yoga exercises for digestion

, which can help solve many of your digestion related problems. These exercises can help you treat problems such as diarrhea, stomach bloating, stomach ache, constipation or even irritable bowel syndrome. Following are some yoga exercises for digestion improvement and treating digestion related problems.

Yogasanas for Digestion improvement

The following yoga exercises help improve digestion by stimulating the stomach, liver, pancreas and intestines. They also help by increasing food absorption, reducing acid, reducing gas and eliminating constipation problems. Following are simple exercises which you can practice.

1. Ananda Balasana (Happy baby pose)

   This is known to relieve intestinal issues and pressure from IBS.

   How to do it

   : Lie on your back. Exhale and bring your thighs towards your chest. Keep your feet and knees apart. Keep your knees bent towards your chest and hold the outer side of your feet. If you find it difficult, then use a soft belt around your sole to hold on to. Hold this position between 30 seconds to a minute. You can now slowly bring back your feet to the floor.

2. Bhujangasana (The cobra pose)

   This posture helps in overall blood circulation. It also helps in relieving your constipation problems.

   How to do it

   :Lie flat on your stomach with your forehead touching the floor. Keep both your legs together. Bring your palms towards your head just below the chin, with both palms facing the floor. Press both your elbows close to your chest. Now, slowly inhaling, use your palms and lift your torso up from the floor starting with your forehead, your chest and then the torso. Your palms and the lower body should be firmly pressed to the ground. Your spine should arch backwards as much as possible. Breath deeply for 8-10 breaths. This completes the pose. To release the pose, exhale slowly and come back to the original position in the reverse order.

3. Pranayama (Yoga breathing)

   Pranayama can help you treat heartburn, painful gas and certain digestive issues. There are many forms of pranayama. Here is the simplest form of pranayama.

   How to do it

   : Sit straight on the yoga mat either in the cross-legged position or Vajrasana. Make sure that your back is straight. Closing your eyes, inhale slowly and deeply. Let your chest expand as much as possible when you inhale. Now, exhale slowly and deeply without straining yourself. Once you are comfortable, you can try and hold your breath for 3-5 counts after you inhale and exhale.

4. Bhadrasana (Beneficial pose)

   This keeps your kidney, urinary bladder and prostate healthy.

   How to do it

   : Sit straight on your yoga mat. Stretch your legs straight in front of you. Now, bend your knees and bring your feet closer to your body and as you bring it closer, let both your heels and toes close together. Using your hands, clasp your toes and the frontal part of the feet. While maintaining an erect posture, widen your thighs and bring your knees downwards towards the ground. Keep pulling your feet towards the perineum and pull it as near as possible. Stay in this position for 10-15 seconds and keep breathing normally. To release, release the clasp and slowly stretch your legs back to the original position.

5. Viparita Karani (Legs up the wall pose)

   According to the “Help for IBS” website, this exercise can relieve you off the symptoms of diarrhea.

   How to do it

   : Bring one side of your body close to the wall. Keep your body as close as possible to the wall. While bringing your legs up the wall, get your lower back onto the floor. You can take support from your elbows and palms on the floor. Slowly bring your entire upper body down on the floor and release the support. You can remain in this position for several minutes as long as you are comfortable. To come out of this position, simply bring your knees to your chest and roll over to one side.

These

yoga exercises for digestion

can be of immense help for preventing and easing many of the symptoms. However, remember that you should not be attempting these exercises if you are suffering from hiatal hernia, abdominal inflammation, hyperthyroid condition or back problems. You should also not attempt these exercises if have recently undergone abdominal surgery or if you are pregnant.

Ujjayi breathing benefits

are many and one of these benefits is expulsion of certain toxins from your body. Ujjayi, also called “victorious breath” or “ocean breath” is a form of loud breathing. This is one type of breathing normally used while performing yogasanas (yoga postures). Following are some of the Ujjayi breathing benefits.

Health benefits of Ujjayi breathing

• Mental awareness

  : Ujjayi breathing improves mindfulness and mental awareness. This is the reason why it is used while practicing yogasanas. A part of practicing this breathing involves producing a sound while exhaling. Concentrating on your breath and sound of the breath improves your focus. It also helps in removing negative thoughts confusion from your mind.

• Relaxation

  : apart from removing negative thoughts from your mind, this breathing technique also helps you relax. As your awareness increases, your mind calms down your body and mind releasing stress and tension.

• Warm-up

  : During this breathing, you take long and continuous breath and your belly is contracted inwards. The friction which is created while the air passes through your lungs and throat causes mild heat in your body. This provides a form of internal massage and a soothing sensation. In fact, for performing various asanas, it is ideal that the body should be warmed up. This breathing technique provides that internal warmth.

• Thyroid cure

  : Ujjayi breathing technique is known to help in curing thyroid, bronchitis and certain other throat related problems. The effect is said to be better if you focus on your throat area while performing this technique.

• Other

  : Ujjayi type of breathing is known to cure other problems such as snoring, tonsil, cold, cough and asthma while strengthening your nervous and digestive system. It is also known to be very useful for the health of your heart.

Many yoga practitioners consider this form of breathing as the best form of pranayama especially due to the

Ujjayi breathing benefits

of curing thyroid and other throat related problems.

include spiritual growth, physical fitness, improved well-being and clearer thinking. Yogis consider Kundalini as the yoga of awareness. In ancient times, it was considered a secret form of yoga practised only by royalty and the spiritual elite. Kundalini yoga is a powerful way of strengthening and toning the whole body. In fact, it is considered better than any other forms of yoga for the fitness of your entire body and its health benefits. Let us see what some of these Kundalini Yoga health benefits are.

Health Benefits of Kundalini Yoga

Kundalini yoga requires using your “prana”, “chi” or simply your inner energy. This yoga is based on utilizing the seven chakras (meridians) points in your body.

• Spiritual growth

  : There are some types of yoga which focus on strengthening body while some of them focus on creating harmony. Kundalini focuses on strengthening the body so that a stronger bond is built between the body, mind and the spirit. Some claim that it creates spiritual awareness faster than hatha yoga or other forms of yoga.

• Physical fitness

  : Kundalini yoga has the capability of improving your strength, balance, endurance and flexibility. Though some practitioners claim that the exercises and postures are not demanding, when practised properly, this yoga can stimulate your glands, cleanse and tone your body. Some of the tangible benefits you can see include improvement in your circulatory system, nervous system, digestive system and the immune system.

• Clearer thinking

  : Organizations such as Mayo Clinic highlight many benefits of yoga and one among them is clearer thinking. Kundalini yoga involves many techniques such as alternate nostril breathing and breath of fire which help in calming the mind and provide mental clarity. A person who is adept in Kundalini can distance himself from many of the worries which help him get positive thoughts and solutions for many problems.

• Improved well-being

  : Through improved health and mental conditions, you can obtain peace and harmony in your life.

Some people also claim that

Kundalini yoga health benefits

go beyond body and mind into the realms of metaphysical awareness. However, there is not much academic evidence in this area.

Yoga is becoming immensely popular all over the world. This is not surprising considering that scientific research has conclusively proved the undeniable physical and mental benefits of practicing yoga. This article looks at how

yoga for health

can help you keep your mind sound and body healthy.

Physical Benefits of Yoga for Health

• It improves strength and flexibility.
• Yoga tones the muscles and keeps the body firm even in old age.
• It delays aging and helps the practitioner maintain youthfulness and vitality.
• You can improve your posture and look more confident.
• Regular yoga practice can help you avoid debilitating conditions like back pain, arthritis etc.
• Yoga stretches and purifies the body to make it healthy.
• Yoga revives the dormant energies lying coiled inside the body.

Psychological Benefits of Yoga for Health

Yoga is not merely the practice of physical calisthenics. There is a holistic spiritual angle to this ancient art, which can benefit your mind in various ways. Read on to learn how yoga can help your mind overcome stress and tension, and maintain a spirit of joy even during tough times:

• Yoga is a proven stress-buster.
• You can keep negative emotions such as anxiety, nervousness and fear at bay through regular yoga practice.
• Yoga can help you maintain a positive attitude and boosts self-confidence and self-esteem.
• Yoga practice helps improve our awareness of body and mind.
• Body, mind and spirit come together in perfect harmony.
• Yoga improves and sharpens the intellect.

Spiritual Aspect of Yoga

In the West, yoga is commonly seen as a method to gain physical fitness. But, there is a deeper spiritual angle to yoga practice. In fact, the practice of yoga poses can be a stepping stone to attaining enlightenment and liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

General Rules for Yoga Practice

• You should wait for at least three hours after eating a meal before starting your
  

  yoga for health

  practice.

• You should always inhale through the nose and not through your mouth.
• Do not practice yoga on bare floor. Use a mat or cushion.
• Ensure that you practice the poses in a rhythmic manner. Do not use force as yoga is not an athletic exercise.
• Wear loose and comfortable clothes which will make you feel free and flexible.
• Do not practice yoga in windy places.
• Urinate after doing yoga poses to eliminate wastes collected during the practice.
• Take a shower or bath after yoga practice.
• Drink water after performing yoga poses to keep yourself hydrated.
• Pregnant and menstruating women should avoid yoga practice.

Conclusion

Now that we have given you the lowdown on

yoga for health

, get cracking and join a yoga class. Yoga is one of the best methods of self-improvement as it holistically benefits body, mind and spirit. It scores over other forms of exercise in terms of cost too. You need to enroll in a yoga class just for a month or two to learn the proper techniques. Once you master the poses, you can do yoga in the comfort and privacy of your home. Here’s to your healthy body, happy mind and enlightened soul.

Many people live a hectic and harried life that exposes them to mental ailments like stress, tension, anxiety and needless fear. Despite the advancement in science and technology, is mankind more happy and relaxed compared to a hundred years ago? The answer would have to be no. This is because we mindlessly run the materialistic rat race every day and do not allot enough time to relax and develop our mind. This is where meditation comes in. Scientific research has conclusively proved the immense psychological benefits of practicing regular meditation. If you are one those seeking solace to your troubled and harried mind, read on to learn how

meditation for health

can help you overcome stress and lead a happy and fulfilling life.

What is Meditation?

What exactly is meditation for health? You can say that meditation is any experience in which our mind gets engrossed and reaches a state of bliss. Going by this definition, even listening to a melodious song can be called a meditative experience. For serious practitioners, there are two popular meditation methods: concentrative meditation and awareness meditation.

Concentrative Meditation for Health

In this method, we silently chant a mantra inside our mind. The purpose of this chanting is to calm our turbulent mind and slowly lead it inward. The surface of our mind can be compared to the surface of a disturbed lake as the mind is constantly disturbed by ripples of thoughts. But, beyond the surface, when we delve deeper inside by practicing concentrative meditation, we find there is an ocean of calm and peace. Regularly practice concentrative meditation for about 20 minutes in the morning and evening to reap rich benefits.

Awareness Meditation for Health

This meditation method has its roots in Buddhism. Unlike concentrative meditation, this method does not involve chanting a mantra. Rather, we sit in a comfortable pose and detachedly watch the thoughts passing through our mind. The trick is not to get attached to the thoughts, but watch them dispassionately. As we attain expertise, we realize that our mind is nothing but a bundle of unconnected thoughts. All our emotions arise because we find a connection between unconnected and independent thoughts. Awareness meditation teaches us to un-clutch from our thoughts to overcome negative emotions such as fear, jealousy, discontentment, lust and worry.

Benefits of Meditation for Health

• Regular meditation practice has immense physical, mental, emotional and spiritual benefits.
• We can regulate our blood sugar and blood pressure.
• Chronic conditions can be eased by practicing meditation.
• Our verbalization and clarity of thought are enhanced.
• Meditation improves memory power and concentration.
• Regular meditation practice gives immense peace of mind and the ability to maintain calmness even during the toughest crisis.

How to Approach Meditation for Health

• Be Sincere. You must be disciplined and regular to practice meditation daily.
• Be optimistic. Inner bliss is not reserved for enlightened masters. You can reach this state too.
• Be playful. Do not be too serious and tight about meditation. Let go and realize that life is God’s divine play.
• Be patient. Do not expect immediate results.
• Learn to enjoy solitude. Happiness and bliss cannot be found outside. Enjoy silence and solitude to realize that heaven is within you.

Yoga Poses for High Blood Pressure:

Following are some simple yoga poses for high blood pressure:

Camel pose:

Procedure:

• Sit on the heels
• Breath in and bend back for touching the ankles with your hands. Your back should be arched
• You must hold this position for a few breaths and breath out while returning to original position. Relax for sometime.

Knees Squeeze:

Procedure:

• Lie on the back.
• Now lift your right knee and get it closer to the chest. In order to support the knee to get close to chest, you can use arms.
• You must keep your left leg straight.
• Now bring your right leg to original position and relax for a few minutes.
• You must repeat the same procedure for other leg also.

Corpse Pose:

Procedure:

• Lie on your back.
• You must close your eyes.
• You must turn your attention on to all the parts of the body.
• Relax all the parts of the body right from toes to head. You must induce relaxation.
• You must make your mind free from all the thoughts that disturb you mentally.
• If you could execute the posture perfectly, calmness and peace saturates the being.

Nadi Shodhana:

Procedure:

• Relax all the parts of the body by sitting is a comfortable position.
• Now close your eyes.
• Use thumb to close right nostril and inhale slowly through left nostril. Now, close left nostril and exhale through right nostril. This this comprises one part of breathing.
• Later, close left nostril and inhale through right. Exhale air through left nostril by closing the right.

• Pain relief:

  Practicing yoga daily helps in easing the pains and aches of your body. Most people with severe health conditions have reported that the pain subsided after practicing exercises every day, like meditation or asanas.

• Stress relief:

  Yoga helps to reduce the stress effects on the body. It encourages relaxation and lowers the cortisol levels in the body.

• Better Breathing:

  You will learn to take deep and slow breathing techniques with the daily practice of yoga asanas. It helps in increasing the functioning of lungs and setting the body’s relaxation response. This is one of the most useful benefits of yoga.

• Increased Strength:

  Yoga poses makes use of each and every muscle in the body and thus help you in increasing the strength levels. Daily exercises help you to strengthen the muscles which are close to the bones, that alleviates the support of the skeletal system too.

• Flexibility:

  Regular practice of yoga helps in increasing the flexibility levels. At times, people can’t touch their toes. Regular practice helps in stretching the ligaments, tendons and muscles in the body to help you become more flexible.

• Weight Management:

  You will notice that the benefits of yoga afflict your scale. You are advised to practice yoga daily, but it helps in reducing cortisol levels in the body. This assists in fat burning and weight loss.

• Cardiovascular conditioning:

  Even the very basics of yoga help in lowering the resting rate of heart and increase the overall endurance. This is another important benefit of yoga to improve the amount of oxygen inhaled by a person while practicing yoga.

• Improves Circulation:

  Yoga improves blood circulation in the body. Daily practice of yoga helps in lowering the pulse rates and blood pressure.

Here we are giving top 3 yoga poses for diabetes. So, practice these exercises and keep diabetes away.

Mandukasana (The Frog pose)

Steps

:- i) Sit in Vajrasana (diamond pose).
ii) Close your fists.
iii) Now exhale forcefully.
iv) Then with closed fists press the abdomen and bend forward.
v) After 30 seconds return to normal and inhale deeply.

Benefits

:- By practicing the Frog pose regularly, more insulin is formed thus raised sugar levels are reduced. Polyurea is also cured.

Paschimotasana (The forward seated bend)

Steps

:- i) Sit comfortably on a yoga mat with outstretching the legs in front.
ii) Exhale completely and bend ahead to touch the knees.
iii) Hold the toes with your fingers. Remain in this position for a few seconds and when you return to the original position inhale deeply.
iv) Repeat this pose 2-3 times.

Benefits

: By practicing this pose regularly, diabetes is controlled and raised sugar levels are lowered. Pancreas is stimulated effectively to secrete more insulin. The functioning of kidneys and liver is improved.

Mayurasana (The peacock pose)

Steps

:- i) Lie on your abdomen.
ii) With the support of the palms on the floor, and your abdomen resting on your two elbows, lift the whole body above the ground. The whole body rests balanced on your hands and it remains parallel to the ground.
iii) After few seconds come back to your normal position.

Benefits

: In the beginning this pose may seem to be difficult. But with regular practice it becomes very easy.This pose cures stomach problems. Digestion is also improved. Since abdomen is pressed, pancreas is activated and more insulin is produced. Hence it is very useful for diabetes control.

IMPORTANT

: Learn and practice these poses in the guidance of a good Yoga instructor.

The steps of the pose are given below.

Repeat this yoga pose from the other side. This forward bending pose stretches the hamstring and is very beneficial for digestive system.

1. Treatment using Garlic

Garlic is believed to act as a tonic for loss of sexual power due to any particular cause, sexual weakness, impotency resulting from sexual overindulgence and nervous exhaustion. Two to Three cloves of raw garlic if chewed daily can make a world of difference.

2. Sexual Impotence treatment using Onion

Onion comes second to garlic; especially white variety of onion serves the best for treating impotency. It increases libido and strengthens the reproductory organs, therefore helping men to get over sexual impotency.

3. Sexual Impotence treatment using Carrot

Carrots are considered very valuable to cure impotency. For better results, about 150 gm of carrots, chopped finely, should be taken with a half-boiled egg, dipped in a tablespoon of honey, once daily for a month or two. This combination increases sexual stamina.

4. Sexual Impotence treatment using Lady’s Fingers

Lady’s Finger serves as another tonic to cure impotence. According to Ayurveda, persons who take five to ten grams of the root powder of this vegetable with a glass of milk and two teaspoons of ground mishri (rock sugar/rock candy) daily, will never lose sexual vigor.

5. Sexual Impotence treatment using Asparagus

Dried roots of Asparagus are highly recommended for impotence by Unani medicine. Fifteen grams of these roots boiled in one cup of milk should be taken twice daily.

6. Sexual Impotence treatment using Drumstick

A soup made with about fifteen grams of drumstick flowers boiled in 250 ml milk is very useful as a sexual tonic. It is also useful in functional barrenness in both men and women. The powder of the dry bark of drumstick tree (Horseradish tree) is also a valuable cure for impotence, premature ejaculation, and thinness of semen. Thirty grams of this powder, mixed with a tablespoon of honey, should be taken three times daily for a month.

7. Sexual Impotence treatment using Ginger

Half a teaspoon of ginger juice should be taken with a half-boiled egg and honey, once daily at night, for a month.

8. Sexual Impotence treatment using Dried Dates

Dried dates are a highly-strengthening food. Pounded and mixed with almonds, pistachio nuts, and quince seeds in equal quantities, about 100 gm should be taken daily as an effective medicine for increasing sexual power.

9. Sexual Impotence treatment using Raisins

Black raisins are useful for restoration of sexual vigor. They should be boiled with milk after being washed thoroughly in lukewarm water. This will make them puffed and sweet. Intake of this milk three times a day will surely be fruitful for impotency problems.

10. Fresh Fruit diet followed by a well-balanced diet

Adopt an exclusive fresh fruit diet for seven days. Take fresh juicy fruits three times a day with a gap of five hours. After the exclusive seven day treatment go for a well-balanced diet consisting of seeds, nuts, grains, vegetables , fruits, whey, sour milk- particularly goat’s mailk, millet , garlic , honey, cold-pressed vegetable oils, and brewer’s yeast.

11. Things to avoid

Avoid Alcohol, Smoking, Tea, Coffee, and processed, canned, refined and denatured foods, especially white sugar and white flour, and products made from them.

12. Body Massage

A vigorous body massage proves highly beneficial in the treatment of impotence, as it helps to revive muscular vigor and mental peace.

13. Cold hip bath

The nerves of the genital organs are controlled by the pelvic region. Hence a cold hip bath for ten minutes in the morning or evening is very effective .

14. Fresh air, outdoor exercises and Yogasanas

Every effort should be made to build up the general health level to the highest degree. Therefore go for fresh air and outdoor exercises. Ardently follow Yoga. Dhanurasana, sarvangasana, and halasana in Yogasanas are highly beneficial

Sexual Impotence, if not cared for, might make your life very imbalanced- both mentally and physically. Every step should be taken to follow a healthy lifestyle to avoid such situations. If necessary, medical or psychiatric assistance should be sought to cure impotence.