The ancient practice of yoga has become popular with people all over the world, including the United States. People of all ages are becoming aware of the benefits of yoga, which includes weight loss, reduction of stress, increase in immunity, boost in stamina, added strength, better flexibility, improved concentration and many more. Certain aspects of yoga, like Viparita Karani benefits the internal body and helps in relaxing the muscles, improve breathing, maintenance of the thyroid gland health and reducing semen or testicular problems to name a few. The pose is also known as the upside down pose. Many people have started practicing yoga, mainly because it helps them to lose weight, at the same time allowing them to enjoy its other benefits. Hence, many fitness centers have started introducing poses in yoga for tummy reduction, trimming and weight loss as a part of a weight watcher’s workout routine. Many women who have recently gone through childbirth have also seen success with certain poses in yoga for tummy loss.
Due to time and financial constraints, there are many people who try to learn the poses, through yoga for tummy reduction videos, which can be easily accessed online. However, in case any of the poses in yoga for a tummy reduce are practiced incorrectly, they could have an adverse effect on the body. Hence, it is best to learn these poses through a qualified and experienced yoga guru. Moreover, these poses should always be practiced under the guidance and supervision of the instructor, at least until some degree of mastery has been achieved. Fortunately, there are quite a few yoga studios too, that hold special classes on poses and techniques in yoga for tummy fat, just so that people can learn how to lose weight through yoga. - Surya Namaskaar (The Sun Salutation)
- Balasana (The Child Pose)
- Bhujangasana (The Cobra Pose)
- Dhanurasana (The Bow Pose)
- Halasana (The Plough Pose)
- Naukasana (The Boat Pose)
- Pawan Mukhtasana (The Wind Relieving Pose)
- Sarvangasana (The Shoulder Standing Pose)
- Savasana (The Corpse Pose)
- Ustrasana (The Camel Pose)
- Uttanasana (The Forward Bending Pose)
- Vyaghrasana (The Tiger Pose)
These yoga poses are ideal for those people who are overweight, but are otherwise in excellent health. People suffering from any preexisting medical condition should consult a doctor and a yoga trainer before trying any of them. People who have been through any weight loss surgeries or even cosmetic surgeries for eliminating fat should refrain from using them without getting a doctor’s approval. Some studios also have classes on yoga for tummy tuck or other similar procedures.
Apart from, weight loss, people have been known to use yoga for healing many medical problems too. There are many people who take up poses in yoga for bulging discs. This is a condition that is related to the spine, mainly the lower back or the lumbar. It occurs when a disc of the spine bulges through a crevice. Many people who have a bulging disc refer to it as a sitting bulge, because they tend to feel it, when they are sitting down on a chair or a sofa. As soon as the symptoms of a bulging disc are noticed it is absolutely essential for people to consult a doctor and undergo a few diagnostic tests, so that the appropriate treatment for the condition can begin. The treatment of this condition usually involves medication, injections, rest and physical therapy. Some health experts also advise patients to practice certain poses in yoga for bulging disc.
Yoga Poses for Bulging Discs
In our society, there are lots of opportunities for repetitive forward bending: child care, yard work, housework, shopping. Even sedentary tasks may exert strain on the lower back. The greater the weight being lifted (and the weight of one's own body), the greater is the pressure on the disc. Subsequently, forward bending activities, those in particular combined with lifting, are the most common cause of back strain or "bulging disc". While much less serious than disc injuries, this condition is responsible for most of our lower back pain, including that Monday morning ache after weekend gardening.
In some cases, people suffering from bulging disks may feel pain in their shoulders or the upper part of the back, close to the neck. In such instances, there are certain poses in yoga for bulging discs in neck too, which can be recommended by yoga trainers. While many health experts do recommend yoga for bulging lumbar discs, people should not take it upon themselves to practice yoga, without getting a go ahead from a medical health care provider.
There are many people who assume that yoga poses for a herniated disc are the same for the bulging disc. However, since both the conditions are not the same, it is only natural that the poses in yoga for herniated discs will be different. Herniated discs are generally the result of trauma or an injury to the spine. People could suffer from the problem of herniated discs in the neck or back. Herniated discs symptoms usually include pain and numbness or even weakness in one of the arms or legs. There are many people who do not even experience any of the herniated discs symptoms. However, people who are suffering from this problem are advised to undergo herniated discs treatment as soon as possible. Fortunately, most people do not need to undergo herniated discs surgery to correct this problem; many doctors advise patients to take the required medication, undergo therapy (physical, heat and cold) and get an adequate amount of rest. There are also many herniated discs exercises that can help people alleviate the pain and discomfort. These exercises also include yoga poses, such as:
- Balasana (The Child Pose)
- Tadasana (The Mountain Pose)
- Ardha Urdhava Mukha Svanasana (The Half Upward Facing Dog Pose)
- Utthita Parsvakonasana (The Side Angle Pose)
- Virabhadrasana II (The Warrior Pose II)
- While these asanas (poses)
While these asanas(poses) are recommended for people who have herniated discs, they should never be used on their own, without getting an approval from a doctor. Moreover, in case of herniated discs in children or during pregnancy, it is absolutely essential to seek medical help immediately.
Yoga Asanas for Bulging Discs
Probably the best-known leg stretches are sitting forward bends. They are therefore likely to be included in a beginning stretch routine, whether in a public Yoga or aerobics class, or in a book or video. However, a Yoga practice with too much emphasis on aggressive forward bending can also be risky.
To check your readiness, first of all, lie on your back with one leg stretched out flat on the floor. Stretch out your other leg up to the ceiling with a straight knee. Look in a mirror or have someone else check in order to see whether you can bring your leg to vertical, perpendicular to the floor, or not. If you can't, your pelvis will be tilted posteriorly in a sitting forward bend.
Six basic poses for bulging discs:
There are certain exercises in yoga bulging disc, which can help reduce the pain and discomfort. It is important for people to remember that bulging disc yoga poses do not treat the condition and hence, should not be used as a substitute for medical treatment. Instead, the poses in yoga for disc bulge can be practiced while undergoing treatment, to make the process more effective. Given below are a few poses in yoga for bulging disk: - Supta Padangusthasana: This is to be practiced with the raised leg up against the wall and the straight leg through a doorway.
- Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana: Practice this pose with the raised leg on a chair back.
- Prasarita Padottanasana: Practise this any way you wish.
- Supta Baddha Konasana: This must be practiced with your pelvis against a wall and feet up on the wall. They should be pressing gently on the thighs.
- Supta Padangusthasana: Do this with your raised leg extended to the side and the foot on a wall.
- Shavasana: Do this with blanket support for the spine.
Once you are ready to begin, start with standing forward bends. The changeover from neutral-spine Prasarita Padottanasana (Widespread Forward Bend) to the version with the head hanging down towards the floor (or, alternately, on the floor) is a good trial. Next go ahead and do Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend). However, you should avoid sitting forward bends, particularly if you have a history of lower back pain or injury. That is, until you are able to stretch your leg straight up to 90 degrees or more. If you are in a class where forward bends are being taught, make sure to substitute some simple leg and hip stretches like Supta Padangusthasana and Supta Baddha Konasana. Once you have passed the 90-degree test and can practice these hanging forward bends without back pain, you are ready to start practicing sitting forward bends safely. You are now ready to reap the restorative benefits of introspection, relaxation, and flexibility. |
