|
By K.M. Kindermann
A healthy body begins with a healthy digestion. Indigestion is
the base of most physical diseases. An efficient digestion nourishes
and sustains every tissue and organ in our bodies. It is our internal
heat that is the foundation of a properly functioning digestion.
When this is strong and balanced we have efficient digestion, energy
and vitality, clarity of mind and robust health. But when our internal
fire is weak our digestion is incomplete and leaves behind toxins,
which interfere with the flow of blood, lymph and energy throughout
the body. When we are unable to rid ourselves of these wastes, toxins
accumulate and lead to disease.
The truth is that most of us could use a digestive tune-up. Here
are a few suggestions.
Activate your solar power. The home of our digestive fire is in
the solar plexus. By generating heat and strengthening the muscles
in this region, we can "fan the fire" and increase our
digestive power. Here's how:
- Get regular exercise. A general rule to follow is to exercise
daily until sweat forms on your forehead, under your arms and along
your spine.
- Strengthen your abdominal muscles. Do sit-ups, crunches
or leg-lifts five to ten minutes a day.
- Before you eat do five minutes of deep, powerful breathing.
At the end of your exhale, use your diaphragm muscle to push all
your air out, relax your belly and let the air flow in into a full,
steady inhale. This activates the body's rest-and-digest response,
relaxing the nervous system and enhancing blood flow into the digestive
organs.
- After you eat sit in Hero's pose for five to twenty minutes:
sit on the floor with your legs folded underneath you so you are
sitting on your heels. Rest your hands on top of your thighs, sit
up straight and take slow deep breaths. If this is hard on your
knees or ankles, place a pillow between your heels and sit on your
bones. This position brings abundant energy and blood flow into
your digestive organs.
- Practice Pranayama. These are breathing exercises that
help build your internal fire and strengthen your abdominal muscles.
One is called Agni Sara in Sanskrit and should be learned under
a qualified practitioner such as a yoga instructor.
- Do yoga. This is an excellent way of covering all of the
above. Ashtanga Yoga is particularly effective in strengthening
your digestion, body, mind and breath.
- Make sure that your right nostril is open. Nostril dominance
relates to the two different sides of our brain, which in turn relate
to our different bodily functions. When the right nostril is open
our energy is more "yang" - hot, aggressive, active, and
ideal for digestion. When the left nostril is open our energy is
more "yin" - cool, passive and calm, ideal for sleeping.
If your nostril dominance changes from right to left mid-meal, stop
eating. This is a subtle signal that your body has had enough.
- Enjoy your food even if it's junk food. Be aware of every
bite and how it feels in your body. Guilt is worse for you than
any food.
- A belly massage with a little tender loving care works wonders
on an upset stomach. Here's a recipe: warm up some organic sesame
oil, find a quiet room, dim the lights and lie down. Take some deep
breaths as you rub the oil on your belly in a clockwise motion for
up to five minutes. This will soothe a gaseous stomach, promote
digestion and help you tune into your body and breath.
The Do's and Don'ts of Eating. It's not just what you eat, it's
how you eat that stokes or chokes your digestive fire. Here are
some tips for effective eating:
Do:
-Eat your largest meal around noon, when your digestive fire is
the strongest.
-Chew your food well, even beverages.
-Follow a balanced, whole-foods diet. Vegetarian foods are easiest
to digest. Too much meat and processed foods tax your digestive
system.
- Fast for at least 12 hours once a week. The easiest way to do
this is to eat a light dinner before 7pm. Have some fruit for desert
and then a big fruit salad for breakfast. This way you have taken
care of most of your fast while sleeping, and the fruit aids in
cleaning out your system. Drink about two litres of water per day
to help flush out toxins.
-Whether you are religious or not, take a moment of silence before
eating to calm your body and prepare it for the nourishment it is
about to receive.
Don't:
- Dilute your digestive juices by drinking cold beverages with meals.
- Overeat. It takes about ten minutes for your brain to register
the signal from your stomach that you are full. Eat slowly so you
can be aware of your body's signals.
- Pollute your system with late-night snacks or junk food.
- Talk or think about upsetting issues while you eat.
Many of us store stress in our digestive organs. When we find life
hard to digest, the food we eat doesn't get digested properly either.
Try to be aware of when you are stressed and where you feel it in
your body. Take deep breaths and think of a soothing colour or image.
Yoga and meditation are wonderful tools for tuning into your body-mind
connection and leading a healthier, happier life.
|
