Chronic kidney failure (CRF) is a medical condition characterised by progressive renal dysfunction, which affects patient’s quality of life. Recent studies have reported that there is strong association of oxidative stress, chronic inflammation and psychological stress with CRF. Several scientific studies have shown that yoga reduces oxidative stress, psychological stress and inflammation. Thus yoga will prove to be helpful in reducing the need of dialysis and to avoid or delay renal replacement.
Diabetes also has adverse effect on kidneys. According to a WHO study done in 2015, 8.7% of Indian population are living with diabetes. It means 69.2 million Indian people have diabetes and in remains undiagnosed in more than 36 million people. The increase in life expectancy and the spread of diabetes may increase the number of cases of chronic kidney failure.
In such a scenario some yogasanas can prove helpful. Dr Shradha Kokare, 1st year M.D. Scholar in Podar Ayurvedic College is researching the effects of yoga on Chronic Kidney Diseases. “Mutrakshay is the disease of Mutravaha Strotas. In modern times, it can be correlated with chronic kidney disease which is lifestyle disorder. I wanted to study how yoga can be helpful in combatting kidney problems,” said Dr Shradha Kokare.
A regular disciplined yogabhyas can have positive effect on chronic kidney failure. Yogabyas should include these yogasanas.
Vakrasana
- Sit on the carpet, stretch the legs straight.
- Fold, the right leg .keep the right leg’s heel touching the left leg’s knee.
- Take the right hand to back of the waist twisting your trunk, spread in palms and place it on the carpet.
- Bring the left hand close to right knee and hold the right leg’s ankle or big toe with the left hand.
- Twist the head and shoulder to right side and look straight to the right shoulder’s side (i.e. back side).
- Stay in the pose up to 30 counts breathing normally.
- Turn the head to the front, release hands holding the right leg’s ankle or big toe; stretch the legs, keep the palm on the carpet in a relaxed manner and take rest for 10 seconds.
- Now follow the same procedure to the left side
Ardhakati Chakrasana
- Stand in Tadasana.
- Slowly raise your right hand vertically above our head while breathing in stretch the hand further with full inhalation.
- Now slowly bend your body towards left side, while exhaling.
- Maintain normal breathing in the final posture.
- Maintain the posture for about 30 seconds.
- While inhaling come up and with exhalation slowly bring down the right hand down.
- Repeat same with right side.
Anuloma Viloma Pranayama
- Sit in a steady asana.
- Close the right nostril with your thumb and draw in air from the left nostril. Do this as slowly as you can.
- Now release the thumb and close the left nostril with your ring finger .Then breathe out slowly through the right nostril.
- Next take the air in from the right nostril and then release it through the left nostril.
- This is one round of Anuloma Viloma
Bhramari pranayama
- Sit in padmasana.
- Close eyes and breathe deeply.
- Keep the mouth closed.
- Plug both the ears with the index fingers and close the eyes.
- Then start inhaling through both nostrils, and then start creating sound while you exhale.
- Then exhale slowly, making a continuous humming sound from throat.
- The sound is similar to chanting of Om, especially the long mmm… in omkar.
- The sound should be deep, steady and smooth.
Uddiyana Bandha
- Inhale deeply.
- Completely exhale and while exhaling, try to shift the muscles of the stomach towards inner side.
- Lift up the ribs a little bit and push the muscles from within with a gentle push towards the upward direction.
- This result in muscles of diaphragm being pushed upwards. This is the final stage.
- Try to remain firm in this pose.