Acidity is a common ailment that can often be prevented or managed by making simple lifestyle changes. While stomach acidity is necessary for digestion and killing bacteria, excessive acidity can lead to discomfort and health issues. Yoga for Acidity can play an important role because the health benefits of some yogic techniques make a significant difference in preventing acidity.
Excess stomach acidity can manifest with symptoms such as belching, nausea, burning sensations, indigestion, and bad breath. Several factors contribute to increased acidity, including dietary choices, stress, stimulants like caffeine and alcohol, lack of exercise, and certain medications. In severe cases, chronic acidity can lead to stomach ulcers and even stomach cancer.
Acid Reflux occurs when stomach acid flows back into the oesophagus. Unlike the stomach, the oesophagus lacks protective lining, making it susceptible to irritation and inflammation. Weakness in the oesophageal sphincter, responsible for closing off the stomach, can lead to this condition. Causes of a weakened sphincter include poor posture, bad sleep habits, hiatus hernia, overeating, pregnancy, and obesity.
Yoga for acidity management offers effective tools for preventing and controlling acidity and GERD through its holistic approach to life. Here are the four pillars of a yogic lifestyle that can give you several health benefits.
• Opt for a sattvik diet, which is alkaline in nature.
• Maintain regular meal timings and consider smaller, more frequent meals, especially as you age.
• Have a light and early dinner, at least three hours before bedtime.
• Stay well-hydrated, starting your day with warm water.
• Include non-citrus fruits like melons, bananas, apples, pear, papaya, and chikoo in your diet.
• Avoid overeating, binge eating, fasting, fermented foods, spicy and oily foods, non-vegetarian options, caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, and carbonated sodas.
• Minimize the use of antacids and over-the-counter medications.
• Prioritize regular sleep and relaxation intervals.
• Avoid lying down immediately after meals; instead, take a light stroll for 15 minutes.
• Practice conscious relaxation techniques like Nishpandabhava and Shavasana to manage stress and anxiety.
• Include regular walks, hobbies, calming music, appreciating nature, and visiting inspiring places into your routine.
• Maintain a consistent schedule for eating and sleeping.
• Cultivate mindfulness while eating and chewing food.
• Avoid fasting and skipping breakfast.
• Engage in yoga asanas, particularly abdominal compression asanas like Pavanmuktasana and Yoga Mudra, along with meditative poses.
• Posture-correcting asanas like Yashtikasana and Talasana can be beneficial.
• For GERD, avoid Bhujangasana and Dhanurasana.
• Practice pranayamas, especially Diaphragmatic Breathing, Equal Breathing, Rechaka, and Anulom Vilom, to manage stress.
• Learn and practice Jeevhamoolshodhana kriya to improve peristalsis.
• Use a hot water bag on your abdomen after meals and remain upright for at least two hours.
• Avoid prolonged sitting, opt for short strolls every hour, and steer clear of tight clothing.
• Develop awareness of your thoughts and emotions to manage stress and triggers.
• Minimize multitasking to reduce stress.
• Cultivate a "let go" attitude or Vairagya Bhava to decrease stress.
• Embrace Ishwarpranidhana to stay present and free from worries.
• Practice Dharma Bhava (Eat to Live, not Live to Eat) and Karma yoga (perform actions with a sense of duty).
• Consider Pratipaksha Bhavana to focus on the positive side of things.
The yoga for acidity practices offer numerous health benefits. When these are applied into your lifestyle, you can effectively prevent and manage acidity. Remember that adopting a holistic approach to health, including dietary choices, relaxation techniques, mindful behaviours, and positive thinking, can have a profound impact on your well-being. Yoga for acidity provides a comprehensive guide to living a balanced and healthy life, free from the discomfort of acidity and related conditions.