Five Easy Yoga Poses For Common Health Problems

Health

3.For indigestion …
Seated twist (ardha matsyendrasana)

Theseated twist.

Twists gently massage and compress the internal organs. “This compression, followed by release when you come out of the twist, stimulates the digestive organs,” says Sally. Sit on the floor with your right leg extended out in front of you, your spine long.

Place your left foot beside the outside of your right knee, sole on the floor. Tuck your left knee into the crook of right elbow and hug the knee. Placing your left fingertips on the floor behind you, twist your torso to slowly to look over your left shoulder.

On every inhale, lengthen your spine upward. On each exhale, deepen the twist a little further. Hold for five breaths, turn back to face forward and repeat on the opposite side.

4.For anxiety …
Tree pose (vrksasana)

Thetree pose.

Tree pose helps to calm a racing mind and induce concentration. “It helps to find clarity, instead of staying trapped in the thought process,” says Steve. “Your mind must be completely focused on this pose to prevent toppling over, leaving no room for worry.”

Stand with feet hip width apart. Inhale and grow a bit taller. Exhale and draw your shoulders down and belly button in. Roll your shoulders up and back, and bring your palms together in front of your chest. Find a point in front of you to focus on.

Place the sole of your right foot on to your inner left calf. You can stay there or use your hands to place your right sole on your inner left thigh. Keep lifting up tall and make sure the pelvis is in a neutral position. Allow the right knee to relax down.

Hold for up to five slow, deep belly breaths, then use your hands to gently release the foot from the inner thigh. Repeat on the other side.

5.For lower back pain …
Standing forward bend (uttanasana)

Thestanding forward bend.

“This simple bend releases tightness in the lumbar spine using the weight of the head,” says Sally. “It also increases flexibility in the hamstrings down the back of the leg – tight hamstrings can cause lower back problems.”

Stand with feet hip width apart and bend slowly forward, hinging at the hip. Keep a soft bend in the knees to prevent straining the lower back. Aim for resting your hands on the floor, but just go as far as feels comfortable. Allow your arms and head to hang. Breathe deeply and slowly through your nose for a maximum of 10 breaths, then come up slowly, head and shoulders last. Move around a bit to loosen the stretched muscles, then repeat.