Yoga Health Secrets

Yoga for constipation and indigestion

If you find that the practice of UDDIYANI or the ABDOMINAL LIFT is too strenuous for you in a standing position, you may perform them sitting down in one of the classical poses described in Chapter 6, the Easy Pose or the Gupasana are recommended.

Chronic sufferers from constipation will benefit from the following internal cleansing method which is used by the Yogis. Internal purification is as important, if not more so, as external cleanliness. Take several glasses of water with a quarter of a teaspoon of salt per glass. The water must be at room temperature, never iced. Then do the contracting and relaxing movements (Uddiyani) while standing feet apart, then sitting on the floor with the spine straight and finally while lying fiat on the floor. This is known as the ‘avalanche technique’ of taking an enema without any apparatus.

I have already discussed the importance of breathing in relation to health and each Yoga breathing exercise performs a different function in the body. Let us then consider a breathing exercise which will help to combat constipation and in addition will cleanse the lungs and the bronchial passages. It is called the BELLOWS BREATH or in Sanskrit, Bhastrika.

You have a choice of three positions for this exercise and you may adopt the one which you find most comfortable. You may either (A) sit down cross-legged on the floor, (B) sit on your heels, or (C) sit on a hard chair with your feet on the floor, close together. I need hardly say that whatever position you adopt the spine must be held erect. Not only in Yoga but always should the spine be straight whether you are sitting, standing or lying. Apart from your appearance, your health will improve as well.

Bellows Breath

1. Sit down in your chosen position, rest your hands on your thighs, and look straight ahead. First empty your lungs by bending your body forward to aid this action.

2. Take a deep slow breath through your nose and at the same time straighten your body gradually until you are in the starting position.

3. Complete your inhalation and as soon as your lungs are completely filled expel the air through your mouth with force, bending your body forward once again.

4. Without a pause the next intake of air follows at once and the whole process is repeated four times.

When you can perform the Bellows Breath four times without the slightest discomfort you may hold your breath for a few seconds every fourth intake of breath. When you can perform this exercise more than four times you know you are on the way to the breathing control which will be so beneficial to your health and spirits. I mention the word discomfort because if you are not used to deep breathing this, and indeed any other Yoga breathing exercise, might cause a slight dizziness which is a sure indication of how undernourished the blood is with oxygen. The dizziness will soon wear off but do not continue the exercise if any discomfort is felt. Lie down flat on the floor and close your eyes, leaving the exercise until the following day.

Increase the number of Bellows Breaths you take until you are performing the exercise twelve times, and remember to hold your breath after every fourth inhalation. This exercise stimulates the circulation of the blood, increases the flow of Prana or life-energy and, by increased oxygenization of the blood, the nerves are purified. And most important of all to sufferers from constipation, the bending forward and straightening up action of the exercise massages the internal organs and the viscera thus promoting digestion and evacuation.