Indigestion

What is Indigestion?

The natural remedy for indigestion is most effective when applied through the yoga technique. Indigestion is a digestive disorder in the upper abdomen. Specific yoga postures help to stretch, twist and squeeze the body to improve digestion. With the help of yoga for indigestion you can balance your metabolism, by utilizing your food in the best possible manner. The benefits of this natural remedy for indigestion is that, it restricts the flow of blood to certain parts of the body while holding some poses.

Indigestion is also known as dyspepsia. It includes one or more symptoms like feeling of uneasiness during a meal, uncomfortable uneasiness after a meal, and burning sensation or pain felt in the upper abdomen. It can be accompanied by bloating, belching, nausea, or heartburn. Indigestion is caused by stomach acid, coming into contact with sensitive, protective lining (mucosa) of the digestive system. The stomach acid breaks down the mucosa leading to irritation and inflammation (redness and swelling). This causes the symptoms of indigestion.

The gastrointestinal system in our body takes care of the proper digestion. The purpose of this system is to break down food, prepare it for absorption, and eliminate waste. This system consists of the gastrointestinal tract, a tube extending from the mouth to the anus. The supplementary digestive organs include the teeth, tongue, salivary glands, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas.

Natural Remedy for Indigestion

Persistent indigestion needs medical investigation, as it could lead to more serious problem. As compared to medication, the choice of yoga as the natural remedy for indigestion certainly yields positive result in the long run. The patients of indigestion should avoid all the conditions which are the main indigestion causes. Wait at least two hours after eating before you exercise to help prevent indigestion. Any type of exercise that jars the stomach or includes movements that put your head and upper body in a downward position can cause indigestion when you exercise. Choosing activities that provide aerobic exercise without jarring is natural remedy for indigestion.

If a person is suffering from mild indigestion frequently, adapting to the natural remedy for indigestion through yoga practices is certainly beneficial. Stomach ache, irregular bowel patterns, gas in the digestive tract, constipation all can be benefited from the various yoga exercises. Yoga exercises also help to release toxic gases from the intestinal tract, thus create a feeling of well-being.

Do's And Don'ts For Indigestion

Do's:

Make your meals light and relatively small. Try to take 4-5 small and healthy meals a day
Make yourself relax while eating
Eat slowly and chew your food well
Drink a lot of water.
Do regular exercise.
Do work out what foods make the pain worse and avoid them
Do avoid alcohol
Do avoid stress

Don'ts:

Do not skip your meal
Do not overeat
Do not eat fruits right before or after you have your meal
If you found that some foods or drinks cause indigestion for you then simply avoid those kinds of foods or drinks
Do not mix up hot and cold foods
Do not smoke
Do not take aspirin or medicine containing it
Do not lie down right after your eating
Do not eat late at night

Usually, indigestion occurs due to the displacement of naval towards lower side of stomach.

Leg Circling

Lie on your back. Raise your right leg. Move it in clockwise direction for 10 times and then 10 times in anticlockwise direction. Repeat the same with left leg. Then join both legs and circle clockwise and anticlockwise for 10 times each.

Benefits: This daily activity cures stomach problems including indigestion.

Leg Raising

Lie on your back. Slowly raise both legs upwards up to 30-40 degrees. Hold this position and count 10. Breathing will be normal. After completing place the feet slowly on the floor avoiding any jerks. Do the whole process once again. Then take rest in Corpse pose.

Benefits: Increases the metabolic rate of the body.

Sit Up

Lie down straight on back. Place both the hands above the head and keep them on both sides of the ears. Now keeping both the hands straight sit up and touch the toes with your fingers. Head should touch the knees. Again lie down straight with hands straight. Do this for 10 times.

Benefits: One of the best stomach toning exercises for overall fitness.

Half-Tortoise Pose

Sit in Diamond posture. Raise both hands above your head and join your palms together. Now slowly bend forward till your forehead touches the ground. Stretch your arms on the ground above your head. Stay in this position and count 5. Slowly raise your body and come back to Diamond posture. Do this 2 times.

Benefits: Tones up the abdominal muscles and alleviates problems related to constipation, indigestion, and flatulence. Half-Tortoise pose helps to lose stomach fat. This asana will rejuvenate you from the digestive problems like indigestion and gastritis. Regular practice of this posture helps to slow down the process of ageing and thus takes care of your skin.

Standing Forward Bend

Stand straight with feet together and arms alongside the body.
Balance your weight equally on both feet.
Breathing in, extend your arms overhead.
Breathing out, bend forward and down towards the feet.
Stay in the posture for 20-30 seconds and continue to breathe deeply.
Keep the legs and spine erect; hands rest either on the floor, beside the feet or on the legs.
On the out breath, move the chest towards the knees; lift the hips and tailbone higher; press the heels down; let the head relax and move it gently towards the feet.
Breathing in, stretch your arms forward and up, slowly come up to the standing position.
Breathing out, bring the arms to the sides.

Benefits: Conditions such as constipation, bloating of the abdomen, indigestion can be treated. Standing forward bend removes the excess fat from the abdomen. Stretches all the muscles of the back. Invigorates the nervous system by increasing blood supply. Makes the spine supple. Tones the abdominal organs.

Precaution: People suffering from lower back injuries, spondylitis, cervical pain or any kind of back and spinal problems should not do this pose.

Nauli

Stand with feet positioned one to one and a half feet apart, hands resting on knees, while looking downward. Exhale completely and draw the stomach inward until it touches the back, then push it outward. This preparatory movement is repeated according to individual capacity to soften the abdominal area.

For the main technique, while maintaining the bent position and pressing the knees, contract both sides of the stomach while pushing the center portion outward, attempting to extend the front abdominal muscles. When the urge to inhale arises, breathe in and repeat the exercise sequence.

Benefits: It definitely cures dyspepsia, constipation, gas, diarrhea, sprue-syndrome, obesity of the abdomen, etc. It is the most powerful exercise for all digestive issues.

Caution: People suffering from slip-disc, heart problem and ulcer should not attempt this activity.

Diamond Pose

Instructions:

First sit in kneel down position with folded legs.
Both the heels should be outward facing. Toes of both feet should touch each other.
Rest your hip in between the feet.
Palms should be on both knees.
The spine should be straight.
Hold this position as suggested. Breathing will be normal.

Benefits: The only asana which can be performed immediately after consuming food to help in digestion. Diamond pose calms the mind and stabilizes mental clarity. It resolves constipation and acidity while improving digestion. Beneficial for those with gas issues when practiced after meals. Alleviates back pain and addresses stomach disorders. Resolves urinary issues, strengthens reproductive organs, and boosts circulation. Supports meditation and focus, aids weight management, and tones thigh muscles. Provides pain relief for arthritis sufferers.

Precaution: A person suffering from joint pain should not practice this asana.

Corpse Pose

Lie down on your back and relax your whole body, as if you have gone to sleep. Place a cold towel on top of the eyes. In this posture, keep the mind clean from all worries and thoughts. Do this for 5 minutes.

Benefits: Keeps the whole body calm and relaxed.