“Is there any simple yogic remedy for an enlarged prostate?” tabloid! reader Tanvir Kanji wrote to us recently. So, this week I will focus only on the prostate gland.
Tanvir, this is a common problem that men encounter and yoga can be very effective in preventing and rolling back the degeneration of the prostate gland.
Let’s first understand the prostate gland instead of what the gland does.
A tiny gland, the size of a walnut, it is found at the base of the bladder in men that secretes an alkaline fluid during ejaculation. This fluid moves and nourishes the semen and gives momentum to the sexual climax.
As a man grows older — generally in his 50s — this gland enlarges and starts adversely affecting the flow of urine. The bladder thickens and becomes weak. Its efficiency reduces as it has to work harder to compensate for the pressure exerted by the enlarged prostate on the urethra. All this leads to men experiencing discomfort while urinating. The problem doesn’t stop there. Due to recurrent infections of the urinary tract, it can also lead to stones in the kidney and cause a gamut of malfunctions.
There are a number of postures and yogic techniques that can help in preventing and controlling prostate-related problems. Regular yoga practice strengthens and tones the muscles in the pelvic region. The stretching and contracting involved in yoga postures shunts huge quantities of blood to the region — the abdominal organs, kidneys, spleen, intestines, bladder — and the gland remains healthy from the increased blood circulation. The deepening of breath, which is essential to yoga, oxygenates the blood and rejuvenates the nerves, tissues, organs and joints. The knots are pushed out and a great burst of energy is released in the system.
Here’s a set of postures that when done sequentially daily will provide relief from prostate problems. In fact, men in general can follow this regime to experience greater vitality, mental alacrity and agility. It will also bring them a much-needed sense of calm and release from the daily stresses of life.
Tip of the week: All the postures should be practised with awareness on the perineum or the root chakra. This helps restore their connections to their foundations, strength and confidence.
Next week: Reader’s queries
This is an interactive series, in which we will bring you practical tips that you want to get on daily living, inspired by the vision of yoga. Write in to tabloid@gulfnews.com with your questions and doubts about how to enhance your current lifestyle through yoga. For more information, call 800-YOGA (9642) or log on to artisticyoga.com
