanas as well as a Final Relaxation. While it
looks deceptively simple, it is actually difficult to perform.
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YOGA & EPILEPSY

9. MATSYASANA
MATSYASANA
 This asana is very useful for persons
suffering from chronic cough,
bronchial asthma, congestion,
infected tonsils and other respiratory
disorders. Problems relating to
thyroid and para-thyroid glands can
also be overcome be done to derive
the full of Sarvangasana.it is
recommended that you breath while
holding it for between two and four
minutes.
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10. MATSYASANA
Steps
 Sit with your legs fully stretched out. Bend each leg at the knees and
place your feet on the other hip joint. Both the heels are adjusted in
such a way that each presses the adjacent portion of the abdomen. This
forms the foot-lock in a sitting position.
 Bend backwards and, exhaling, rest your weight on the elbows. Push
your neck backwards and slightly rise the hip upward thus making an
arch of the spine.
 Then, by making hooks of the forefingers, hold your toes on the
corresponding side without crossing your arms.This posture should be
maintained for some time with slow and deep breathing.
 For reverting to the original position, release the foot-lock and return
to the supine position by lowering the arch.
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11. SHAVASANA
The benefits of this asana are
truly endless. Nothing beats
a good bit of relaxation. Do
this asana anytime you feel
upset or blue. If it’s hard to
get out of bed in the
morning to face the day, use
this posture to give you a
little better perspective. If
you suffer from insomnia,
this is a perfect way to end
the day.
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12. SHAVASANA
Steps
 Lie on your back on the floor. Spread the arms out to a 45
degree angle from your sides. Let your legs drop open.
 Keep your head resting comfortably.
 Close your eyes and breathe deeply. Each breath should
expand both the chest and belly. Allow your entire body to
feel heavy and soft; literally try to relax into the floor.
 Mentally look for places where your body is tense. Should
you find tension, focus on that part of the body, tense it
and then release. Wiggle your fingers and toes to remove
any pressure or stress.
 Try to clear your mind. Continue to breathe deeply.
 Enjoy a conscious state of deep relaxation.
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13. SHIRHASANA
This asana is helpful in
cases of dyspepsia and
constipation. It improves
the functions of the
reproductive glands and
heart muscles and is of
great advantage in
checking wet dreams.
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14. SHIRHASANA
Steps
 Sit in a kneeling position with the buttocks resting on the heels of the
feet.
 Lean forward and place the forearms on the floor in front while
keeping the elbows about shoulder distance apart. Interlock the fingers
of both hands.
 Place the top of the head flat on the floor with the back of the head
pressed against the inside of the interlocked fingers.
 Placing the tips of the toes firmly on the floor while lifting the heels,
raise the knees off the floor.
 Hold for the duration of the held inhaled breath. When you can't hold
the breath comfortable any longer, slowly exhale and return the back to
the floor, slide the legs out straight returning to the shava-asana.
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15. PASCHIMOTTANASANA
Paschimottanasana is a fine
stretching exercise of the
body. In one continuous
movement, almost all the
posterior muscles get fully
stretched and relaxed. This
helps to improve the
functions of the abdominal
organs and sets right
respiratory disorders. It also
helps to improve memory.
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16. Steps
 This posture involves stretching of the posterior muscles of
the body.
 While sitting, stretch your legs forward and keep them
close to each other. Bend a little forward, make hooks of
your fingers and hold the big toes on the respective sides.
 While exhaling, bend forward stretching the trunk along
the thighs. Rest your on the knees, which should be kept
straight.
 Gradually, the tense muscles can be made supple for
securing the complete posture. Inhale and return to the
original position
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PASCHIMOTTANASANA

17. SARVANGASANA
It brightens the psychic faculties and
awakens Kundalini Sakti, removes all
sorts of diseases of intestine and
stomach, and augments the mental power.
It supplies a large quantity of blood to
the roots of spinal nerves. The muscles of
the abdomen, the rectic muscles and the
muscles of the thigh are also toned and
nourished well. Obesity or corpulence
and habitual chronic constipation,
Gulma, congestion and enlargement of
the liver and spleen are cured by this
Asana.
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18. Steps
 Lie on the back quite flat. Slowly raise the legs.
 Lift the trunk, hips, and legs quite vertically. Support the back with the
two hands, one on either side. Rest the elbows on the ground. Press the
chin against the chest.
 Allow the back-shoulder portion and neck to touch the ground closely.
Do not allow the body to shake or move to and fro. Keep the legs
straight.
 When the Asana is over, bring the legs down very, very slowly with
elegance and not with any jerks.
 In this Asana the whole weight of the body is thrown on the shoulders.
You really stand on the shoulders with the help and support of the
elbows.
 Retain the breath as long as you can do with comfort, and slowly exhale
through the nose.
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SARVANGASANA