Calm Your Skin Naturally: Yoga for Eczema Management

Skin health cannot be seen in isolation from the rest of the body. Skin health is directly related to diet, digestive processes, liver and blood flow condition. Correction of skin disorders is impossible unless the liver and intestines are thoroughly cleansed of metabolic waste. Restoration of skin health through yoga therapy is often primarily directed at affecting digestion and blood circulation. This is because skin disorders are usually associated with more extensive eructation, circulation or metabolic problems. So these must be cured first to restore the skin. It is not enough to suppress skin diseases with medicines and creams, as they only provide temporary relief and not a permanent cure. There are five ways in which yoga can treat eczema.These are:

• Surya Namaskar
• Pranayama
• Shatkarma
• Yoga Nidra
• Proper Diet

Let us know about them, but be careful not to stop your medical treatment, and specific modifications may be necessary in individual cases under the guidance of a skilled Guru.

(Read more - Home Remedies for Eczema)

Surya Namaskar is very beneficial in eczema. Do this until your entire body starts sweating. This will remove all the toxins from your body and purify your body from inside, especially your digestive and circulatory organs. But keep in mind that if your physical capacity does not allow you to do more Surya Namaskars, then do not do more than your capacity. Gradually, when you gain strength and stamina, you can do more Surya Namaskars. Remember not to dry the sweat with a towel, but let it dry on the body during Savasana.

Apart from Surya Namaskar, asanas that massage the endocrine system and the thyroid and parathyroid glands should also be done. Some such asanas are Sarvangasana 

(Read more: What to apply for eczema)

Bhastrika, Kapalabhati and Anulom-Vilom Pranayama should be practiced every morning. Kapalabhati Pranayama removes toxins from the respiratory system and Anulom-Vilom Pranayama increases the oxygen level in the lungs which helps in healing the nerves to a great extent. Pranayama can include Antar Kumbhaka (i.e. holding the breath inside) and Bahya Kumbhaka (i.e. holding the breath outside). Keep in mind that both of these are difficult exercises and should not be done in the beginning. You should do this only under the guidance of a guru. Kumbhaka's Lava Maha Bandha (i.e. all three Bandhas together: Jalandhar, Uddiyana, and Moola) can also be included in Pranayama practice. This is also a difficult task which takes a lot of time to learn. But when you can do it correctly, you will get many benefits from it.

(Read more: Hand Eczema: Types and causes)

The six kriyas of Hatha yoga, Shatkarma, are very powerful. Neti, Kunjal and Laghu Shankh Prakshalana should be performed daily. At the beginning of the complete treatment, one should perform the complete Shankha Prakshalana once under the guidance of a guru. Vaman-Dhauti or Yogic vomiting is a shatkarma or yogic cleansing method. Vaman-Dhauti Kriya balances the Pitta dosha and gives relief from other stomach ailments like heartburn, acid reflux. But remember that Shatkarma should be performed only under the guidance of a guru.

Eczema treatment cannot be complete without Yoga Nidra. Yoga Nidra benefits at three levels – physical, mental, and emotional. And yoga also increases awareness in us. Yoga Nidra reduces your stress level. And stress is a major cause of skin diseases.

(Also see: Atopic Dermatitis)

Eczema patients should take a light vegetarian diet. Sweets, refined, fried and spicy foods should be avoided. Salt and dairy products should also be reduced in the diet. Eggs, wheat products, tomatoes, eggplant, and black pepper should also be avoided. If possible, adopt a sattvic diet. Sattvic food will keep your body light and free from toxins.

Keep these things in mind:

• Remember that relief from yoga practice is achieved only after continuous practice and it is achieved gradually.
• To ensure that joint pain does not increase due to asanas, take the help of objects supporting the body, pillows and other equipment as needed during practice.
• Do not exert yourself beyond your physical capacity. If the pain increases, stop practicing yoga immediately and consult a doctor.

(Read more - 7 Best Creams for Eczema)

Yoga can be a natural and effective way to get relief from eczema. Regular yoga practice reduces stress and anxiety in the body, which are the main causes of aggravating eczema symptoms. Yoga postures, such as Vrikshasana, Bhujangasana and Vajrasana, improve blood circulation in the body and increase the supply of oxygen to the skin, thereby reducing inflammation and itching. In addition, yoga techniques such as pranayama and meditation strengthen the body's immune system and improve skin health. Yoga brings balance to the mind and body, which can be helpful in controlling skin problems like eczema.