YogMantra | Diwali Revelry Done, Yoga Guru Hansaji Shares Quick Fix To Restore Balance – News18
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Take a look at some Yoga-based tips to help rid the body of toxins and to restore strength after the Diwali din has quietened
Most people suffer from constipation, acidity and heartburn after extended festivities and hence, it’s important to eat later in a balanced state, without too much excitement or getting carried away. (Getty)
The festival of Diwali, or Deepawali, is associated with happiness, loads of excitement and festivities. Over the years, celebrations have become increasingly high-voltage, starting weeks in advance. They include Diwali parties, shopping, the home-decor enthusiasm, courtesy calls and socialising, gifting — culminating in the five-day festival that involves rituals and feasts.
Once the excitement has subsided, do we realise how much we’ve stretched and overworked the body? The mind is overstimulated too. Digestion and throat issues end up being the norm post-Diwali, which is also a period of seasonal change. There is also irritability — the result of an overstimulated mind.
We asked renowned Yoga Guru Dr Hansaji Yogendra, director of The Yoga Institute and president of Indian Yoga Association — who has been de facto counsellor to multitudes of householders for decades — to recommend practices that can help restore balance in our systems.
Here are some Yoga-based tips she shared to help rid the body of toxins and to restore strength.
KEEPING THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM SAFE AND STRONG
The weather is changing and, to add to it, there is pollution in the air from crackers. Hansaji suggests making a habit of wearing a mask when going out. This will prevent the highly polluted air from affecting your throat and sinuses.
Remember this principle: Take only short breaths outdoors. However, when you come across an open area or some place with greenery and many large trees, take long and deep breaths to strengthen the lungs and make them resilient.
Keep the windows in the house closed for a week or more to keep the pollution out. If you need to run the air-conditioner during this period, make sure it is at body temperature and not cooler than that.
Three practices to do:
Jalaneti, Kapalabhati, Kapalarandhradhouti are Kriyas for cleansing the nasal passage and sinuses. These can be learned under expert guidance and practised daily.
• In Jalaneti, warm salt water is sucked in through one nostril and released through the other.
• Kapalabhati involves deep inhalation, and short and forceful exhalations.
• For Kapalarandhradhouti, place the thumb on the temple and massage your forehead with three fingers; move to massaging the area around the eyes in a circular motion with two fingers; sliding the fingers back and forth, massage behind the ear and the front of the ear. Also massage the neck with upward strokes.
REBUILDING THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM’S HEALTH
Sweets, dried fruits, nuts and fried items are all important for nutrition at this time of the year, from the point of energy-storage for the upcoming winter months. But that said, they must be eaten in the right quantities.
However, nowadays, Diwali feasting is not restricted to eating these nutrient-dense foods. The extended parties and socialising entail much eating, drinking and making merry. We overeat, day after day, without a break. Most people suffer from constipation, acidity and heartburn after extended festivities.
In Yoga, we emphasise awareness. Like in all actions, eating must also be done in a balanced state, without too much excitement or getting carried away.
Now, for at least two weeks, make a conscious choice to drink something every two hours. Opt for soups, pomegranate juice and buttermilk and add liquids to your system throughout the day.
You could also have a herbal drink like Amla (gooseberry) juice, or a herbal tea made with ginger and tulsi leaves, to which even Paan (betel) leaves can be added. Boil all these together in water and allow to cool. Add a little honey or milk.
Three Asanas that help digestion and effective elimination:
• Pavanmuktasana (Anti flatus pose). The gentle pressure of the folded legs against the abdomen helps quicken the movement and expulsion of intestinal flatus, cures chronic constipation, a sluggish liver, and strengthens the functioning of abdominal organs.
• Bhujangasana (Cobra pose). This is a well acclaimed gut-strengthener exercise. The organs of digestion get a gentle massage, which stimulates and strengthens them. The exercise to the abdomen also improves blood circulation in the entire area.
• Abdominal or diaphragmatic breathing. One of the best practices to do regularly after Diwali, or any period of overstimulation and overeating. Lie on the back, knees folded, feet close to the hips and place the hands gently on the abdomen. Inhale gently, moving the belly upwards, and completely exhale while being aware of the deflating abdomen. The breathing should be comfortable, not exaggerated, slow and steady.
The practice helps the digestive system, relaxes the entire body and nervous system, and leads to inner quiet.
RESTORING ENERGETIC BALANCE
Nowadays, people are always hurrying, not just on Diwali. This means the mind is always overactive. The solution is to take out 10 minutes to sit in a corner in the house undisturbed and spend that time by yourself. Let this be your idea of ‘me-time’. Simply sit in Sukhasana (Easy pose) and quieten the mind. Be aware of your posture where the back is straight and the entire body is relaxed.
Light an incense or use an aroma diffuser and focus on the fragrance, passively. Or you could just watch your breathing as it goes into the body and out. These are all forms of simple meditation.
Three practices for relaxation and renewal:
• Sukhasana, as described above.
• Savasana (Corpse pose) is a great relaxation technique where all voluntary muscles are progressively and completely relaxed. This relieves all muscular and nervous tension. The relaxation of voluntary muscles also transfers energy to the involuntary parts and renews their strength.
• Makarasana (Crocodile pose) is a prone position (lying on the belly) that induces deep relaxation, removes stress, and leads to improved digestion and reduced inflammation.
The author is a journalist, cancer survivor and certified yoga teacher. She can be reached at swatikamal@gmail.com.
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