Yoga for Acidity

What is acidity?

The food we eat goes into our stomach through the esophagus. The gastric glands in your stomach create acid, which is necessary to digest the food. When the gastric glands create more acid than needed for the digestion process, you tend to feel a burning sensation below the breastbone. This condition is commonly called acidity.

Acidity, also called acid reflux, is a condition that is characterized by heartburn that is felt around the lower chest area. It is a common condition that occurs when stomach acid flows back up into the food pipe. The most common acid reflux symptom is a burning sensation in the chest and pain. While most people suffer in pain, they do not realize that poor lifestyle choices are the main reason behind acidity.

When acidity symptoms occur more than twice a week, your doctor may diagnose you with Gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. Chronic acidity may lead to serious risks that include:

• Oesophagus damage: Oesophagus is the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach. When acid moves back up and enters the esophagus, it sets the stage for esophageal ulcers, oesophagitis, esophageal strictures, and Barrett’s Oesophagus.
• Increased risk of esophagus cancer, which is more likely if you have a history of the condition in the family.
• Acid reflux can wear down the enamel of your teeth and lead to cavities.

Causes of acidity

Acidity is caused due to excess production of acid in the stomach by the gastric glands. Factors that cause acidity include:

1. Unhealthy eating habits

• Skipping meals or eating at irregular times
• Eating just before sleeping
• Overeating
• Consumption of spicy food
• High intake of table salt
• Diet low in dietary fiber

2. Excessive consumption of certain food

• Drinks such as tea, coffee, carbonated drinks, soft drinks
• Extremely spicy food
• Fat rich food such as pizza, doughnuts, and fried food

3. Side-effects of certain temporary medications as well as existing medications.

It includes medications such as

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• Medicines for high blood pressure
• Antibiotics
• Depression and anxiety medications

4. Stomach disorders

• Several types of stomach disorders such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, tumors, peptic ulcers might aggravate acidity.
• Due to a longer period of Suffering from constipation some people suffer from acidity.

5. Other causes include

• Consumption of non-vegetarian food
• Excessive stress
• Lack of sleep
• Frequent smoking
• Lack of physical exercise
• Frequent consumption of alcohol

Yoga for Acidity

What is Yoga?

According to Bhagwad Gita Equanimity, Stability, Balance, Harmony, Equipoise is yoga i.e. Samatvam Yoga Ucchyate.

According to Sage Vashistha, yoga is the skill to calm down the mind i.e. Manah Prasanna up ayah yoga.

And according to Great Sage Maharishi Patanjali yoga is the cessation of mental modifications i.e. Yoga is to gain mastery over modifications of Mind.

According to Guruji Shubham Barwala Ji, yoga is the recognition of Mental Modifications the moment they arise in our consciousness.

According to Guruji Neeraj Medharthi, Ji Yoga is the state of perfect balance.

Panch Kosha Based Yoga Therapy or Yoga for Acidity

Yogic Diet – Yoga for Acidity

• Eat on time. Chew food properly.
• Sattvic home-cooked meals.
• Increase the intake of seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables. Include high-fiber foods such as vegetables, cooked peas and beans (legumes), whole-grain foods, cereals, rice, and fresh fruit in your diet. Choose foods that are low in saturated fat and cholesterol.
• Keep the body well hydrated.
• Avoid processed and refined foods. Try to avoid nerve stimulants such as tea, coffee, alcohol, dark chocolate.
• Eat more alkaline food and easily digestible food.

Asanas – 8 Yoga Poses for Acidity

• Paschimottanasana (Forward bend pose)
• Supta Badhakonasana (Reclining butterfly pose)
• Marjaryasana (cat/cow pose)
• Vajrasana (Thunderbolt Pose)
• Ustrasana (Camel Pose)
• Ardha Matsyendrasana (Sitting Half Spinal Twist)
• Pavanamuktasana (Wind Relieving Pose)
• Setu Bandhasana (Bridge Pose)

Kriyas – Yoga for Acidity

• Jala neti/sutra neti
• Vamana dhauti – best kriya for acidity
• LSP – helps to reduce constipation and gastric disorder.
• Kapalabhati 20-30 strokes per min
• Dhauti

Pranayama – Yoga for Acidity

• Sheetli
• Sheetkari
• Nadishuddhi
• Bhramari
• Sectional breathing
• Ujjayi

Manomaya Kosha – Yoga for Acidity

• Yoga Nindra
• Bhajan
• Chanting
• Emotional Counselling
• Prayer
• Mind Sound Resonance technique (M.S.R.T.)

Vijnanamaya Kosha – Yoga for Acidity

• Counseling about the disease, triggering factors, diet

Anandamaya Kosha – Yoga for Acidity

• Karma Yoga

Explore this Health Topic to learn more about Yoga for Acidity, the role of yoga and yoga therapy for various diseases, and where to find more information regarding it.

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