How To Get Rid Of Nausea With Yoga

If you think practicing yoga for nausea is a good idea…you are right! Nausea is that sickening pukish feeling that can knock on your door anytime as a result of stomach flu, motion sickness, or a number of other reasons. But what if we told you that you can relieve yourself of nausea within a matter of minutes? Yes, all it takes is performing four yoga asanas. Are you up for it? In this article, we find out how yoga helps treat nausea and the four yoga exercises to perform. Keep reading!

What Is Nausea?

Nausea is a non-specific symptom. This means that it has many causes. It is a discomfort in the upper stomach that leads to an involuntary urge to vomit. Although nausea can precede vomit, it isn’t necessary that you will vomit if you have nausea. If nausea is prolonged, it becomes exhausting.

How Does Yoga Help With Nausea?

When you practice yoga, blood circulation is enhanced. This means more oxygen is circulated throughout your body. This helps to refresh and rejuvenate your system. With regular practice, imbalances are regulated, and toxins are flushed out. This reduces the sensations that nausea brings with it and provides relief. Additionally, yoga promotes relaxation that may help regulate the stress hormones responsible for affecting digestion and causing nausea and vomiting (1) (2). The gentle stretching in yoga may also improve muscle toning and benefit your overall health.

Scroll down to learn some effective yoga poses for relaxation that can help when you feel nauseous.

Effective Yoga Poses For Nausea Relief

Yoga is a natural and gentle way to soothe nausea. The poses mentioned below are easy to perform. If done correctly, they promote relaxation, improve digestion, and enhance circulation to alleviate nausea symptoms. Read on!

1. 1. Supta Virasana
   2. Viparita Karani
   3. Baddha Konasana
   4. Deep Breathing
   5. Paschimottanasana
   6. Uttanasana

1. Supta Virasana

This is one of the most effective yoga poses for nausea. When you practice this asana, the weight of the diaphragm is lifted off the liver and stomach. This gives them more space and time to recuperate. Your body is relaxed, and stress and tension are relieved. When you combine the pose with deep breathing, you feel better in an instant.

Quick Tip

It is best to use props like bolsters and blocks to do this pose and focus on your breathing when you feel nauseous. Also, avoid this pose if you have a knee or ankle injury.

2. Viparita Karani

The Legs Up The Wall Pose is a comforting asana. It removes stress and fatigue in a matter of minutes. This asana calms your body while regulating imbalances. Your stomach is well oxygenated, and therefore, the nausea is reduced. This pose is extremely comforting.

To Know More About This Asana, Click Here: Viparita Karani

3. Baddha Konasana

The Baddha Konasana stimulates the abdominal organs and removes all blocks. When combined with proper breathing, it helps you overcome that horrible feeling of nausea.

4. Deep Breathing

Deep breathing is essential not just when you have nausea, but even otherwise. It calms you down instantly and also flushes out toxins. This peaceful state is highly beneficial for both physical health and mental wellness. Breathe in deeply, such that you fill up fresh air in your lungs and stomach. Breathe out slowly. When nausea strikes, take three deep breaths – you will feel much better.

Quick Tip

Practicing Anulom Vilom breathing is also great for dealing with nausea and stress.

5. Paschimottanasana

Paschimottanasana is a seated forward-bend pose in yoga that allows for a full-body stretch. It lengthens the spine and stimulates the abdominal area to enhance digestion, while the focused breathing helps relieve stress and anxiety. This is a simple, relaxing asana that can help suppress nausea.

6. Uttanasana

Uttanasana is similar to paschimottanasana, except that it is done while standing up. Hence, it is also called the standing forward-bend pose. This pose is better for beginners as it is more accessible for people with limited flexibility. You may take the support of a chair or table if you cannot bend all the way down. It offers the same benefit of relieving nausea. Just remember to keep your back straight as you bend down.

These top yoga poses may provide nausea relief when done right. If you are a beginner performing them, scroll down to the next section for some tips you should keep in mind.

Guidance For Beginners

Here are some beginner tips you can follow while performing yoga for nausea:

• If you are completely new to yoga, perform the poses under the guidance of an expert to ensure proper form.
• Avoid practicing on a full stomach, as this may worsen nausea. Wait for at least an hour or two after eating.
• It is best to practice yoga early morning, on an empty stomach, or at night, a few hours after eating.
• Start slow and listen to your body. For instance, if you cannot touch your toes while doing the Paschimottanasana, do not force it. Go as far as you are comfortable.
• Keep your movements slow and steady to reduce dizziness and unease.
• Focus on your breathing. Always breathe through your nose unless instructed otherwise.
• If you feel thirsty during your yoga practice, take small sips of water. It is also important to stay hydrated throughout the day to feel more comfortable and reduce nausea symptoms. You may also consume herbal teas to aid digestion.

Infographic- Best Yoga Poses To Relieve Nausea

Nausea is discomforting but can be easily managed with yoga. It not only helps in alleviating the symptoms of nausea but also calms your body and mind. Check the infographic below for a quick round-up of the best yoga poses that may help you relieve nausea quickly. Scroll down!

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Can yoga help with morning sickness?

Yes, research suggests gentle yoga may help alleviate morning sickness (3). However, you should always consult a healthcare provider before starting yoga during pregnancy.

Are there any specific yoga poses to avoid during nausea?

Yes, it is best to avoid poses that involve deep twists or backbends that put additional pressure on the stomach area, such as the camel and wheel pose. It is also best to avoid poses like headstands or shoulder stands involving inversions that may increase dizziness.

Is there a pressure point for nausea?

There are various pressure points, also known as acupoints, for nausea. Some of these within your reach are P6 (a pressure point on the inner side of your wrist), LV3 (a pressure point between your big toe and the toe next to it), ST36 (a pressure point on your lower leg, underneath the kneecap). However, it’s more challenging to find the other pressure points – and warrant guidance from a certified acupressure therapist.

What happens if you feel nauseous every day?

Feeling nauseous daily could signify an underlying condition, like a digestive problem. Make an appointment with your doctor if you’ve been experiencing nausea regularly for more than a month.

How should I sit when nauseous?

Sit up, keep your body upright, and move around as little as possible when you’re feeling nauseous.

How long does nausea usually last?

The duration of nausea depends on its cause. For instance, while nausea associated with stomach flu typically improves within a day, that linked with food poisoning can last up to 48 hours.

Is massage good for nausea?

Yes. One type of massage, called reflexology, is a natural technique to relieve nausea. It helps relieve the unpleasant sensation and instantly treats minor symptoms of nausea. In a study, reflexology was found to lower nausea and fatigue caused by chemotherapy in breast cancer patients (4).

What sleeping position is best for nausea?

When you’re nauseous, lie on your side with your head elevated. It is irrelevant which side you lie on when you sleep, and you can lower your risk of choking if you were to puke while you are dozing.

Feel relief from nausea with this easy yoga stretch routine. Watch this video to learn simple poses to help reduce this discomfort and feel better.

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Sri Yogi AnandE-RYT 500, YACEP

     

Sri Yogi Anand has 24 years of experience in the practical and philosophical aspects of yoga and spirituality. He has been teaching yoga and spirituality through his institution, Adwait Yoga School. He integrates scientific and medical approaches with yoga therapy to help in cases of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and disorders and orthopedic and lifestyle disorders.

Read full bio of Sri Yogi Anand

Shirin MehdiHealth & Wellness Writer

 

Shirin is a health and wellness writer with three years of experience and specializes in writing articles on yoga and has extensive knowledge about the postures of the asanas. Prior to joining Stylecraze, she interned with an advertising firm as a copywriter and as an editorial intern for a luxury fashion magazine.

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Arshiya SyedaCo-Editor-in-Chief

Arshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.

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Moksha GandhiHealth & Wellness Writer

Moksha is a health and wellness writer and a certified diet and nutrition coach. Her passion for science and writing has helped her excel in crafting evidence-based articles. Her previous experience in writing science-based research papers ensures that her articles are grounded in research and provide practical tips that are reader-focused.

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