Seizures: Can Yoga Help?

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that around 50 million people in the world have seizure disorders. Statistics suggest that as many as 1 in 200 of those are children of secondary school age .
Seizure disorder (or epilepsy) is one of the oldest conditions known to us. In the language of yoga/Ayurveda epilepsy is called "apasmara," meaning "loss of consciousness" In energy & Chinese medicine,  it is believed that the person having the seizure is manifesting an emotional response to a trauma, either known or unknown & is attempting to "escape" either the self, the family or the memory of the trauma.

"Epilepsy" is the word modern medicine uses to describe many different illnesses with one common symptom: seizures that disrupt the normal operation of the brain & central nervous system. As therapeutic activity, the discipline of yoga seeks to re-establish & strengthen the balance (union) between all aspects of a person's physical, mental & emotional health that is causing the seizures.

In 1996, The Indian Journal of Medical Research published the results of a study on the effects yoga practice on seizure control. The study was not large enough to be conclusive but the results were promising. In this study, a group of patients with epilepsy practicing yoga for six months experienced an 86 per cent decrease in their seizure frequency.

Dr. Steven Pacia is currently conducting a study at the New York University Comprehensive Epilepsy Center on the use of yoga to decrease frequency & control intensity of seizures.

Targeted poses or  "asanas"  can help restore balance to the body and its metabolic systems. Practicing the movements daily will increase physical stamina and calm the nervous system. When used as a physical exercise alone, yoga poses will improve circulation, respiration, and concentration while decreasing the intensity & frequency of a seizure.

There are many conditions, which can cause seizures. Sometimes they may be the result of an illness such as meningitis or a head injury. They can also be brought on by flashing lights or ineffective (shallow) breathing. In some cases, epilepsy can be inherited from a family member, however the genetic diagnosis of epilepsy is difficult. Even if there is a family history a genetic link may be hard to pinpoint. In many cases, there is no known cause of the epilepsy.


Stress is the most common trigger of seizure activity and children experience stress & anxiety just as adults do, in fact, sometimes more profoundly. Imagery or "meditation" calms and focuses the mind. It can also slow down the production of adrenalin & other stress hormones. Practicing meditation or using imagery on a regular basis increases the levels of neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, which keep the body's nervous system calm and will help minimize the intensity of seizures. Imagery is an easy technique for children to learn with a little guidance & practice.


For the last 2 months, I have been working individually with 2 young children, a brother and a sister with seizure disorders. I have been teaching them quiet, deep "belly breathing"  (Using the Breathing Ball) and Imagery using the idea of a Starfish under water. I have reminded them that these things can help if the seizures come on.


Last week, during their yoga session, the sister, age 10, began to go into a seizure. (Both Kids refer to them as "The Shakies".) Immediately she knew what was about to happen, and had a stress response: she got scared and began to cry, her breath very shallow and fast as she yelled in a panic "look-look my arm is shaky!"

I immediately took her hand , spoke to her in a quiet voice and told her I was right here and it was time to remember her "Breathing Ball".  I told her to imagine that she was breathing the air into her body and right out her shaky arm. She lied down in "Starfish Pose" and closed her eyes and did exactly what I said. I then had her slowly breathe out of her other arm, legs, feet hands, head, etc. speaking in the same monotone, quiet voice.


Her brother, ages 5, watching me, said he was feeling shaky now too (out of sympathy for his sister) and got into "Starfish" as well. I showed him that he could "Breathe out the Shakies" too and help himself and his sister. In a few minutes they both had calmed down completely, so I took the opportunity to ask if they noticed how when they got upset the shakies got bigger and when they "Breathed out the Shakies", they started to go away? The sister smiled with the realization and said "hey-yeah, they did!"  

We practiced some more, and I coached them a bit on what to do next time the feel the "Shakies". I also gave them some daily yoga exercises to practice each day with mom & dad and at the onset of each seizure. (See Below Article)

As a person starts to have a seizure state, they catch and hold their breath. This causes a drop in oxygen levels in the brain, metabolism & blood flow . The practice of controlled deep breathing immediately begins to restore normal respiration, which can reduce the frequency of seizures or stop seizures before they become full blown.

My hope is that if the kids can master their breath control and body positioning when they are calm, it will become a quick intervention that they can initiate themselves during times of stress. With practice, this will eventually become a "relaxation response" as the seizure comes on, counteracting & minimizing the intensity and hopefully reducing recovery time.

The most important thing a parent can do for their child is to be supportive. It is important to stay positive and understand that epilepsy does not necessarily mean that your child will not be able to participate in activities with others or  that your child will need to be over protected. It is important to strike a balance between being supportive and safety conscious and allowing them to live a normal life so they do not feel isolated or  'different'. Activities such as swimming, sports and riding a bike can still be participated in with simple precautions: supervision in swimming, protective clothing for riding, etc. Extra attention may be needed if your child is photosensitive (hat, sunglasses, long sleeves, sunscreen, etc.) Common sense is the best way to determine what if any precautions to take.


Below are a few yoga-based examples of non-medical  interventions for seizures. These interventions are meant to be complimentary and not as a sole cure by themselves. If you are not sure if you or your child should attempt these, please check with your doctor first.

1. Deep Belly Breathing: Practice Daily and at onset of seizure. As you breathe bring the air into the "belly" area. (you can place hand over the naval-when air is brought in, your belly/hand should move out.) To teach children how to do this, have them lay down on their back and place a small boat or stuffed animal on their belly. When they breathe, in, the toy should move up & when they breathe out, it should go down. See a video here using a visual prop: Breathing Ball


2. Imagery:  Has a calming effect by slowing the production of of stress hormones and increases serotonin & blood flow to the brain. Imagery is creating a "picture" in your mind of a pleasant place, person or experience. Find a Starfish Relaxation Imagery Here.  


3. Yoga Poses:  These are intended to relax the head, neck and lower back, and reduce the frequency/intensity of seizures. Modify & use props (chairs, bolsters, pillows, blocks) as needed to support the body comfortably. If you are not sure how to assist your child with these movements, consult a qualified & experienced adaptive yoga instructor.


Downward Dog
(Modify by resting head on a pillow)
(Modify by allowing children to do over an exercise ball)



Child's Pose (Turtle Pose)
(Modify by placing pillows under chest/belly for support)
(Modify by sitting in a chair.Lean forward, chest to knees)


                        




Plow Pose (Upside-Down Pose)
(Modify by placing a chair/exercise ball by head &
resting feet on seat of chair)

 


Shoulder stand (Candle Pose)
(Modify by bending knees and placing feet on the seat of a chair.)



























4. Prevention:  The following will provide all-over relaxation, improve blood/oxygen supply to brain & thyroid.               

Shoulder stand, (See above)
Supported Child's Pose (Turtle Pose) (See above)
Seated Forward Bend (See image below)
Fish Pose (See image below)
"Starfish" Pose (Corpse Pose, Savasana) (See Image below)
"Legs up The Wall" Pose (See Images below)

Seated Forward Bend
(Modify by placing a pillow or blanket on thighs)



Fish Pose
(Modify by placing pillows/blanket under neck & knees)











"Starfish" Pose
(Modify by placing blanket under knees)



Legs Up the Wall
(Modify by placing a folded blanket under hips)
(Modify by resting lower legs/feet on the seat of a chair)

                            





















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