4 YOGA ASANAS TO RELIEVE ACIDITY

It is believed that a vast number of diseases today result from our negligence toward what we eat,
how we eat, when and in what amount we eat. One of the most common ailments that affect us is a form of
indigestion called acidity where gastric juices are over-produced in our stomach. The over-secretion of the
gastric juices can be very hazardous as they eat away the stomach lining, leading to gastritis and peptic
ulcers.
Embarking on a yoga journey can be your first step towards better digestion. Through yogic
techniques and dietary changes, you can control and even eliminate acidity, balancing the functioning of the
digestive system and lowering the levels of stress, which is the cause of many diseases.
Supta badha konasana or reclined bound angle pose
Like many restorative yoga asanas, this asana is excellent to support your digestion. This pose
relieves gas from the system and treats chronic acidity.
Steps to do the pose:
From badhakonasana or cobblers pose, lean backwards and get your elbows to the floor.
Now lower your back to the floor and hold this pose for a few minutes.
To come out of the pose, roll over to your right side and slowly sit up. You can use your hands as a support
to get up.
Caution: Do not perform this pose if you are pregnant or have a shoulder injury.
Setubandhasana or bridge pose
The lining of our stomach is extremely sensitive, and acidity can erode the wall. Along with our lack
of mindful eating, stress also affects our digestive organs. Therefore, de-stressing the mind becomes as
important as strengthening our abdominal organs. Practise back bending postures such as setubandhasana to
cool both your mind and your body.
Steps to do the pose:
Lie on the yoga mat with your back on it. Now bend your knees and keep your feet flat on the floor. While
you do this, keep your arms by the sides of your body.
Breathing out, shift your weight to your arms and push your pelvis off the floor, toward the ceiling.
Keep your body lifted so that your neck and head still lie flat on the floor.
Hold this position for five steady breaths and slowly bring down your body.
Halasana or plough pose
Halasana is excellent in dealing with acidity. The asana helps you get a tranquil mind and body that
can help control the secretion of gastric juices in your stomach and control acidity.
Steps to do the pose:
Lie flat with your back on the floor. Place your arms on the sides of your body.
Bend your knees and keep your feet flat on the floor. Now, gently raise your legs from the hips. You can
place your hands on your hips for support.
Now bend your legs and try to touch the floor behind your head with your toes. Now straighten your
hands, so they lie flat on the floor.
To return to the starting position, gently roll your back onto the floor.
Vajrasana
Performing this asana immediately after your meal can increase blood flow to the stomach and
intestines and aid in the digestion process. By regular practise of this asana, you can clean your whole
digestive system. Make a habit to sit in vajrasana 10-15 minutes after your meals. This pranayama will also
aid in better digestion.
Steps to do the pose:
Kneel on a yoga mat and let the top surface of your feet touch the mat. Your heels should be pointing
upwards.
Now gently sit with your buttocks on your heels.
Now place both your palms on your knees. You may close your eyes and take a few deep breaths.

10 HOME REMEDIES FOR ACIDITY THAT REALLY WORK

Suffer from acidity or acid reflux and are tired of having antacids? Well, there are natural ways you
can get rid of the problem. Thought to be due to increased pitta or the lack of digestive fire, Ayurveda
prescribes a number of remedies for the conditions. Not only are these remedies sans any side effects,
they will also help resolve the discomfort that comes with acidity in jiffy. So to help you beat
heartburn, here are 10 home remedies that actually work.
(Beware, sometimes what seems like acidity could actually be a heart attack, especially in women).
Home remedy for acidity #1: Bananas
How do they help?
They are a rich source of potassium and help keep the level of acid production in your stomach in
check.
Certain components in the fruit also help increase the production of mucous in your stomach, which
helps protect it from the harmful effects of excessive acid production.
Are high in fibre content which helps speed up digestion, preventing the recurrence of acidity. ]
Tip for relief
Eat a ripe banana for some relief. You could also eat an overripe banana to beat an especially bad bout
of acidity, as they tend to contain more potassium which makes it the perfect antidote. Here are eight
foods that can help you detox naturally and aid digestion.
Home remedy for acidity #2: Tulsi
How does it help?
Tulsi leaves help stimulate your stomach to produce more mucous
Has antiulcer properties and reduces the effect of gastric acids,
Tip for relief
Chewing on five to six tulsi leaves when you suffer from acidity is a great way to beat the discomfort
you feel.
Home remedy for acidity #3: Cold milk
How does it help?
Milk has a high amount of calcium that helps it prevent acid build up and absorbs the excess acid
produced, thereby reducing the symptoms of acidity.
The fact that it is cold also provides instant relief from the burning sensation one feels during acid
reflux.
Tip for relief
It is essential that you have the milk cold and without any additives like sugar. You could even mix it
with a spoon of ghee to make the remedy even more effective.
Home remedy for acidity #4: Saunf or aniseed
How does it help?
Has very potent anti-ulcer properties (due to the volatile oils it contains)
Aids in digestion and relieves constipation.
Helps cool the lining of the stomach, reducing that burning sensation you feel during a bout of
acidity.
Tip for relief
While simply chewing on a few saunf seeds can help reduce the symptoms of acidity, as a long term
remedy, boil a few seeds in water and leave overnight, drink this water during the day when you feel
uneasy.
Home remedy for acidity #5: Jeera
How it helps
It has properties that stimulate the production of saliva which helps in better digestion, improves
metabolism and relieves gas and other gastric troubles.
According to Ayurvedic doctors jeera has a calming effect on irritated stomach nerves and helps
heal ulcers.
Tip for relief

You can chew a few seeds of jeera to relieve acidity or boil it in water and drink the solution when it
has cooled down.
Home remedy for acidity #6: Clove
How it helps
When bitten into your taste buds react cloves pungent taste and secrete excess saliva, which in turn
aids digestion and beats the symptoms of acidity.
Has carmitive properties and helps improve peristalisis (the movement of food down the stomach).
Tip for relief
In case youre suffering from acidity, bite a clove once so that the juice is released and then keep it in
the mouth. The slowly released juice will immediately lower acid reflux and give you some relief.
Cloves can also help relieve a sore throat, heres how .
Elaichi:
How it helps
Known to balances all three doshas kapha, pitta and vataaccording to Ayurvedic texts, elaichi is
known to stimulate digestion and relieve stomach spasms.
It also soothes the inner lining of the stomach helping it ward off the effects of excess acid produced
in the stomach.
Tip for relief
To relieve acidity crush two pods of cardamom (with or without the skin), boil the powder in water
and drink the cooled juice for instant relief.
Mint leaves or pudina
How it helps
Pudina helpslower the acid content of the stomach and improves digestion.
Has a cooling effect which helps reduce the pain and burning associated with acid reflux.
Tip for relief
If you feel an attack coming on chop some mint leaves, add them to a pot of boiling water and drink
this water after it cools. You could alsotry mint to calm indigestion
Ginger
How it helps
The root is known to improve digestion and aid in better absorption and assimilation of essential
nutrients.
It also protect your stomach against ulcers by promoting mucus secretion and reducing the effect of
the acid on your stomach.
Tip for relief
For relief from acidity, chew a small piece of ginger. If you find that too pungent, try boiling it in
water and drinking the decoction. Another remedy is to crush ginger, mix it with a small piece of
jaggery and keeping sucking on it allowing the juice to slowly reach the stomach.
Amla
How it helps
Amla is a kapha and pitta pacifier apart from having high amounts of vitamin C that helps in
healing the injured stomach lining and oesophagus.
Tip for relief
Have one teaspoon of amla powder twice a day to help keep acidity at bay.
So the next time you feel like you might suffer from a bout of acidity, ditch that bottle of antacid, and
try some effective home remedies instead, after all theyve been around for centuries.
YOGA POSES TO IMPROVE DIGESTION
It is believed that good digestion is the key to good health. According to Ayurvedic doctors, the
stomach plays and important role in regulating the bodys mechanisms and a healthy stomach can help
keep acne at bay, make you less irritable, helps keep your body safe from diseases like indigestion and
in some cases even cancer. So much so that the principles of Ayurveda stipulate that an unhealthy

stomach can lead to poor eyesight. So. wouldnt you want to take care of this important organ? Try
these Yoga poses for some help:
Sarvangasana: This pose is essentially known for its ability to regulate the working of the thyroid
glands. These glands are responsible for the proper functioning of the entire body including the
digestive, nervous, reproductive system, regulating metabolism and respiratory system. Apart from
that , it nourishes the spine with a good supply of blood and oxygen, helping you beat nervous system
disorders, and improving your all round health.
How to do this pose:
To do this pose, lie on a yoga mat with your legs extending outwards. Now slowly raise your legs
either by first folding them at the knees or by lifting them straight. Place your palms along your back
and hips to support it, and raise your body while pointing your toes to the ceiling. All your weight
should be on your shoulders. Make sure you breathe slowly and lock your chin into your chest. Your
elbows should be touching the floor and your back should be supported. Hold this pose for as long as
you are comfortable. To return to the lying position, slowly lower your body. Do not simply fall back
to the lying position.
Tips to keep in mind: Do not do this pose if you suffer from any neck or spinal injuries. If you do
have high blood pressure perform this exercise only under supervision.
Trikonasana : This aasana strengthens your legs, knees, ankles and chest. It also helps improve
digestion and improves ones rate of metabolism. Apart from that it improves mental equilibrium
making you more calm, reduces anxiety and stress, thereby helping you beat acidity and stress related
stomach ailments like constipation.
Steps to do this pose:
Stand up straight, now spread your legs apart. Turn one foot outwards such that your toes are facing
sideways and turn your other foot slightly inwards. Now, stretch your arms sideways. Bend at your
hips and lower one arm towards the outward turned leg while allowing the other arm to rise up
towards the sky. Make sure you distribute your body weight equally on both your legs. Now, breathe
out when you bend down. Place your arm either on your ankle, shin or knee. If you are extremely
flexible, try to touch the floor with your palm. Breathe in and out softly and allow your body to relax.
Make sure your hips are straight and you are not bending backwards or forwards. Hold this pose for
five breath counts. Now, exhale and come up to the standing position. Repeat this on the other side. It
is recommended that you do not push yourself too much while doing this pose, take your time to gain
some flexibility.
Tips to keep in mind: Do not do this pose if you have high or low blood pressure, a neck or back
injury, suffer from migraines or have diarrhoea.
Janusirsasana: This pose is great to heal the digestive system and relieve stress, it helps stretch out
your back, neck, calf muscles and hamstrings. It is a great pose to quieten the mind and beat
insomnia.
Steps to do this pose: Sit down on the floor with your legs together in front of you. Now fold one of
your legs at the knees, and place that legs foot on the upper thigh of the extended leg. The higher
your legs are placed on your thigh the more the stretch. Now place one hand on your hip for support
and while extending the other hand. Now, exhale and bend forward. Try to clasp your toes with your
extended arm. Stay in this position for five breaths. Now inhale and come back to the sitting position.
Tips to keep in mind: Do not do this pose if you suffer from any kind of knee injury, lower back pain
or injury, diarrhoea or asthma.
Bhujangasana: This pose opens up the chest, improves breathing, reduces stress, strengthens the
shoulders, back and abdomen and more importantly improves circulation and digestion. The pose is
great in helping the stomach acids function normally thereby helping you beat symptoms like acidity,
constipation etc.
Steps to do this pose: Lie flat on the floor on your stomach. Place your forehead on the floor and
your feet flat on the ground. Make sure your feet and heels are slightly touching each other. Place
your hands with your palms facing downwards right next to your shoulders with your elbows as close
as possible to your body. Make sure they do not flare out. Now, exhale and lift your upper body one
part at a time first your head, chest then your back and pelvis. At this point make sure your hands

are straight and elbows are locked. Make sure your navel is in contact with the floor and you are
placing equal pressure on both hands. Now breathe in and out slowly and try to calm your mind. To
get out of the pose, breathe out and gently come back down to the lying position. To sit up again, turn
to your side and get up with the help of your palms.
Tips to remember: Do not do this pose if you have a wrist injury, are pregnant or have a back injury.
Balasana: Also known as the childs pose, this aasana is a calming and restorative in nature. It allows
you to relax and stretches out your arms, lower back and spine. Since this pose relaxes you it is best
to beat stress and relieve gastrointestinal symptoms related to the condition. So, after that tiring day at
work, this is the best aasana for you. Steps to do this pose: Start with your knees on the floor, now
rest your buttocks on your feet. Make sure your back is straight and your hands are resting on your
knees. Now exhale, and while using your hands as support, slide down and forwards into the childs
pose. Once here, breathe in and out slowly. Just relax and let your body calm down. The goal is to
have your forehead touch the ground, but if you cant do not push yourself. Hold this pose for as long
as you are comfortable. Now to come out of this pose inhale and use your hands to push up your
upper body. Rise slowly and try not to put too much pressure on your back.
Tips to remember: If you suffer from acidity, are pregnant, have a lower back injury do not do this
pose.
Finally, remember that these poses are supposed to be done only till the point that you are not
uncomfortable. Avoid pushing your body beyond your physical limits. You will be able to achieve the
perfect pose with practice.