Best yoga asanas to help prevent arthritis: Dr Ashwini Konnur

The age-old science of Ayurveda offers relief from a number of diseases. Ayurveda has identified that excess vata (air element in the body) provokes joint pain. Arthritis refers to pain in joints. Symptoms of arthritis include swelling, pain, stiffness and decreased the range of motion.

Arthritis makes it difficult to do daily activities like walking or climbing stairs. It can also cause permanent joint changes. Some types of arthritis also affect the heart, eyes, lungs, kidneys, and skin as well. Causes of Arthritis are varied in nature. It can be caused by injury, abnormal metabolism, inheritance, infections, and an overactive immune system.

Yoga offers excellent options for exercise. At the physical level, the methods comprise various yoga postures or 'asanas' that aim to keep the body healthy. The mental techniques include breathing exercises or ‘pranayama’ and meditation or ‘dhyana’ to discipline the mind.

People with arthritis who are in constant pain can practice yoga and get some relief. Yoga builds muscle strength, joint flexibility, and balance. It helps in improving the range of motion and reduces stress and tension.

Yoga Asanas can improve arthritis by providing motion to the stiff body parts. Various asanas are effective in decreasing pain and toughness in joints if practiced regularly.

1. Sukhasana

This asana is named Sukhasana as it is a relatively simple asana. It involves bending the knees to 90 degrees. It improves body postures and opens up stiff hips. It stretches the spine and provides calmness to the mind. In India, people perform this asana on a daily basis.

2. Trikonasanas

This asana is highly prescribed to arthritis patients. As the name suggests; this asana involves a posture of a triangle. This asana is known to relieve pain in the neck and shoulders. It also provides strength to the knees, ankle, and legs. It helps to improve digestion and provides psychological calmness. It slowly converts stiffness to an easy motion.

3. Veerbhadrasana

This asana is also known as the warrior pose. It aims at increasing the strength to the joints. It releases pressure from frozen shoulders and is extremely beneficial in strengthening arms, legs, and lower back. It also increases the blood supply to the shoulder, hips, cervical region, and ankles. It maintains body balance and increases stamina.

4. Vrikshasana

Vrikshasanarelaxes the mind and improves concentration power. It tones up muscles of the ankles, toes, knees, shoulder joints and hands. It facilitates increasing the blood circulation in the affected joint. It also contributes to toning up of abdomen and stomach muscles.

5. Setubandhasana

This asana is also known as bridge pose. This is a difficult asana to perform. However, it offers a number of benefits. This asana provides assistance in relieving pain and stiffness. It also resolves diseases associated with neck arms and shoulder.

People suffering from arthritis hesitate to move their joints because of pain but movement and improved joint flexibility are one of the best treatments for arthritis. The brilliance of Yoga Asanas or Yoga Poses helps in relieving arthritis pain to a great degree.

6. Sukshmavyayama

This Asana helps to loosen joints in the body. It eliminates energy blockages in joints and the physical body. Sukshmavyayama helps in lubrication of joints for patients suffering from osteoarthritis swell as Rheumatoid Arthritis as all the joints are given rotatory movements in clockwise and anti-clockwise directions.

Dr. Ashwini Konnur, BAMS, YIC, CFN In-house Ayurvedic Consultant, AyurUniverse.