Bad digestion is the root of all evil – Hippocrates
Digestive disorders are responsible for most of the commonest of ailments. You can check the authenticity of this statement by giving an ear to your own regular complaints – Indigestion, gas, acidity, migraine, headache, bloating etc. The genesis of most of these is the ‘GUT’.
Just one posture can accelerate your digestion process
What if I say that practicing one single posture for 15 minutes immediately after your meal can bring an easy solution to these problems? That’s true! Yoga claims that Vajrasana, one of the classical meditative postures can aid in regulating your digestive system, in the most effective manner, when performed for 15 minutes immediately after the meal. Some of the yogic scriptures go to claim that one should consume their meals while sitting in Vajrasana to help in digestion.
Performing Vajrasana diverts blood flow in abdominal region
Vajrasana, also referred to as Adamantine Pose, Thunderbolt pose or Diamond pose has been a part of many a culture for centuries, be it the Islamic culture, the Japanese culture or the Buddhist culture. The practitioner’s daily routine of sitting in Vajrasana has led to increased flexibility of the muscles & joints of their lower extremities which, in turn, have kept them stiffness free and mobile. Further, it plays a pivotal role in assimilation and absorption of food. In Japan, meal time and the tea ceremony are indulged in while sitting in Vajrasana for the simple reason – it stimulates speedy digestion.
The Scientific Justification
The aforementioned statement might be construed as controversial. Most of the yogic scriptures recommend postures are to be performed on an empty stomach. In this case, Vajrasana is highly recommended immediately after a meal.
The proportion of the blood circulated to different parts of the body is dissimilar. However, this proportion increases or decreases in particular organs as per their engagement or disengagement while performing various activities. For example, blood flow is accelerated in the involved muscles during intensive physical activity, whereas, its predominance is seen in the digestive system immediately after a meal. In simple terms, intestines need more blood flow immediately after a meal to digest food in the most effective manner.
When we perform Vajrasana, the flow of blood is reduced in the legs due to the folded and pressurized position, and thus, is automatically directed to the intestinal region. This not only helps one improve one’s weak digestion but also accelerates the whole process of digestion itself. Indigestion, acidity, migraine, headache, gas, ulcer etc. are automatically taken care of in the most naturalistic manner.
Apart from the above, it is also recommended for sciatica, high blood pressure, diabetes and many other ailments.
Related Blog articles
- “The पद्मासन (Padmasana) – The Destroyer of Diseases“
- “Strides towards Padmasana… Ankle ROM (Part II)”
- “Strides towards Padmasana (Part I)”
For any query, write to “Ask Shammi” on www.shammisyogalaya.com For other blogs on related subject, check www.shammisyogalayablog.com
Shammi Gupta, founder of Shammi’s Yogalaya holds an MA in Yoga Shastra, is a certified Yogic Therapist and Naturopath, has completed an Advanced Yoga Course and holds a Diploma in Yoga Education from Mumbai University. She is a certified trainer from American College of Sports Medicine and holds an MBA in HR & MBA in Finance from The University of Akron, Ohio, USA. She conducts Health Awareness Workshops for Corporate, Yogasana Workshops for Athletes and Yoga Therapy Workshops on different medical issues for patients. Among the celebrities Shammi trains are eminent personalities from the film and television industry and corporate world.