Yoga Health Secrets

Yoga for constipation and indigestion

Sufferers from both constipation and indigestion would do well to follow the water-drinking habits of the Yogis. Next to air, water is one of the bodily supplies most urgently demanded by nature. Eight-tenths of our physical body consists of water and about two quarts a day are eliminated. An insufficient intake of water is very often responsible for constipation, a congested colon, and malfunction of the liver and kidneys.

Drink a glass of fresh water, at room temperature, first thing in the morning and last thing at night. It should be taken hot only when your constipation is of long standing, or persistently troublesome, in which case unsweetened lime or lemon juice may be added to make it more palatable.

Water which has been boiled or processed often loses some of its vitality and to restore this pass it through the air, pouring it from one glass to the other, as this will prove more beneficial than drinking devitalized water.

Drink from six to eight glasses of water a day, or one glass for every fourteen pounds of your body weight. And remember that one of the greatest crimes in the black book of bad health is the drinking of iced water, or indeed any other iced beverage. Never, never drink anything straight from the refrigerator, no matter how pleasant you may think it is. Your health is more important than a few moments’ pleasure don’t you think?

Do not drink water with your meals but take it half an hour before or a couple of hours afterwards so as not to impair the digestive processes by diluting the digestive juices. One of the most powerful weapons against indigestion is the consideration of one’s mental attitude while eating. Many people forget that the state of the body reflects the state of the mind and vice versa. So if food is eaten in a state of distress, anger or fear, it produces a toxic effect in the body and courts digestive troubles. And food improperly digested leads to chronic constipation and worse. It is far better not to eat if you are upset in any way, even though you might think that a good meal will make you feel better. Chances are it will not, and you will have a hefty attack of indigestion into the bargain.

It would seem unnecessary to mention that to swallow food in large, hurried mouthfuls first thing in the morning is not taking a good solid breakfast but cruelly treating the poor digestive system. By all means eat a good breakfast if you can take a lot of food in the morning, which many people can not, but do please eat it sitting down. If you bolt large quantities of food standing up with one eye on the clock you will spend half the morning trying to relieve yourself of the resulting digestive upset, and so lose that much working time. It is far better to take a little food, even a cup of tea with an egg and toast, and chew it slowly and calmly. Enjoy what you are eating and never eat anything you dislike because you think it is good for you. If you do not want it, you do not need it.

Unpleasant news should never be disclosed during, or just before, meals as this upsets the digestion and indeed the entire organism. A calm, methodical attitude towards life and its problems (which you will gain through the study of Yoga) will result in improved digestion, and better health and temper. Cultivate repose. It is the beginning of all Yoga, but it is not the body’s and the mind’s need alone. It is also the need of the world.