Treating Constipation With Yoga

Is Yoga an alternative to treat constipation?

Constipation is annoying and one heck of a problem. Although laxatives provide with some temporary relief, in the long run they become ineffective due to constant use. Doctors too warn against continuous use of laxatives to move your bowels.

The main problem in constipation is that the stool becomes so hard that it becomes difficult to pass through the rectum causing some serious problems.

Constipation is the most commonly caused side effect of today’s so called convenient foods. We stopped eating fruits and started taking juices. The fiber in the common foods is also disappearing in the process of cleaning and polishing.

How is constipation treated?

To treat constipation one must take recourse to natural therapies apart from some diet modification.

It is the power of Yoga, if practiced correctly and regularly could help cure constipation as well be a great therapeutic alternative to other allied diseases. Yogasanas as well pranayam coupled with cleansing kriyas can definitely come handy in alleviating constipation forever and it’s not exaggerating.

Some of the asanas for constipation related problems include:

Bhujangasana, which is referred to as snake pose with your chest lifted up and the rest of the body lying on the floor. Inhaling and exhaling must be done properly as you lie down and lift your chest upward. This position stimulates the adrenal glands and help increase blood circulation to all organs. With the application of pressure in the stomach muscles helps in relieving constipation

Supta Vajrasana is better known as pelvic posture, Here one need to knee with the knees together and feet apart and sit between the feet. Begin with spine erect and then bend backwards till the spine rests on the floor and the arms stretched backwards. With continuous practice one can retain the position for more than two minutes and then again be back to normal. Through this asana the stomach is stimulated, strengthens the thigh muscles and help relieving the pains of constipation.

Pavanmuktasana: If you practice daily for 10-15 seconds upto 2 minutes can be quite beneficial in treating indigestion and relieving constipation. Through this asana the wind in the whole body is balanced. Here, one needs to lie down flat and take some long deep breaths. Now, gradually the legs need to be folded at the knees. Exhale and press the legs that are folded with your abdomen and bring either your nose or chin to the knees. Stay in this position for some time and then release the knees and put your foot on the floor.

Other yogasanas are Dhanurasana, Sarvangasana, Ardha Matsyendrasana and Trikonasana. Besides these some breathing exercises such as Anuloma-Viloma and Kapalabhatti can be helpful.