Anaemia occurs when there is a reduced number of red blood cells or a low amount of haemoglobin in the blood and is a very common disorder mainly found in women. It comes in a variety of forms, but the most common types are caused by iron deficiency. Treatments vary for this problem, but it has been found that through therapeutic yoga, the red blood cell count can be increased and can help for overall blood purification in the body and absorption of iron into the bloodstream. Yoga is a great alternative to medicine, and when practiced on a very regular basis, it has been found to make a huge difference in lives of many who suffer from the symptoms associated with anaemia. Through the combination of mastering breathing techniques and the right yoga poses, bone marrow is stimulated to produce more red blood cells and improve the overall circulatory system.
Increasing circulation through yogic breathing exercises
Many people who live with anaemia, will know that poor circulation is a very common occurrence. This will happen usually in the extremities; the hands and feet, which will feel cold to the touch. A very successful method of promoting better circulation can be achieved by mastering yogic breathing exercises or pranayam.
Learning these techniques is an important part of the journey to recovery from certain symptoms. Practicing first ujjayi breath, then moving to suryavedna pranayam will help to maximise the oxygen to the bloodstream and start a more complete circulation throughout the body.
Yoga poses
For many who suffer from anaemia, it can be hard to become motivated and energised about doing exercise. Yoga is great in this respect, especially for people who find themselves experiencing lethargy because of the low oxygen levels in their bloodstreams. Yoga is a slow form of exercise, which teaches yogis how to breathe but also what movements to make to target particular ailments they may be facing. Anaemia and malabsorption of iron are issues that can be tackled during a yoga session. Slow movements like paschimottanasana (seated forward fold) and savasana (corpse pose) can help to lessen fatigue.
For those feeling like they have a little more energy after a session of yoga, a shoulder stand, or sarvangasana, could be attempted. This movement is well known to increase circulation within the body as well as promote the production of red blood cells.
An ayurvedic look at anaemia
The ayurvedic approach to looking at anaemia is to see where it might originate within the body, or where the issues might lie that are the root causes of the malabsorption of nutrients.
It is paramount, to first make sure a good diet is in place. This will help to promote a healthy digestion and absorption of vital nutrients. From an ayurvedic point of view, what a practitioner will be looking at is the pitta dosha and making sure this is balanced correctly. Simple lifestyle and dietary changes will be put in place to make sure that it can be well balanced and correctly maintained.
How Clinical Yoga Therapy (CYT) can help
If you too are diagnosed with anaemia and experiencing any symptoms that you may be having trouble managing, our Clinical Yoga Therapy session can be of use to you. We go through methods and techniques that you can do at home to help minimise the issues caused by anaemia and malabsorption of nutrients. This is an intimate gathering, where we explore your individual symptoms and bring to light some ways to cope with them and to alleviate the issues for long-term health solutions.
We are holding the session on the 30th June book your place now, or contact us if you have any questions about the session.
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