Hangover? There's an Asana for that!

Remember that old IPhone 3G commercial “there’s an App for that?” Way back when we didn’t know what “apps” were and 3G seemed like enough? Sometimes I feel as annoying as Apple, when someone murmurs something about a physical or mental ailment, my response is usually, “Yoga can fix that!”

While I do believe that Yoga can cure a lot of things, in an effort to stop proselytizing like Jim Jones offering Kool-Aid, I thought I would list my researched data here and get it off my chest. Wait….chest pressure? There’s an asana for that!

In Yoga as Medicine (Timothy McCall MD, 2007), the author addresses the science behind Yoga and its relationship to health and healing.  Written from a physician’s perspective, he writes about his own journey through practice, and then meets many where they are – wanting scientific proof that Yoga, considered a complementary medicine, can heal physical problems. Dr. McCall addresses the ailments faced by many:  anxiety, depression, Chronic fatigue and Fibromyalgia, high blood pressure, insomnia, and even headaches, to name a few.  He cites the research: of 2500 participants who practiced twice a week or more, at least 82 % of those with chronic illness reported and improvement in symptoms.  Yoga has been proven to lower blood sugar, blood pressure, Cortisol (stress hormone) levels, cholesterol and triglycerides, and increase immune and lymph function, lung function, overall circulation, bowel function, and oxygenation of tissues.  Dr. McCall isn’t saying that you should abandon Western medicine and chuck your pills out the window, he is just mentioning that Yoga can help relieve some of the aches and pains naturally, simply by moving and breathing deeply.

Yoga asanas (asana means “seat” in Sanskrit)  are essentially poses.  They are the physical component of a Yoga practice. They are designed to take the body through its entire range of motion.  Most Americans know Yoga by the moves they practice on the mat.  Asanas are but one eighth of the practice (the other components are behavioral and spiritual, don’t get me started here).  Most find that asanas are a nice way to incorporate Yoga into their life, and maybe move on from there.  Many people who have not practiced Yoga think that we yogis contort ourselves into pretzel-shapes.  I have to take off my shoes to count how many times people have asked me if I can put my foot behind my head (and no, I can’t).  According to the Yoga Sutras, which were written almost 3,000 years ago, asanas are ways to move, stretch and strengthen the body. Way back then, practitioners used Yoga to discipline and purify it in preparation for the next life. And lo and behold, it caught on. I personally can’t wait for the next life, and think Yoga is a great daily practice for, yes discipline and (hopefully) purity, but also for mental clarity, stress reduction, and physical toning and strengthening.  The best part about it is that when I am done with my practice, I inevitably feel better than I did before I started.  The common sentiment of my students is “I didn’t want to come, but I am so glad I did!”

That’s where the dreaded hangover comes in. Many people find it hard to get out of bed with the sun and practice, and it’s even harder when you feel yucky.  However, the actions of the asanas are geared to clear out the head and detoxify.  A few sun salutations (and some water, maybe an Advil or two) and you will be feeling like new.  Here are some other yoga “cures” for various ailments:*

• Headache:  Often headaches are caused by tension and eye or brain strain.  Stretching the neck and shoulders can help release that tension. Simply taking a break from whatever you are doing (and locking yourself in the closet to do these exercises) can help as well.  Slowly release ear to shoulder, pressing palm on opposite hand toward the floor. If sitting, try gently pressing thumbs into sinuses at base of skull and release head towards floor.  Address eye strain by rubbing the hands vigorously to warm them, and then place with gentle pressure over the eyes.  Try holding for at least 20 seconds, and repeat. Try chanting “Om” holding the “m” a little longer than usual, feeling the vibration in nose and upper palate.  While these simple asanas may not cure a migraine, regular yoga practice has been known to lower the incidence of migraines in sufferers.
• Anxiety:  When anxiety or even nervousness seems to take over, it’s important to try to tune inwards, restore the deep belly breath (Ujjayi) and practice letting go. When anxiety gets stirred up, the muscles around the abdomen can tighten, actually preventing the deep belly breath. Ease yourself into it slowly.  Try inhaling for a count of three beats, exhaling for three, and eventually extending the cycle to five counts. Or try crocodile breathing (on belly, toes long off the mat, forearms stacked, head resting on forearms): pressing the belly into the mat on the inhale, contracting toward the spine on the exhale.
• Insomnia:  Worrying about not getting enough sleep can keep you up at night!  Yoga teaches you to give your best effort and then let go of any attachment to the results.  Let go – as hard as it is, try accepting sleeplessness, rather than worrying about how rotten you will feel in the morning.  Then try belly breathing, with the breath counting (above).  Walk your muscles through contraction and relaxation, starting with the feet.
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome or other digestive issues: Assuming you have seen your health care provider for this issue if it has become constant or bothersome, the occasional constipation/diarrhea cycle may be helped by a regular yoga practice. Often an overly active sympathetic nervous system and an underactive parasympathetic nervous system can be balanced by various asanas, as well as meditation and relaxation.  Standing, try inhaling arms up over head, releasing with a big exhale to forward fold, inhaling up again, and releasing to the side (one arm out, one arm back). Repeat several times. Seated, try reclined bound angle or cobbler’s pose with a bolster under the knees.

This is just a sampling of many issues that can be alleviated by a regular practice. More chronic issues such as High Blood Pressure, Fibromyalgia, Multiple Sclerosis, Menopause, overweight/obesity, Arthritis, Cancer and others are addressed in the book.

Meanwhile, there isn’t much, even a hard night of partying, that Yoga can’t fix. Just bring water. And maybe some Advil. 

* Make sure to consult your healthcare provider for any condition that is worrisome or is not going away.

Comments

[Jim Ryan]

Nice Post!

Yoga has help cure me of all of the above!