by In a time when pollution levels are reaching new heights, people are eating poorly, have weakened immune systems and stress seems to have taken center stage, it is important to take care of your health. In fact, leading a sedentary lifestyle can even harm your kidney health. Your kidneys play a vital role in filtering waste from your blood, balancing your body’s essential minerals, and regulating your blood pressure. In short, it is an important organ that regulates all the functions of your body. It is therefore essential to take care of your kidneys. You can start with yoga – the ancient holistic practice that helps prevent several conditions. Let’s find out how yoga works for the kidneys.
Besides eating a balanced diet, drinking enough water, and having healthy bowel movements and urine production, you can also try yoga for 10 to 20 minutes every day to keep your overall health in check. Yoga exercises can promote kidney health and help them stay balanced and healthy. Not only does yoga improve your kidney health, it also relieves fatigue and stress. Without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the best yoga poses to reduce the risk of developing kidney problems.
4 yoga asanas to maintain kidney health
Here’s what you can do to keep your kidneys healthy and keep disease at bay:
1. Kapalbhati Pranayama
The body generates a lot of heat, which helps dissolve waste and toxins easily. At the same time, it improves blood circulation, digestion and metabolism and strengthens the functions of the kidneys and liver.
How to do?
1. Sit on a mat with your back straight and your legs crossed.
2. Take a deep breath and exhale as you bring your navel toward your spine. Relaxing your belly button and abdomen allows breath to flow through your lungs.
3. Take at least 20 breaths to complete one round of Kapalbhati Pranayam.
4. Relax your eyes and observe your senses after doing the pose.
5. Do as many rounds as possible.
2. Dhanurasana
Dhanurasana targets your stomach, thighs, ankles, throat and upper body. It improves blood circulation and promotes digestion, liver and kidney function. It can also help patients suffering from diabetes.
How to do?
1. Lie on your stomach on a mat with your feet aligned with your hips and arms.
2. Bring your knees closer to your back and hold your ankles with your hands.
3. Take a deep breath and lift your chest off the floor while keeping your gaze ahead.
4. Hold the pose for 30 to 60 seconds and repeat the pose 10 to 15 times.
5. Return to the starting position if you feel a stretch or pain anywhere.
3. Paschimottanasana
Paschimottasana stimulates the function of the liver, kidneys, ovaries and uterus. It also helps treat constipation, promote digestion and tone the stomach and pelvic organs. Practicing it daily helps balance the menstrual cycle in women and even helps combat conditions like depression, stress, and fatigue while keeping the brain calm.
How to do?
1. Start in Dandasana (stick pose), with your legs extended in front of your body.
2. Bring your arms out to the side and above your head, toward the ceiling.
3. Keeping your legs straight, bend forward at the hips, bringing your upper body to your lower body.
4. Keeping your back straight, try to bring your stomach closer to your thighs.
5. Keep your arms straight and hold your toes or ankles, whichever you can reach.
6. Hold the pose for some time and come back to the original position.
4. Chakrasana
Chakrasana expands your chest and increases the capacity of the lungs. It also boosts the functions of your liver and kidneys, thereby improving blood purification and circulation. It also strengthens the muscles in your arms and legs.
How to do?
1. Lie on your back and bend your knees so that your feet are flat on the floor.
2. Place your hands on the floor just above the shoulders, fingers facing your shoulders.
3. Now lift your upper body off the mat while resting your hands on it.
4. Press through your feet and lift your abdomen, pelvis, and legs off the mat.
5. Make an arc with your body.
6. Breathe in this posture then release your breath. Stay in the posture for some time and return to the initial position.
While these poses can help you monitor your kidney health, it’s important to talk to a doctor before making any changes to your diet.
