STOMACH LIFT IN YOGA

Articles In This Section:

· BASICS OF ASANAS

· SETTING A TIME FOR YOGA

· %DEATH POSE IN YOGA

· RAISED LEGS POSTURE IN YOGA

· SIMPLE POSE IN YOGA

· PERFECT POSE IN YOGA

· BUDDHA POSE IN YOGA

· DIFFICULT POSTURES IN YOGA

· REVERSE POSTURE IN YOGA

· SUPINE POSE IN YOGA

· SHOULDER STAND IN YOGA

· ENTIRE BODY STRETCH IN YOGA

· STANDING POSITION IN YOGA

· STOMACH LIFT IN YOGA

· ABDOMINAL EXERCISE IN YOGA

· ARDJA-MATSYENDRASANA POSE IN YOGA

· TWISTING POSTURE POSE IN YOGA

· BOIV POSTURE IN YOGA

· COBRA POSE IN YOGA

· POSTERIOR STRETCH IN YOGA

· PLOUGH POSE IN YOGA

· HALASANA POSE IN YOGA

· HEADSTAND FOR YOGA GETTING READY

· NEXT STEP IN THE HEADSTAND POSE FOR YOGA

· HEADSTAND POSE FOR YOGA

· FINAL STEP FOR THE HEADSTAND POSE IN YOGA

14. Uddiyana-Banda, or Stomach Lift:

Method: Stand with the knees slightly bent and place your hands, palm down, on your thighs. Breathe in and out, regularly and rhythmically, but more forcibly and longer each time. Finally exhale and continue to do so until every particle of air has been expelled from the lungs. Now raise the chest high and push out. A vacuum has been created inside your lungs and stomach. As you raise your chest, the atmospheric pressure will push your stomach flat until it all but pushes against your spine. Retain this pose for five seconds, then inhale. Repeat once only.

Therapeutic Value: This is one of the most effective exercises known for treating constipation and other digestive complaints. It is not difficult unless you happen to have a specially flabby stomach or suffer from obesity. If so, you will be doubly benefited in time, for as you continue with the Stomach Lift your muscles will be greatly strengthened and the fat will begin to melt. This exercise should always be done in the morning on an empty stomach. It must never be attempted less than two hours after a meal. After you have been doing the Uddiyana-Banda for several days, try drawing up your intestine while raising your chest after exhalation. This will require considerable effort. Retain this position for five seconds, relax and repeat once more. When you are able to accomplish this without effort, increase retention time to ten, twenty and even sixty seconds. However, be sure to inhale and relax the moment you feel the slightest strain. Better still, relax just as you begin to think you will feel fatigue if you continue. In time you will be able to do this exercise while sitting in the Lotus Pose.