Yoga for Hernia

[Tom Travis]

Juba,

Here are some questions I have regarding asanas and pranayamas:

1. Can you give details about the stomach vacuum practice. How many
rounds did you work up to? Did you do them sitting or standing?

2. Do you know if Kalabhati is harmful to inguinal hernia? I find
conflicting information on the internet. It seems that mostly,
negative reference to hernias and Kalabhati is made to hiatal and
upper abdominal hernias. Much of the information just refers to
hernia, without specific type.

Thanks!

Tom

[Tom Travis]

Spelling Error

should be Kapalabhati ... not Kalabhati

Sorry!

[Juba]

The "stomach vacuum" can be done standing, sitting or lying, either
flat on the floor or in what I call the "restful position for healing
hernia." I have posted some ideas about it, with illustrations, on the
Hernia Bible forum at the following link:
http://www.groin-hernia.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=568

It is best done when your stomach, bowels and bladder are all empty,
e.g. in the morning after going to the toilet but before having
breakfast. It's even more effective after a day or two, or three or
four, of fasting.

I have never practiced kapalabhati, so I won't comment on that.

Juba

[Juba]

I have posted a 3-minute video of Baba Ramdev doing the "stomach
vacuum" in a seated position (looks like half lotus) on my Hernia
Alternatives Multiply group. Baba Ramdev is a very popular yoga
teacher in India who emphasises pranayama (breathing exercises.)

Follow this link to see the video:
http://herniaalternatives.multiply.com/video/item/3

Juba