Yoga for a Healthy Appendix: Best Poses to Practice

Viparita Karani Asana is one of the best asanas to stay fit and healthy. This asana is made up of two words Viparita and Karani. In this, Viparita means 'opposite' and Karani means 'to do'. In this asana, the body has to be turned upside down. This asana can be beneficial for appendicitis patients. By doing this, the abdominal muscles become strong, as well as digestion also improves. The way to do it is given below -

• To do this asana, first spread a yoga mat near the wall.
• Now lie down on your back on this mat.
• Then keep your hips near the wall.
• At the same time, straighten both the legs upwards and keep them close to the wall.
• If it is difficult, you can keep a pillow under the hips.
• During this, keep your hands straight along with the head.
• If you want, you can also lift it up by supporting the waist with your hands.
• Now stay in this position for some time and then come back to normal.
• You can repeat this asana 3-5 times.

(Read more - Yoga for Kidney Stone Relief)

Appendix patients often have difficulty in passing gas, in such a situation doing Pawanmuktasana can prove to be very effective. Doing Pawanmuktasana can relieve constipation and gas, which are symptoms of appendix. Also, doing this asana also gives relief to the stomach, hips and thighs. Doing this asana strengthens the digestive system, which reduces the symptoms of stomach related problems. Method of doing Pawanmuktasana -

• To do this asana, first spread the yoga mat and lie down comfortably on your back.
• Raise both your legs straight up to 90 degrees.
• After this, bend both the legs from the knees.
• Keep the knees and ankles of both the legs together.
• Now hold the feet with both your hands and while breathing try to touch the knees to the chest.
• After this, while exhaling, lift the neck up and put the chin on the chest or knees.
• Stay in this state for 10-20 seconds and keep breathing normally.
• After this, come back to normal state while breathing.
• You can repeat this asana 3-6 times.
• If you have recently undergone any surgery, avoid practicing this asana.

(Read more - Yoga poses for back)

Doing Paschimottanasana can also help in reducing the symptoms of appendicitis. Doing this yogasana improves digestion and relaxes the body. If a person is showing early symptoms of appendicitis, then he can practice this asana. Method of doing Paschimottanasana -

• To do this asana, first spread the yoga mat.
• Sit on this yoga mat with both your legs spread out in front.
• Keep the toes together.
• After this, take a long breath and raise the hands straight upwards.
• Then, while exhaling, try to bend the body forward from the waist.
• Then try to touch the soles of the feet with your hands and the knees with the nose.
• Stay in this position for a few seconds and keep breathing normally.
• Return to normal while breathing and repeat it 3-5 times.
• If you have a problem of sciatica or slip disc, avoid practicing this asana.

(Read more - yoga poses for hips)

Bhujangasana is also known as Cobra Pose. In this asana, the body is raised like the hood of a cobra. Doing Bhujangasana strengthens the abdominal muscles. Doing this asana also improves digestion. Doing this asana daily can help in reducing symptoms like constipation, abdominal pain and gas etc. caused by appendicitis. Bhujangasana is done in this way -

• To do this asana, first spread a yoga mat on the floor.
• Now lie down on your stomach on this mat.
• Spread your legs to the width of the hips.
• Fold your palms from the elbows and keep them along the shoulders.
• Now put pressure on your palms and while breathing, raise your body up to the navel.
• Feel the stretch in the muscles of the back, stomach and neck.
• Stay in this position for a while and breathe 4-5 times.
• Then come back to normal.
• This asana can be practiced easily 3-5 times.
• If there is pain in the stomach and neck, then practice it slowly.

(Read more - Yoga for Digestion)