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Introduction

With today's increasingly hectic lifestyles, not only do our minds take a beating thanks to stress levels and the constant need to be better than the rest, but our bodies suffer too with irregular eating habits, unhealthy diets of snacks and fast-food and crazy work hours. Constipation means different things to different people. For many people, it simply means infrequent stools. For others, however, constipation means hard stools, difficulty passing stools (straining), or a sense of incomplete emptying after a bowel movement. The cause of each of these "types" of constipation probably is different, and the approach to each should be tailored to the specific type of constipation. With constipation stools are usually hard, dry, small in size, and difficult to eliminate. Some people who are constipated find it painful to have a bowel movement and often experience straining, bloating, and the sensation of a full bowel. Some people think they are constipated if they do not have a bowel movement every day. However, normal stool elimination may be three times a day or three times a week, depending on the person.

Constipation is a symptom, not a disease. Almost everyone experiences constipation at some point in their life, and a poor diet typically is the cause. Most constipation is temporary and not serious. Understanding its causes, prevention, and treatment will help most people find relief. Constipation is one of the most common gastrointestinal complaints in the United States. More than 4 million Americans have frequent constipation, accounting for 2.5 million physician visits a year. Those reporting constipation most often are women and adults ages 65 and older. Pregnant women may have constipation, and it is a common problem following childbirth or surgery. Regular exercise is often the best and easiest way to make sure your mind and body are revitalized. An active lifestyle ensures that your body gets the exercise it requires while improving appetite and digestion.

Yoga and Constipation

Constipation may probably be the main cause of most ailments common to humans. Yoga is the practice of different postures as a form of physical exercise and meditation. A number of positions in yoga may be beneficial in relieving bowel problems in people suffering with constipation. Abdominal lifts and knee-chest positions can increase intestinal motility and promote bowel regularity. Yoga can provide solution for each and every health problem.

Practicing yoga regularly can ensure a healthy life. Yoga has proven very effective to treat the health disorder like constipation. As most of the yoga postures for constipation focus on the abdominal movement, it makes easier to pass the stools. Such asanas also help to improve the human digestive system and therefore cure constipation. These yoga postures will not only cure your constipation but also relive your from other disorders if combined with proper diet and adequate sleep. The ability of yoga to pump blood to various organs helps in the healthy functioning of organs and the organ systems of the body.

YOGA POSES FOR CONSTIPATION

Seated Forward Bend Pose

When you perform Seated Forward Bend, your abdominal organs are compressed and massaged. This stimulates your colon movement and thereby helps excretion system to function better. To perform this pose completely, while bending forward, do not forget to pull in your stomach to massage the abdominal organs.

Marichi Pose

Marichi Pose (Marichi's pose) or Marichyasana is a twist sitting pose. The pose purifies the body by wringing toxins out of the internal organs. When you twist your torso, the intestine and colon inside the stomach are stimulated.

Locust Pose

Yoga locust pose provides massages to the lower abdomen, enforcing the colon's movement which in turn easing the excretion system.

Twists

These postures free energize and balance the body. Sitting twists are the most intensive, as they increase the range of motion of the spine. They promote flexibility in the spine, hips and upper back, thus relieving backaches, headaches, and stiffness in the neck and shoulders. This group of postures also tones and stimulates the abdominal organs, thus aiding digestion and relieving constipation. Ideally, twisting postures are done after a series of sitting poses or forward bends, which gives the hips and spine a proper warm-up. When done after backbends, they tend to relieve any lower back discomfort.

Peacock Pose

This is a wonderful Asana for improving digestion. The whole abdominal organs are properly toned and stimulated well by the increase of intra-abdominal pressure. Sluggishness of liver or hepatic torpidity disappears. It tones the bowels and removes constipation (ordinary, chronic and habitual). It awakens Kundalini.

Spinal Twist Pose

The whole abdominal organs are properly toned and stimulated well by the increase of intra-abdominal pressure. Sluggishness of liver or hepatic torpidity disappears. It tones the bowels and removes constipation (ordinary, chronic and habitual). It awakens Kundalini.The important physiological aspects of this posture (asana) are that it stimulates the pancreas, liver, spleen, kidneys, stomach and ascending and descending colons.

YOGA ASANAS FOR CONSTIPATION

BHUJANGASANA

Bhujangasana makes the spine flexible, removes constipation, and prevents Arthritis. The lungs become strong. Bhujangasana should be practiced along with Shalabhasana and Dhanurasana for deriving maximum benefit. Bowel movement is free and you will not suffer from any major old age problems. You can maintain good shape of the body throughout the life span.

Steps

MAYURASANA

This is a wonderful Asana for improving digestion. It destroys the effects of unwholesome food, and increases the digestive power. It cures dyspepsia and diseases of the stomach like Gulma (chronic gastritis), and reduces spleenic and liver enlargements by increasing the intra-abdominal pressure. The whole abdominal organs are properly toned and stimulated well by the increase of intra-abdominal pressure. Sluggishness of liver or hepatic torpidity disappears. It tones the bowels and removes constipation.

Steps

SARVANGASANA

The Sarvanga Asana is one of the most treasured asanas, said to benefit the whole body. In this asana the whole body weight rests on the shoulders and the neck and upper back regions are stretched to the limit. Beginners should practice the sarvanga asana in a moderate way and gradually attempt the full posture.

Steps

SALABHASANA

Shalabhasana is useful for stomach. Lumber, waist portions and to the legs. Practice of this asana removes constipation. The waist remains trim if you practice Shalabhasana regularly.

Steps

ARDHA MATSYENDRASANA

This is highly useful to control diabetes and kidney troubles. This posture makes the spine elastic. Nerves of the spinal column are toned up. This improves the efficiency of the abdominal viscera, such as liver, spleen, pancreas and the intestines. This eliminates the problems of constipation and dyspepsia (loss of appetite). Artha Matsyendrasana is a wonderful asana and gives you a very high standard of health when practiced in combination with the other asanas of forward and backward bending.

Steps

HALASANA

Halasana is a yoga exercise of more or less same variety as sirsasana and sarvangasana. The stretching movement gives an additional benefit in making you flexible and strengthen your spine and back muscles. It is helpful in curbing indigestion, constipation and acid reflux which is very common and very irritating disorders and cant let you to perform your work normally.

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