Gastritis is a condition when the mucous membrane of stomach experiences inflammation. This mucous membrane plays a very significant role in digestion of food. Here many digestives enzymes are secreted which leads to the completion of digestion in stomach. Due to reduction or inflammation of this membrane it leads to the disease gastritis. In yogic language, this ailment is often compared to `udharvagata amalpitta`.

There may be several causes of gastritis, like infection, consuming unhygienic food, intake of extremely spicy and stale food, drinking excess of tea and coffee, smoking and drinking alcohol. Use of certain medicines like antibiotics, aspirin; and emotional stress and over burden of work may also lead to gastric troubles. Nausea, vomiting, headache, decreased appetite, coated tongue, bad breath and pain and cramps in abdomen indicate the problem of gastritis.

Yoga is one of the safest procedures and probably the fastest method that can provide relief from gastritis.

Some of the asanas that can be practiced if suffering from gastritis are as follows -

Pranayama - It is the science of breath control and consist a series of exercises intended to keep the body healthy. These exercises are to bring more oxygen to the blood and to the brain, and to control `prana` or the vital life energy.

Uttanpada asana - This asana is perfect for the people suffering from gastritis. This posture tones up the abdominal muscles and is considered as a brilliant pose for indigestion, disorders of pancreas, cures constipation and intestinal problems. This also reduces fat and wing formation in the stomach.

Pawanmuktasana - The basic benefit of this asana is to release the obstructed wing in the stomach. However, it also reduces the fat around the abdomen, strengthens the digestive system, lower back muscles, eases up the spinal vertebrae and massages the pelvic muscles and reproductive organs.

Bhujangasana - This asana strengthen the spine, stretch the chest, shoulders, and abdomen, firm the buttocks, and relieve stress and fatigue.

Shalabhasana - This asana is very effective in curing gastritis and improving digestion. It also strengthens the muscles of the lower back, increases flexibility in the back. It is especially recommended for relieving sciatica and pain in the lower back.

Vajrasana - Other than relieving the gas from the stomach, this asana strengthens thigh muscles and calf muscles.

Practicing Yoga asana regularly reduces the occurrence of gastritis, but the person concerned should also bring changes to his diet and lifestyle. For curing gastritis, the foremost requirement is to control the diet. Healthy, balanced diet with ample of fruits and vegetables is recommended. A strict prohibition should be drawn on the consumption of spicy food, cold drinks, alcohol, street food and stale food. One should never keep the stomach empty that will invariably increase the trauma of gastritis. Short and repeated meals are the best options to keep the stomach always satiated. Smoking should be completely abolished by the person suffering from gastritis.

DISCLAIMER - The Yoga asanas prescribed above should be strictly performed under the supervision of an experienced Yoga teacher.