Yoga for Gastritis

Yoga can help

Yoga is a nonaerobic form of exercise that connects breath with movement, gently stretching and strengthening muscles. There are several different kinds of yoga. In the United States, the most commonly practiced form of yoga is hatha yoga, which emphasizes physical poses and sequences of poses called asanas. But there are other forms of yoga, too, such as Ashtanga yoga, which emphasizes a physically demanding flow of movement from one pose to another; Bikram yoga, which is practiced in a very hot (95 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit) room; Iyengar yoga, in which poses are held for long periods of time so that alignment can be perfected; and Kundalini yoga, which emphasizes the movement of the breath. All forms of yoga are good for reducing stress, which is one of the causes of gastritis. Scientific studies show that yoga is especially helpful for people with anxiety, arthritis, asthma, cancer, chronic back pain, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, hormonal imbalances, irritable bowel syndrome, pregnancy, and migraine headaches.

Using Yoga to Relieve the Symptoms of Gastritis

Method

• Find a good yoga teacher and take a yoga class several times a week.
• Alternatively, try doing yoga at home with the help of a good video instruction tape or DVD. One advantage of doing yoga at home is that you can do it twice a day, maximizing its benefit.

Why It Works

Gastritis is caused, in part, by stress. Disciplines such as yoga and tai chi calm your mind, reduce your anxiety, and loosen up muscles that you may be tensing in response to stress.

Precautions

Before beginning any exercise routine, it is advisable to check with your doctor. Go slowly and do not push your body into any position that does not feel comfortable for you. Do not do yoga right after eating.

More Remedies

• Click here for all Gastritis remedies