11 Yoga Poses for Acidity

Acidity has become a common condition because of our lifestyle. Not having time to eat properly, busy schedules, mental stress, anxiety, consumption of toxic substances and fierce competition in daily life have done more damage to our body than we realize! Everyone might have faced acidity problems at some point in their lives. Heartburn and restlessness being some of the many symptoms of acidity. Some of the major reasons your stomach is producing excess acid are because of:

• Not having a well-balanced diet
• Smoking
• Consumption of alcohol 
• Excessive stress and even
• Consumption of caffeine 

There are a lot of home remedies available for curing and preventing acidity, especially in an Indian household. Yoga is one of them! You can cure acidity by practicing specific yoga asanas. It is considered to be one of the easiest and natural cures for acidity. From improving your digestion to reducing the stress that causes acidity, yoga works like a charm! You can practice these yoga asanas daily, and it is easily doable at your home without much equipment. These asanas are really simple and are ideal for yoga beginners. Don't worry, it's not neck bending, twisting complicated! You can easily follow the steps and do these yoga asanas. 

1. Paschimottanasana - Seated Forward Bend

• Start by sitting and stretching your legs in front of you with your core engaged and your spine straight. Keep your hands at your side.
• Now try to touch your toes. If comfortable, then try to hold your toes. 
• Return to the original position after holding it for about three minutes.
• Do this about 5-6 times.

2. Supta Baddha Konasana - Reclining Butterfly Pose

• Lay down on the floor with your feet extended. 
• Now, bend your knees and touch the soles of your feet together. 
• Bring the heels closer and engage your abs. 
• Place your hands on your sides with your palms down on the floor. 
• Hold this position for about two minutes and return to the original position.
• Repeat it 8-10 times.

3. Bitilasana Marjaryasana- Cat Cow Pose 

• First, stand on all fours.
• Then lift your chin and tail bone up by inhaling. Push your belly toward the floor. 
• Exhale and round your spine, dropping your chin and tailbone down towards the floor. 
• Return to the original position and repeat five times.

4. Vajrasana- Thunderbolt Pose or Diamond Pose

• Start by sitting down, then bend your knees and sit on your buttocks. 
• Keep your hands on your knees and close your eyes. 
• By keeping your spine straight, slowly inhale and exhale. 
• Stay in this position for 5 minutes, then take rest. 
• Repeat it two more times.

5. Ardha Matsyendrasana - Sitting Half Spinal Twist Pose or Half Lord of the Fishes Pose

• Start by sitting straight and stretching your legs forward. 
• Fold your left knee and bring your left foot in a crossed leg position.
• Keep your right leg on top with the right foot in front of the left knee and the right knee raised upward.
• Exhaling, twist to the right and bring your left arm across your right knee.
• Keep your right arm at your side or behind your back.
• Hold this for about a minute and come back to the original position.
• Repeat this on the other side.

6. Pavanamuktasana - Wind-Relieving Pose

• Lay down on your back with your feet together and arms beside your body. 
• Then, bring your right knee towards your chest and press the thigh on your abdomen with clasped hands. 
• Lift your head and chest off the floor and try to touch your chin to your right knee.
• Hold this position for a few breaths and then relax.
• Repeat this pose with the other leg and then with both the legs together.
• Repeat 3-5 times.

7. Ustrasana - Camel Pose

• Start by sitting on your knees and bending backward.
• Hold ankles with your hands and bend your head and neck backward.
• Hold for 6-10 seconds in the posture and then back to the starting position.
• Repeat it 4-5 times.

8. Adho Mukha Svanasana - Downward Facing Dog Pose

• Come on all fours with your hands shoulder-width distance and your knees hip-width distance.
• Then slowly lift your knees off the floor, bringing them in line with your ankles. 
• Keep your knees bent and slowly straighten to your spine. 
• Stay for a few breaths and then come back down to the starting position.

9. Bhujangasana - Cobra Pose

• Start by lying down flat on your stomach.
• Place your palms flat on the ground directly and bend your elbows, hugging them into your sides.
• Inhale to lift your chest off the floor. Roll your shoulders back and make sure your elbows continue hugging your sides.
• Keep your neck neutral. Don’t crank it up. Your gaze should stay on the floor.
• Come back to the first position with an exhale.
• Repeat it 2-3 times.

10. Nadi Shodhan pranayama - Alternate Nostril Breathing

• Sit comfortably with your spine straight and shoulders relaxed. 
• Place your left hand on the left knee with your palm facing upward.
• Place the tip of the index finger and middle finger of the right hand in between the eyebrows, the ring finger and little finger on the left nostril, and the thumb on the right nostril. The ring finger and little finger are to open or close the left nostril and the thumb for the right nostril.
• Press your thumb down on the right nostril and breathe out gently through the left nostril.
• Now breathe in from the left nostril and then press the left nostril gently with the ring finger and little finger. Removing the right thumb from the right nostril, breathe out from the right.
• Continue this for 7-9 breaths.

11. Kapalbhati Pranayam

• Sit comfortably with your spine straight. 
• Place your hands on your knees with your palms facing upward.
• Take a deep breath.
• Now exhale and pull your navel towards your spine. 
• Exhale actively and forcefully. Keep your right hand on the stomach if you want.
• Do this for 20 breaths. 

These yoga asanas will help you immensely, but make sure to maintain your diet, stress and everything else with this. It is just as important!