Acidity remedy in Yoga

(September 3, 2010)

I am suffering from Acidity, gas formation since last 10-15 years and using medicine frequently. Let me know best Asnas & diet for eradication of Acidity.

Anyone who has suffered from heartburn or a burning sensation in his or her chest after a meal knows how uncomfortable the feeling can be. Heartburn or a foul taste in your mouth after a meal could be symptoms of acidity or acid reflux.
While medicines help to relieve acidity, yoga also addresses gas problems. A stressful lifestyle, chaotic diet and lack of rest and exercise result in conditions like acidity and acid reflux. Yoga, with its combination of physical exercises and discipline can help eliminate some of the factors resulting in improper digestion.
Apart from acidity, yoga treats stomach ailments like peptic ulcers, dyspepsia and other gastro-intestinal disorders. While the bending and stretching physical poses exercise the abdominal muscles and reduce the symptoms of acidity, Yoga breath aids digestion.
Acidity and Yoga Poses
• Since excess secretion of stomach acids is the main cause of acidity, Yoga poses for your abdominal muscles and internal organs can serve as a preventive measure. Yoga poses like Padahasthasana (Bending forward), Sasangasana (Rabbit Pose), Janu Shirsasana (Head to Knee pose) and Viparit Karni (Upside Down Pose) can be attempted even by Yoga beginners.
• Individuals suffering from acidity can try Yoga to relieve gas and indigestion problems. Yoga poses such as Paschimothasana (Head to Knee), Tadasana (Mountain Pose), Trikonasana (Triangle Pose) and Parivrtta Trikonasana (Advanced Triangle Pose) stretch not just your abdominal muscles but also exercise your obliques, thighs, glutes, and internal organs like liver and kidneys. Since acidic secretions from the liver cause acidity, Yoga poses such as these can help to rectify the cause.
• Yoga studies show that the process of digestion is affected by what we eat and how we breathe. You can approach a problem like acidity through Yoga for improved digestion by applying Pranayam or the breathing techniques taught by Yoga. Simple sitting poses like Vajrasana (Throne Pose) or Padmasana (Lotus Pose) and a relaxing pose like Shavasana (Corpse Pose) can decrease gas or flatulence. The emphasis here is on correct posture and breath counts. The easiest breathing technique to follow is the Ujjayi (Ocean Breath). You can also practice other techniques of breathing like Kapalbhatti (Forced Air) and Shitali Pranayam (Cool Breath).
Countering acidity through Yoga exercises is one-step. However, you have to follow up with a change in diet and lifestyle habits as well. Consult a doctor before you make any of these diet and exercise changes. Also, ensure that you practice under a qualified Yoga instructor who is aware of your condition and can chart Yoga poses to relieve acidity. Before you follow any dietary lists, make sure you seek the advice of a qualified dietician to plan your meals.
• Oily, fried or spicy food cause maximum damage to people suffering from acidity.
• Some citrus fruits like orange, lemon, key lime and fruit juices are avoidable due to their acidic content. Caffeinated beverages like tea, ice tea, coffee can cause esophageal irritation resulting in acid reflux.
• Quit or reduce smoking since high levels of nicotine cause belching and hyper acidity.
• Adding plain yogurt or special probiotic infused yogurt to your diet can neutralize stomach acids.
• Do not sleep on a full stomach. Give yourself at least 30 minutes after a meal to lie down. This way your digestion process will have started and you are less likely to suffer heartburn.

Submitted by A on September 3, 2010 at 05:50

Acidity remedy in Yoga

The best and easy yoga asana for acidity would be vajrasana. This asana helps to improve digestion, decrease constipation, reduce flatulence or gas and acidity. For this sit on the floor with your legs erect in front of you. Now slowly fold one leg at a time at the knee supporting your weight on the palm and put it under your buttock. Similarly fold the other leg and put it under the buttock. The toes should point towards the ground and there should be enough space between your heels to place your buttock. Place your hands in cupped position under the abdomen. Relax in this position 10 minutes after eating any meals.

If you suffer form acidity take care of the food which you eat as food has a major influence on acidity. Keep the following points in mind for the same –

Have small divided meals; avoid having a heavy fatty meal especially in dinner to avoid acidity.
Avoid fatty oily foods, junk foods, coffee, tea (don't drink tea or coffee alone, always have a piece of cracker or toast along with it), caffeinated drinks, chocolates, and sodas.
Avoid clubbing fruits with your major meals.
Do not lie down immediately after a meal; keep at least a minimum gap of 2-3 hours.

Submitted by S M on May 23, 2008 at 04:39