Yoga can help balance the nervous system and treat vertigo. Try performing these yoga asanas -- They help!
Vertigo can make you feel dizzy and unbalanced. It is characterised by a sensation of spinning. If you suffer from vertigo, yoga can help you feel grounded and balanced. Yoga helps counter vertigo by activating the nervous system and building concentration and focus. The yoga asanas also helps stimulate the sympathetic nervous system and improve blood circulation from the head to other parts of the body.Deepak Sharma, yoga and meditation teacher, Art of Livingrecommends performing these asanas to fight vertigo.
1. Balasana or the child’s pose: You can try restorative yoga poses like the child’s pose to get relief from dizziness. If your knees hurt, you can place a blanket under your thighs and then perform this pose. Hold the child’s pose for as long as you can.
2. Viparita karini or legs up the wall: This pose can calm your mind and help you get relief from vertigo. However, do not elevate your hips in this pose and practise it with your hips on the ground instead. Stay in this pose for at least five minutes.
3. Nadi shodhan pranayama: The deep breathing balances the nervous system while strengthening the respiratory system and enriching the blood with oxygen.
4. Salamba sirsasana or supported headstand: Apart from curing vertigo, salamba sirsasana helps induce relaxation and fight stress. It can also contribute to overcoming problems of the kidneys, liver, stomach, intestine and the reproductive system. Hold this pose for 6-7 deep consecutive breaths.
5. Supta baddha konasana or reclined bound angle pose: The reclined bound angle pose calms the nervous system and reduces stress. It also helps strengthen and open up the neck, shoulder, back and ab muscles. A healthy blood flow to the brain helps cure vertigo and this yoga pose does that. Try to hold the position for 3-4 minutes.
Precautions
If you suffer from vertigo, you need to perform the forward bends with care. Do not perform sudden forward bends like downward facing dog. Also, ensure that you stand and sit up slowly when you are performing the forward bending postures to prevent dizziness.
If you are performing any balancing postures, ensure that you perform it close to a wall for stability.
Always be mindful about the placement of your neck. When you are practising asanas like the triangle pose look forward instead of looking up.
Do not perform back bending yoga poses that requires you to flex your neck. Performing them could make you feel dizzy.
Also, never hold your breath while you perform the yoga asanas. If you ever feel dizzy while practising them, always come back to child’s pose.
Courtesy: The Health Site
