Surya Namaskar
Is your digestion weak? Does food take a long time to move through your digestive tract? Do you often feel bloated or constipated? Do you lack energy in the mornings and feel like it takes hours before your body and mind truly wake up? It may be that the element of fire — the radiant sun within you — has dimmed and needs to be rekindled.
How can we awaken this inner sun every morning and feel its rise within us?
By practicing Surya Namaskar, the Sun Salutation, daily.
What happens when we practice Sun Salutation?
* Many muscles and joints contract and expand, increasing blood circulation and helping toxins move into the lymphatic system for elimination.
* The muscles surrounding the abdominal cavity contract and relax, stimulating the liver, pancreas, stomach, and intestines. This encourages the release of gastric acids, insulin, bile, and digestive enzymes — reigniting the digestive fire (Agni) and restoring healthy digestion, absorption, and elimination.
* The rhythmic movement of abdominal muscles enhances intestinal peristalsis, supporting the downward flow of waste.
* Many serotonin and dopamine receptors are located in the small intestine. By activating the digestive fire through Surya Namaskar, these receptors are stimulated, promoting the release of mood-enhancing hormones. As a result, depression and sluggishness decrease while clarity, alertness, and vitality increase.
The gentle rise of the fire element warms the body and balances the Vata and Kapha doshas.
Who should avoid Sun Salutation?
Those with a Pitta dominant constitution (excess fire element), or individuals who naturally feel overheated, have a fast metabolism, hyperthyroidism, diarrhea, fever, chronic headaches, high blood pressure, or have recently experienced a stroke, should practice with caution or avoid it temporarily. It should also be avoided during menstruation.
When and how much to practice?
The best time to perform Sun Salutation is early in the morning, ideally at sunrise.
Alternatively, it can be done two hours after lunch.
For most individuals, 6 to 12 rounds are sufficient.
What else can we do to strengthen the digestive fire?
Digestive Tea Recipe
Ingredients:
* 1 part fennel
* 1 part cumin seeds
* 1 part green cardamom pods
* ½ part dried rose petals
* ½ part coriander seeds
Instructions:
Mix all ingredients (whole, not powdered) in a large jar using equal proportions — for example, one tablespoon each.
Each time you make the tea, steep one teaspoon of this blend in a cup of boiling water. You may also add:
* 1 teaspoon lemon juice
* 1 teaspoon honey
* A pinch of saffron
* A pinch of salt
Drink one cup every hour starting two hours after your meal until you feel true hunger return. Avoid eating snacks or fruits before that. (Animal-protein meals usually take 5–6 hours to digest, while plant-based meals need about 3–4 hours.)
Replace your coffee, black tea, or green tea with this digestive blend. It not only improves digestion and burns excess fat but also avoids the harmful effects of caffeinated drinks.
For more home remedies and diet guidelines to improve digestion, refer to the Digestion section.
Be full of health
Written by Setareh Kiumarsi
Please make sure to mention the author, “Setareh Kiumarsi,” if you share or republish this article, which was written with hope for everyone’s health and love.
