• Welcome to Crohn's Forum, a support group for people with all forms of IBD. While this community is not a substitute for doctor's advice and we cannot treat or diagnose, we find being able to communicate with others who have IBD is invaluable as we navigate our struggles and celebrate our successes. We invite you to join us.

Yoga for stomach pain?

I see some info on the site about joint pain reduction through yoga, but I'm looking for something that specifically targets stomach pain/cramping/constipation/bloating. I know of the wind removing pose but I was hoping to find a whole routine. Thanks all.

-Bobby
 

Gianni

Moderator
I want to get into yoga and I keep meaning to take a class:) I do know that yoga can help with the whole digestive system but I unfortunately do not know the specifics.

I'm going to tag sid. He should be able to answer this question more thoroughly.

Gianni
 
Hi,

Yoga can definitely help in stomach pain, cramps and bloating. In fcat all these are common DC symptoms and you need the yoga that targets the root of the problem. To start of with you need asanas ( the yogic exercises that improves the physical health).
There are many asanas for different problems but there are many that target the stomach and the digestive system, I have mentioned few simple asanas that target to improve your digestive system

1.vajrasana
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bb9GfkKjm4A

2.Pawanmuktasana(in englsih means the asana that makes the stomach free of air)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLL7Y5QDBds

3.Agnisara
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWCP3XYK9MM

4.halasana
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gnmUeySOmk

5.dhanurasana.(you may start it later, as this one needs more practice to perfect it)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCuSE4oS9xc


Now there are hundred of asanas and atleast 20 other asnas that target your digestive system. But these are the best one to start off with and are mainly for the problems that you havementioned like gastritis, bloated stomach,pain. cramp,pain.etc. These wil also help in clean bowel movement.

I am posting few videos of these asanas but before you start yoga or asanas or pranayam make sure you are prepared for it..you ned to follow fe rules..like ..
1.A;lways practise these yogas or asanas in empty stomach..especially early in the morning...in case you do it in the evening..make sure you have not eaten anything for atleast 4 hours.
2. To get he best results always do it in a peaceful environment..keeping your mind calm..and preferably in an open space where there is fresh oxygen(thats not really important if you dont get that kind of an environment)
3. after asanas do not eat anything for 20 minutes.

Thats it !, hope that helps.

EDIT : Oh forgot to mention..once you do these asanas perfectly ..you may move to nauli kriya...but do not do this if you have any heart desease or stomach ulcer.
 
Last edited:

FullM3lt

Activate CB2
Location
Pacific NW
I used this when I had issues, it always seemed to help.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3_23mScDWE

There's plenty of videos on youtube for free you can try out if you don't have time to attend a class or don't have the cash to buy some dvds.
I've been doing some of these youtube yoga "classes" for a week and I don't feel any gut relief, but I am more relaxed. Maybe I just need to be patient, I'll give this video a try today :ysmile:
 
I used this when I had issues, it always seemed to help.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3_23mScDWE

There's plenty of videos on youtube for free you can try out if you don't have time to attend a class or don't have the cash to buy some dvds.
Just tried. Honestly, the rests were so long, especially the second one lol. And then after that it was just meditating. I know that's important, but I wanted to do a lot of movement lol. It was a good started one thought, thanks.

I'll have to check out the others posted/research on my own.
 

David

Co-Founder
Location
Naples, Florida
I'm a certified yoga teacher and frankly, other than simple breathing exercises and meditation and the Joint Freeing Series, I'm wary of giving a list of traditional asana to do without being able to ask the student a whole heck of a lot of questions so we can find out what is right for them. And even then it's so important to have a trained teacher who can help you with corrections.

There are SO MANY absolutely terrible videos out there for, "Yoga for Crohn's Disease" and such. And it makes me furious. There are so many contraindications for people with Crohn's and the people putting out these videos obviously know nothing about Crohn's or IBD.

The best advice I can suggest is finding a yoga teacher in your area who understand Crohn's somehow and is an EXCELLENT teacher. That may be hard to do :( But call around to the studies. Tell them you have Crohn's disease and you need a master teacher who understands what that entails.
 
I'm a certified yoga teacher and frankly, other than simple breathing exercises and meditation and the Joint Freeing Series, I'm wary of giving a list of traditional asana to do without being able to ask the student a whole heck of a lot of questions so we can find out what is right for them. And even then it's so important to have a trained teacher who can help you with corrections.

There are SO MANY absolutely terrible videos out there for, "Yoga for Crohn's Disease" and such. And it makes me furious. There are so many contraindications for people with Crohn's and the people putting out these videos obviously know nothing about Crohn's or IBD.

The best advice I can suggest is finding a yoga teacher in your area who understand Crohn's somehow and is an EXCELLENT teacher. That may be hard to do :( But call around to the studies. Tell them you have Crohn's disease and you need a master teacher who understands what that entails.
im a dorming college student in a small town so its a bit hard. i was looking for some simple things to do in my room. perhaps a bit too bright-eyed
 
I found the Bikram Yoga "wind removing pose" done on a daily basis *twice morning, twice evening" keeps bloating in control, and reduction of other symptoms you noted. Belly rubs on top of that and you will keep blood circulating in the area; thus reducing the pain/bloating. good luck!
 
I'm a certified yoga teacher and frankly, other than simple breathing exercises and meditation and the Joint Freeing Series, I'm wary of giving a list of traditional asana to do without being able to ask the student a whole heck of a lot of questions so we can find out what is right for them. And even then it's so important to have a trained teacher who can help you with corrections.

There are SO MANY absolutely terrible videos out there for, "Yoga for Crohn's Disease" and such. And it makes me furious. There are so many contraindications for people with Crohn's and the people putting out these videos obviously know nothing about Crohn's or IBD.

The best advice I can suggest is finding a yoga teacher in your area who understand Crohn's somehow and is an EXCELLENT teacher. That may be hard to do :( But call around to the studies. Tell them you have Crohn's disease and you need a master teacher who understands what that entails.
True. A certified yoga teacher is needed for doing yoga. But few simple asanas can be done by everyone at home for fitness and health. If you see I have mentioned basic and simple asanas that can be performed very easily at home without much scope of error...and also the videos posted are from one of the best yogi in India.:thumleft:
 

David

Co-Founder
Location
Naples, Florida
im a dorming college student in a small town so its a bit hard. i was looking for some simple things to do in my room. perhaps a bit too bright-eyed
I don't think you're being too bright-eyed and commend you for incorporating additional means of controlling your disease! :) I just see videos out there where the teachers are having students do major twists and other intense "asana to improve digestion" because they seem to think that's all people with Crohn's Disease need. If seeking a great teacher isn't viable for you, then go with your instinct. The breathing and meditation exercises are great. The wind removing pose Mickey and others speak of shouldn't cause any problems. But if you feel ANY pain (not the, "ooh, this is a good stretch" pain the, "Ooh, that kinda hurts" pain) then stop doing what you're doing.
If you see I have mentioned basic and simple asanas that can be performed very easily at home without much scope of error...and also the videos posted are from one of the best yogi in India.:thumleft:
I did a quick look at the videos you posted and don't have any problem with them. Thanks for sharing those :)
 
I got a question, i was told by two separate Dr's to try yoga for stress relief, so i got myself a dvd to try every morning.. I've only been doing it for a week but it seems my bowel habits have increased, today i had to go 11 times! :poo: Am i doing something wrong? It usually starts about 30min after practice.. is this normal? :sign0085:
 

David

Co-Founder
Location
Naples, Florida
It may be purely coincidental. Try not doing the yoga for 2-3 days and see if your gut calms back down. If it does calm down, we can take a harder look at what you're doing. If it doesn't calm down, then there's a pretty good chance it's not the yoga practice.
 
I didn't do it this morning, will see how it goes today, I really enjoy it :) if it wasn't for the loo runs otherwise it makes me feel great :) it really works for your posture too ..
 
Location
Ontario
I tried Bikrams yoga for about a 4 month period, 2-3 times a week last year and honestly it made my abdominal pain worse rather than better, in rabbit pose I felt like my insides were going to burn out of me and I never got over the feeling. I stopped going, I go to a yoga class at my gym now that's a mix of different styles, but I do it more for my flexibility than anything else.
 
Top