Kundalini yoga therapy gets thumbs up at world psychiatry conference

RAJKOT: The 21st World Congress of Psychiatry (WCP) organized by World Psychiatric Association (WPA) included Kundalini Yoga meditation and Shiva catharsis in its discussion for alternative treatment methods to cure mental health problems.
On Monday, Kutch-based doctor, Devjyoti Sharma, gave a virtual presentation on usefulness of psychotherapy in treating mental illnesses at the WCP organized from October 18 to 21. Earlier, even in the 20th version of WCP, organized in March (delayed because of Covid) yoga psychotherapy was discussed at length.

A global association, the WPA has 145 psychiatric societies of 121 countries comprising around 2.5 lakh psychiatrists associated with it.
While presenting his yoga theories, Dr Sharma explained that people who engage themselves in Shiv Tandav dance release pent-up emotions, anger and aggression and after relaxation, they can visualize the consequences of anger and start concentrating on peace through meditation.
The therapist implored doctors to encourage patients for psychodrama by playing the role of Lord Shiva and releasng their emotions by beating drums and dancing. “It reduces anger, aggression and frustration by relieving emotions and modifying dysfunctional thoughts and behaviour into meaningful functional thoughts,” Dr Sharma said.
Presenting Kundalini Yoga, where a person meditates on seven centres or Chakras, as an alternate treatment for mental illness, Dr Sharma said: “Certain body parts contain specific psychic centres, for which awareness is developed through meditating for removing blockage of psychic centres and releasing energy for healing.”
Dr Sharma compared well known American psychologist Abraham Maslow’s theory of hierarchy of needs with Kundalini yoga meditation’s Chakras. He further said that after meditation on the seven psychic centres, the person would become aware of his strength, weakness, opportunities and threats one by one which will, therefore, lead him to transform his weakness into strength.