If you have experienced the problem of acidity or gas, then it is very likely you remember the waves of stomach cramps that come along with it and make you curl up in a ball. Acidity is nothing uncommon, especially amongst people with unhealthy food habits. The reason for an unhealthy lifestyle could be anything- hectic schedules, insufficient sleep, improper diet, and whatnot. Sometimes this acidity is also accompanied by other problems like heartburn and excess gas formation. However, through yoga, acidity problems can be easily reduced.
Of course, there are medicines that can provide you relief from the discomfort that you are undergoing. But isn’t it better to go all-natural? We mean, look at our ancestors, for instance, and yoga has been the “one-fits-all solution” to their problems, and it is still being passed on from one generation to another.
In this article, we have put together a few of the ways in which yoga can provide relief from the problem of acidity and excess gas formation.
How Yoga Treats Acidity Problems and Flatulence?
According to stats, 20% of people suffer from acidity or excess gas formation on a day-to-day basis. It starts with a burning sensation in your esophagus and gets worse if you try to lay down immediately after eating something.
Read on to learn more about how yoga reduces gas and acidity problems.
1. Vajrasana
Vajrasana or ‘the diamond pose’ is the simplest form of asana, which you can practice after your lunch or dinner. This yoga is particularly beneficial for curing hyperacidity.
To perform this pose:
- You can kneel on the floor and sit on your heels.
- With your head and spine straight, place your hands on your knees.
- Try holding this position for as long as 10 minutes and pay attention to your breathing.
Benefits:
- It helps you relax your mind
- Provides relief from constipation and acidity
- Improves the process of digestion
- Improves blood circulation
- It helps to reduce obesity
Also read: Yoga Asanas for Healthier Lungs
2. Halasana
Halasana, which is a Sanskrit word, is derived from ‘Hala’ which means plough, and ‘asana’, which means pose. By performing this yoga, gas relief can be felt in a matter of minutes. Besides, it is also considered an excellent position for treating acidity.
To perform this asana:
- Lay on your mat with your hands by your side.
- Lift your feet above the ground as you inhale.
- You can use your hands to support your hips.
- Place your toes beyond your head and hold the position for a few seconds before you come back to your original position.
Benefits:
- This asana is great for providing relief from digestion problems.
- It also alleviates gas problems.
- Abdominal muscles can be strengthened through this asana.
- The spinal cord is also strengthened as it makes the body more flexible.
- It also provides relief from stress.
- This asana is beneficial for treating diabetes as well.
3. Ardha Matsyendrasana
Ardha Matsyendrasana is a great asana that helps in the purification of the body by improving digestion and overall blood circulation in the body. It detoxifies any toxin present in the body and cures acidity.
To perform this asana:
- Sit with your legs extended.
- Your spine should be straight and your hands should be on the side.
- Fold your left knee and slowly bring your right foot and place it over your left knee.
- The next step would require you to twist your body and place your left arm near your right knee.
- For your right arm, you can either place it behind your back or keep it on the side.
- Hold the position for a few seconds before you perform the same with your other knee.
Benefits:
- This asana eliminates waste and improves the overall digestion.
- Your spine and hips become more flexible.
- Your internal organs are detoxified.
- Your obliques and abs get toned.
- It gives your shoulders and neck a good stretch.
Also read: Yoga for Weight Loss
4. Marjaryasana
Marjaryasana, also popularly called the cat or the cow pose, provides an excellent massage to all the organs that are responsible for digestion.
This asana can be simply performed by:
- Standing on all fours- keep your palms placed under your shoulders and your knees placed under your hips.
- When you are finally in the position, lift your chin up along with your tailbone as you deeply inhale.
- As you exhale, move your head and tailbone down and restore yourself to the original position.
- You can perform this asana 5-7 times.
Benefits:
- This yoga pose is ideal for people with back pain.
- It helps to cure acidity.
- Through this yoga, gas problems are also resolved quickly.
- Relieves tension from the neck and shoulders.
- It gives the muscle a good stretch.
- It also helps to relax the whole body through its synchronized movements of the breath.
5. Kapalbhati Pranayama
Kapalbhati Pranayama is one of the best asanas for treating stomach disorders and digestive problems. This yoga position has gained particular significance since the pandemic concerning the growing number of obesity cases.
How to perform:
- Fold your legs as you sit on the floor.
- Keep your spine straight and close your eyes as your mind enters a deep state of relaxation.
- Keep your palms on your knees.
- Take deep breaths as your stomach crunches in, and exhale with great force.
- Do not perform this asana in a hurry. Focus on your breathing as you channel your energy towards something more positive.
Benefits:
- This asana improves your respiratory system.
- It cures acidity and alleviates the gas problem.
- It removes toxins from the body.
- It is great for reducing obesity.
- It also helps to improve the functioning of the pancreas.
Also read: Yoga Asanas to Ease Menstrual Problems
Conclusion
If you take a trip back in time, you will know that yoga originated some 5000 years ago, and to date, it is still considered to be an excellent resource for curing body disorders, including anxiety and depression.
Irrespective of your age or level of fitness, you can easily incorporate yoga practices into your daily routine to give your sedentary and monotonous lifestyle a break. Through yoga, acidity problems are easily cured along with other stomach disorders.
So, grab your yoga pants as you use yoga acidity problems, a permanent goodbye.
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