Shanmukhi Mudra

Shan means six and mukha means the mouth. Sanmukha is the name of the six headed god of
war, also known as Kartikeya. Mudra means a seal or closing up.
The posture is also called Parangmukhi Mudra (facing inwards), Sambhavi Mudra (Sambhu is a
name of Siva, father of Kartikeya. Hence, Sambhava is the progeny of Siva), also as Yoni
Mudra. Yoni means the womb, the source. The mudra is so called because the aspirant looks
within himself to find the very source of his being.
Technique
1. Sit in Padmasana. Keep the spine erect and the head level.
2. Raise the hands to the face. Lift the elbows to the level of ht shoulders; place the thumbs
on the ear-holes so as to cut off external sounds. If the thumbs in the ear-hole cause pain,
push the tragus (the small prominence at the entrance of the external ear) over the ear-
holes and press it with the thumbs.
3. Close the eyelids, but turn the eyes up. Place the index and middle fingers on the closed
lids so that the first two phalanges only press the entire eyeball. Do not, however, press
the cornea. Pull the eyelids down with the middle finger. Push the upper part of the
eyelids below the eyebrow upwards with the index finger. Gently press the eyes at both
the corners.
4. Equal pressure should be maintained on the ears and the eyes.
5. With the tips of the ring fingers press both nostrils equally. The nasal passages fare thus
narrowed for slow, deep, steady, rhythmic and subtle breathing.
6. Stay in this position as long as you can, drawing the vision inwards.
Effect:

The senses are turned inward and the rhythmic breathing calms the mind's wandering. This
brings a feeling of inner peace and one hears the divine voice of his self within, 'look here! Look
within! Not outside, for the source of all peace is within yourself.' The posture thus prepares the
practitioner for the fifth stage of yoga, Pratyahara, where he attempts to free himself from the
thralldom of the sense and to prevent them from running after their desires.
Some of the other asanas which also helps in OCD are Sirsasana; Sarvangasana;
Paschimottanasana; Uttanasana; Bhastrika; Nadi Sodhana & Suryabhedana Pranayama without
retention, Sanmukhi Mudra & Savasana.

Sarvangasana
Sarvangasana or Shoulderstand, is an inverted asana (pose) in hatha yoga. Considered as the
"queen" of asanas, many practitioners consider it to be an especially important and beneficial
pose. Its name in Sanskrit literally means "posture of the complete body."

It is performed by first lying on the back with hands under the mid-back, then lifting the legs and
lower body so that the weight of the body is supported on the head, neck, upper back and upper
arms.

The gazing point is towards the toes. The head must not be turned to the side while in this pose.

Advanced practitioners hold this pose for long periods of time - as much as three hours.
However, because of the significant amount of weight being placed on the cervical spine and the
threat of neck injury, this is not advisable.

The pose is contraindicated for high blood

pressure , whiplash, menstruation, thyroid disorders,angina , and spinal weakness caused by
conditions such as arthritis or osteoporosis. This pose improves the reproductive organs in both
men and women. It also helps in relieving bronchitis, dyspepsia, and varicose veins and increases
digestive capacity.It influences the brain, heart and lungs, and improves blood circulation. If you
are pregnant, consult a qualified yoga instructor or your physician before attempting this
pose. Viparita Karani - the "legs up the wall" pose - is a common modification.

Paschimottanasana
The yogi sits on the floor with legs flat on the floor, straight ahead. They bend forward from the
hips and bring the trunk parallel with the legs.

A similar frontbend is Uttanasana which is a standing front bend. Some consider

Paschimottanasana to be a safer stretch since gravity is less of a factor than active flexibility in
achieving flexibility in the furthest reaches of the stretch. It is more passive in its initial stages,
making it a good transition between the two forms. The arms can also more easily support the
upper body in this vulnerable position, and can be used both to move further into or move out of
the stretch.

Unlike Uttanasana it is also much easier to move the legs, rotating them inward or outward,
abducting or adducting them at the hip, flexing or extending the knees, or enacting plantar or
dorsi flexion of the ankle. These variations can be performed either as a combined stretch, to
change emphasis on different tissues, or simply to take one's mind off the hamstrings and lower
back being stretched. They can be used rhythmically to aid in relaxation.

Uttanasana
Uttanasana (forward bend) is a hatha yoga posture, one of the most 'popular', utilized in most
hatha yoga classes.

The posture consists of standing with feet together, then hinging forward from the hips, letting
the head hang, with palms placed flat on the floor near the feet.

Practitioners suggest that this posture provides these benefits:

 Provides a complete stretch to the entire back side of the body.

 Rejuvenates the spinal nerves.
 Removes depression, makes the mind peaceful and calm.
 Tones the kidneys, liver, and spleen.
 Increases flexibility of the spine, hips, sciatic nerves, tendons, and ligaments of the legs.
 Improves blood circulation in the legs.
 Calms and rejuvenates the nervous system as it soothes the brain cells.
 Releases anxiety.
 Provides nourishment to the facial skin, scalp, and hair roots.
 Improves eyesight and hearing.
 Stretches the hamstrings.
Because of its great popularity, this posture has a very large number of variations and associated
techniques.