Pain in the abdomen? Well, we all have faced it…How many times have we clutched our tummies because we feel uncomfortable with pain in the pit of our stomach, after eating a spicy meal? Or…how many times have we felt like puking just after a meal? This is a universal ailment, and has no fixed age as such. An upset stomach arising out of high acidity or due to undigested food is something we all go through. This can be due to other external factors, such as age, slow metabolism and the temperature outside. The juices produced by our intestines for digestion may not be sufficient or may not be flowing properly. Have your tried Yoga asanas and mudras to reduce acidity and aid digestion? For centuries, millions have practiced them for all types of stomach issues!
The mudras and the yoga asanas below reduce acidity and aid digestion. They are all-natural, have been practiced for centuries by millions, and have no counter effects. Here are the 5 most potent and recommended asanas and mudras for reducing acidity and aiding digestion.
Mudras:
- Pushan Mudra
- Shunya Mudra
- Surya Mudra
- Varuna Mudra
- Pitta Karak Mudra
Asanas:
- Seated Side Bend (Parsva Sukhasana)
- Cat-Camel Pose or Cat-Cow Pose (Marjaryasana-Bitilasana)
- Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana)
- Bow Pose or Archer Pose (Dhanurasana)
You can even use mudras to open and balance your chakras. Head here to learn how.
Introduction
Before you pop a pill or engage in costly treatments, consider an all-natural solution. Yoga asanas and mudras are simply, natural remedies or antidotes to this ailment and all of them have the hand of the ancient seers or the gurus who have studied these with respect to the easing of the ailment. So, the mudras and the yoga asanas that we see here will help ease us and with no counter effects. It may take some time though, for the effect to set in. But once you fall into the routine of doing the below mentioned mudras and the yoga asanas to reduce acidity and aid digestion, your stomach will thank you! There will be no looking back; the remedy would be a long standing and a permanent one.
When combined, yoga asanas and mudras are helpful tools to reduce acidity and aid digestion- they are time-tested and have been practiced for centuries! They increase the subtle energy to the body and balance the body physically and energetically. The yoga asanas also stretch and strengthen the stomach, abdominals, and digestive tract. This brings the stomach and body back to its natural state and allows digestive juices and enzymes to flow freely. As mentioned, they are most effective together! You can develop a great digestive tract by following these mudras and asanas. First we will start with mudras!
5 Best Mudras for Reducing Acidity and to Aid Digestion
1. Pushan Mudra
All the mudras have their names and functions outlined in the language of the Gods, Sanskrit. The word Pushan, means nourishment. By doing this mudra with our bare hands, we are stoking or kindling the digestive fire within our stomach. The fire energy or the energy of the sun is the key element for a fast metabolism.
In this mudra, the gesture is not uniform in both hands- there are two different mudras for each of the hands.
The word for digestive fire is – Jatharagni- meaning, the fire that transforms what we ingest to energy that the physical body needs. It also means the power that supports or feeds the whole world. This mudra is unique and unlike other mudras. In this mudra, the gesture is not uniform in both hands. Rather ,there are two different mudras for each of the hands; This Pushan mudra is a combination of two basic mudras- the Apana Vayu Mudra and the Prana Mudra.
How to Do the Pushan Mudra
First, sit in the Padmasana position, or the Vajrasana position. If they are difficult for you to do, then sit in the normal squat position on the floor, preferably on a mat. If sitting on the floor is a problem, then you can sit on a chair. Our primary objective is not the way we sit, rather but to start the mudras in a proper seated position. Then we can perform the Push mudra properly to control our acidity and speed up our digestion.
The left hand mudra is this way: Touch the tips of the middle finger and the ring finger to the tip of the thumb and place the hand on the left thigh for support; now, on the right hand, join the tips of the thumb to the tips of the middle finger and the index finger. If you need to memorize it, remember this: The thumb, the middle finger are common for both hands. The extra is the ring finger for the left hand and the index finger for the right hand. Remember this to avoid confusion.
The important thing to remember is to close your eyes after we adopt this mudra in the seated position. We need to practice this silently, for at least 40 minutes. Visualizing a white light around your stomach. Visualize a healed stomach and feelings of complete digestion in your stomach. Imagine soft comfort in any specific part of the stomach that is troubling you.
How the Pushan Mudra Reduces Acidity and Aids Digestion
This mudra is so potent that it directs much needed subtle energies to heal and repair the liver, the gallbladder, the pancreas and the intestines. The Pushan mudra ensures they are all in good working order, where they secrete the much needed enzymes in proper capacity for digestion. It does away with constipation. This frees the system from bloating and unnecessary gas and acidity formation and brings about harmony in the digestive areas.
2. Shunya Mudra
The shunya mudra also means the Akasha mudra
In Sanskrit, shunya means zero. I would like to call it the ‘invaluable’, mudra, though. The Shunya mudra also means the Akasha mudra. When the emptiness or the akasha element or the air element becomes more, it creates an imbalance in our body. By practicing the Shunya mudra, the unwanted space in our digestive tract is eliminated and the other elements related to digestion are balanced well. We have to realize that when the spaces are occupied by air, it obstructs the proper flow of the prana for proper digestion, creating a mayhem in the digestive tract. This mudra helps balance the activity in our stomach.
How to Do the Shunya Mudra
First, sit in any of the following: Vajrasana, Sukhasana (squatting position), or the Padmasana (lotus position). This seating is uniform for all the mudras. We need to find the comfort level. Take the middle finger in both the hands and then press it with the thumb, while the rest of the fingers are stretched out. This regulates the akash element and reduces it in the body. Practice in this position for at least 40 minutes, which is extremely important for setting this off in motion. This miracle mudra is a remedy for high acidity levels and also to help in digestion.
3. Surya Mudra
The Surya mudra, as the name sounds, is symbolic of the sun’s powers or the energy of the sun
The Surya mudra, as the name sounds, is symbolic of the sun’s powers or the energy of the sun. The mudra helps to stoke the fire power in our system. This is vital for digestion to speed it up to an almost rapid pace, like clockwork efficiency. This kindles the fire element. People have claimed that while they started to practice this mudra, they have felt a warmth in the pit of the stomach. This indicates a perfect metabolic status, that should be indeed this way, to enhance our digestion. Feelings of warmth in the stomach indicates that the fire power is activated.
How To Do the Surya Mudra
Sit in one of the seated postures, that is so very important, prior to starting the mudra. In both hands, the ring finger’s tip should touch the base of the thumb, and the thumb tip should touch the ring finger, almost pushing it towards the palm. Practice the Surya mudra for a stretch of 40 minutes, and for a period of 45 days, to experience the effect. The eyes should be closed and the posture should be comfortable enough for us to experience the remedial change. Surya mudra practice on a religious regimen is supposed to mitigate ailments such as acid reflux, feeling of vomiting, constipation, and flatulence as well as bloating due to the presence of unwanted gas.
4. Varuna Mudra
By doing this mudra, the digestive tract is regulated properly.
Varuna, or the water element, is a very vital aspect of digestion. How can digestion not happen without water?When the water element is not regulated, then it results in problems related to digestion. Hence, by doing this mudra, the digestive tract is regulated properly. The water element increases wherever the need is more, and it also gets reduced, if the need is less.
How To Do the Varuna Mudra
Sit in one of the seated postures or on a chair. If you cannot sit on the floor, then practice on a mat. Then in both your hands, bring the little finger towards the base of the thumb. Then, press the little finger tightly toward the palm, by placing the thumb over the folded little finger. Do this with both hands. Practice this mudra for sometime – probably for about 40 minutes, for about 45 days, sans any break. One of the highlights of this mudra is that it helps us overcome the problems related to muscular spasms, insomnia, flatulence and even pain in the solar plexus, due to fear.
5. Pitta Karak Mudra
The pitta element is represented by the presence of bile in the body
Pitta is the warmth element in our body. The pitta element is represented by the bile in the body. The Pitta karak mudra ensures that the pitta element is regulated in the body. Pitta is the main component that drives the heat of digestion.
How to Do the Pitta Karak Mudra
We need to sit in the sukhaasana or the swastikasana pose first. This is followed by being at ease, and then placing both the hands with mudras, on the respective thigh. Bend the ring finger and the little finger and bring it towards the pit of the palm- then take the thumb and press the fingers down, and the fingertips of these two fingers are only bent, the rest of the fingers are stretched out.
How does the Pitta Karak Mudra Reduce Acidity and Aid Digestion In The Body?
By doing this mudra, we have indirectly triggered off a series of events. The digestive juices are released and heat is generated. This provides new the digestive juices for the body. This mudra helps generate enough fire in the pit of the stomach, that there is enough hunger all the time. This also regulates the thyroid.
Alongside the mudras, it is also important to follow a set regimen of Yoga Asanas to reduce acidity and aid digestion
Alongside the mudras, it is also important to follow a set regimen of yoga asanas to help with removing acidity in our stomach and also aid in the digestive process. So, if we prepare a timetable, that is a good mix of mudras and asanas to be followed, both, in the morning and the evening, then after a mandala, that is, a period of 45 days, we can actually set to see real magic happening in our body. As we mentioned earlier, practice mudras AND yoga asanas TOGETHER to reduce acidity, aid digestion, and to promote the overall health and well-being of the entire digestive system.
4 Best Yoga Asanas for Reducing Acidity and to Aid Digestion:
1. Seated Side Bend (Parsva Sukhasana)
This asana , because of the stretch of the abdomen to one side, is a good yoga asana to induce quick digestion. Not only is it simple to follow, it is also less intense than most asanas. This pose is great for beginner’s as well as seniors and baby boomers. Not only does it stretch all the internal organs in the stomach, it also aids in the digestion of food.
How to Do Seated Side Bend (Parsva Sukhasana)
To practice this asana, sit in the normal Swastikasanna or squatting position. Then bend to one side, place the elbow of the same side on the floor, as shown in the image below. The other arm is supposed to be bent over the ear and stretched towards the side of the bend, as much as possible.
2. Cat-Camel Pose or Cat-Cow Pose (Marjaryasana-Bitilasana)
Cat-Camel Pose or Cat-Cow Pose (Marjaryasana-Bitilasana) is an asana that has far -reaching effects than anything else in this yogasana series. This also stretches our internal organs and the spine. By doing or practicing it everyday, we allow the anomalies in the spinal region to get corrected and also corrects the issues of the stomach or digestive area. When practiced regularly, the question of acidity hardly ever comes into focus, as there can be no stagnation, fermentation of food or the accumulation of food particles in any part of the intestine.
How to Do Cat-Camel Pose or Cat-Cow Pose (Marjaryasana-Bitilasana)
Getting to this yoga asana is fairly easy. First sit in swastikasana and then, slowly, from this position, slide into a pose where you are on your knees. The distance between the hands and the legs should be equidistant. Here, you are on all fours. Inhale deeply. As you inhale, arch your back and raise your head. Keep your head raised. Then after this, exhale. As you exhale, round your back nicely, and bend your head. This asana is called the Cat and Camel (or Cat-Cow)with a purpose: When you inhale and arch your back, you appear like a cat, lithe and agile, and ready to spring. When you exhale, and round your back, you appear like a camel (or cow, but it does like more like a camel!). The rounded back is like that of a camel hump. The head too appears like a camel’s when it is pushed in while exhaling.
3. Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana)
The Cobra pose is one of the most important asanas in the series of asanas. It is a part of the surya namaskar series and also important for its impact on the spine or the lumbar area. There is no way we can overlook the benefits of practicing this lovely asana. Not only will it bring about a flexible spine, removing all the stiffness, it also ensures a quick digestive process , if we start to practice this sans any break in our practice pattern. The acidity levels are well- maintained, regulated and brought to a proper orderly state, and the digestive process also falls into place making the person have a good metabolic state.
How to Do the Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana)
This asana is quite simple to do as long as we do not suffer from back stiffness. Lie on your stomach and stretch out your legs and place your head on the mat, turning it to one side. Now,, first bring your hands near your head, as you still continue to lie down with your head now, right in the center. Slowly, inhale, and raise your head, as much as you can, which with the hands near the head, will only be a mild stretch.
The next stage in the Bhujangasana series is when the hands are kept near the chest- now inhale, and try to raise your upper torso, as much as the extent of the stretch of the hands. This is a better raise than the first step; now, bring your hands, and place them between the chest and the waist, on the mat, and inhale, and raise your torso. This raise is more intense- the hands being a little near the wait, allow us more slack. This time, raise the torso even more so that the navel (belly button) is way off the mat, on which we are lying face down.
For the sake of spinal safety and health, we cannot do the third stage or raise of the Bhujangasana, without doing the first and the second. The sudden raise and the abrupt jerk may bring pain onto the spine. So, remember to always do this Cobra pose in the three steps procedure.
4. Bow Pose or Archer Pose (Dhanurasana)
The archer/bow pose (Dhanurasana) is the ultimate pose to regulate, strengthen, and align the spine and the abdomen. It is one of the most effective yoga poses to reduce acidity and aid digestion. It is always preferable, that one slides into this asana gradually from the Cobra pose, as by having done the cobra asana, we have already done the introductory stretch very much needed to get into the Dhanurasana state.
How to Do The Bow Pose or Archer Pose (Dhanurasana)
In this asana, we have to lie down on the stomach. From here, try to hold on to to the big toes of each foot, with the corresponding hand. Then, try to bring the legs towards the butt, so that the heels may touch them. Then, inhale and raise your head, just as you tried to raise it for the Bhujangasana. But this time, like the image, hold the feet by the toes an raise the chest. The asana replicates the look of an archer. The spine, the abdomen and the biceps as well as the muscles of the back are stretched together in a beautiful fusion.
This is the ultimate asana in the area of digestive health. Practice each of the recommended yoga asanas for a span of about 3 to 4 minutes. Initially, you should practice for a timeframe of about 40 days for the real effect to set in. As you acquire finesse and expertise, you can extend the number of inhalation and exhalation as you stay in this asana. Acidity need not be a scary thing any more. Of course, even as you visit your medical expert, just ensure that you regularly practice these asanas and the mudras, for complete freedom from any problems in your gut, stomach, and digestive system!
For Maximum Effect, Combine Mudras and Yoga Asanas to Reduce Acidity and Aid Digestion!
The mudras will help the subtle energies flow and the yoga asanas will also physically heal the stomach and help strengthen the stomach, abdominal area, intestines, and digestive tract. When all combined, the recommended mudras and yoga asanas listed here are highly effective for reducing acidity and to aid digestion. They will also strengthen and help align your stomach and abdominal area. Try them today!
If you’re eager to speed up your mudra results, head over here to see how you can do that. And if you’re amazed with their effects and feel like “Give me some more of that,” check out our detailed guide on how mudras can help you with depression, anxiety, arthritis, brain power, concentration and much more!
Shanti Arunkumar, Senior Contributor At L’Aquila Active
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