Yoga for Kidney Stones

Yoga is a balanced approach towards physical, mental, psychological and spiritual health. Although yoga is understood just as attaining some postures, its main purpose is to bring peace, happiness and focus in one’s life.

If one has kidney stones, one can still practice yoga. There is no damage in doing yoga. However, care has to be taken that the yoga asanas that are putting pressure on the abdominal muscles whether in a seating or standing position are avoided. On the other hand, yoga can help to alleviate the condition of kidney stones.

The following yoga asana and breathing exercises are beneficial for a person having kidney stones:-

• Viparita Karani Mudra (The Inverted Body Symbol):
  The first step is to lie down on your body in a relaxed manner. Gradually bring both your legs together and place your hands sideways. Raise both your legs slowly till it is perpendicular to the ground. Your body will represent a right angle now. Keep on lifting your legs towards your face now. While doing this, your hips and back are also raised. The hands should still be on the ground. Ideally, your legs should be parallel to the ground but only try as per the comfort level of your body. Now, again bring your legs upwards. Your feet should be slightly perpendicular to the ground. Raise your forearms. Your upper arms and elbow should touch the ground. Your hands should hold on to the hips. With this position your legs are straight in the air and your hands are supporting your hips. Breathe in and out in the normal way and don’t try to hold your breathe.
• Anuloma-Viloma Pranayama (The Alternate Nostril Breathing):
  This pranayam is capable of destroying the toxins in the body. To do the Alternate nostril breathing technique, first sit cross-legged on the floor. If you are not comfortable you can also sit on the chair and practice this Breathing exercise. The first step is to hold your right nostril with your right thumb. The rest of the four fingers will be hanging loose next to your left nostril. Slowly inhale through the left nostril and hold your breath for some time. While inhaling raise your chest and upper body. Before exhaling, block your left nostrils with the other four fingers and exhale from your right nostril. Repeat this for 10-15 times.

These two yoga asanas are extremely useful if a person is suffering from kidney stones. And yoga and pranayama can be practiced even if one has kidney stones, just make sure that you don’t put stress on your abdomen which may hamper your health.