Regulating apana vayu / evaquating bowels early morning

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

Dear Munkunda,

Lot of people, including myself, are suffering from constipation for time to time. Some people even consider it normal to have bovel movements every two days or so. It is always recommended to evacuate your bowels before starting asana practice. However, it is not often easy - or nearly impossible.

Some people have tendency to get easily constipated - or bowel movements getting irregular, even though following yogic diet based on ayurvedic principles and meals being at regular times. I am using the ayurvedic product trifala to regulate my bowel movements in case they get disturbed and have managed to make them happen regularly at 8:45 every morning.

Now, I would like to make them happen at 5 am, before I start my asana practice. To achieve this, I have been drinking 1,5 litres of warm water right after getting up from bed and going to toilet and waiting for bowel movements, without desired effect. Then I do my asanas (starting with pawanmuktasana part II - from Bihar APMB book - and followed with others) and have my breakfast. Only one hour after breakfast I have the bowel movements.

What are the best ways of regulating apana vayu - and having bowel movements at set time in the morning? Any apanic foods to suggest? Reflexology / acu pressure points? Essential oils? Is there some mantra for apana vayu? Meditation / visualisation?

#2

I became a vegan recently. Once I eliminated Meat, eggs, and especially dairy, I found that my bowel movements became regular. I personally have mine about 8pm every night, but I suppose you could get it to happen at 6 with effort. I think the dairy was messing with my body all these years without me knowing. Try eliminating dairy for a week and see if it has any effect.

#3

Well it is already excluded for the time being from the diet, except very occasional - less than once a week. Boilde full-fat milk is mildly laxative and it has tranqulizing effect on body and mind, helps to get sleep and also relaxes the intestines - so for many Vata-types it helps easing constipation.

#4

Apana vayu or the eliminative prana is best regulated by keeping regular schedule in sadhana, sleep and diet. Triphala is often helpful for many though does not work for regularity for all. Sometimes what is needed is ojas stimulating foods – ghee, honey, warm milk, dates, figs. this is particularly true if you are doing much tapas meditation and having kundalini sadhana.

 Frankly i do not find that such a disciplined schedule as you are doing is really conducive to bowel regularity unless you are getting to bed before 10.  you do not mention when this is for you and if it is later then it is unreasonable to expect them to function so early.  The fact that you are regular and move after sadhana is fine from my perspective.  If you feel necessary to have according to Bihar School of yoga and its book - Asana, Pranayama, Mudra and Bandha (APMB you mention) then you should consult one of their staff members, rather than here.  

  Taking one tablespoon of castor oil at evening is helpful also.  There are many other practices - oiling hands and feet at night; stimulating reflex point in mid web of thumb and forefinger; stretching iliotibial band of fascia on the outer hip to outer knee.  these are all effective for colon stimualtion.  Other practices i would not recommend without direct consultation.  namaste mukunda
#5

I find oil-pulling quite effective (Kavala Gandoosha or Kavala Graha). Bowel movement occurs 1-10 minutes afterwards.

The method is the following:
On an empty stomach, before ingesting any liquids or solids, take a spoonful of ORGANIC COLD PRESSED oil (sunflower oil is well recommended) ans swish it in your mouth, wirl, pull, like you would do with mouthwash but more gently. Ideally you should do it for 20 minutes but any time longer than 5 brings already benefits. SPIT the contents; the oil has now turned into a white bubbly foam. This foam is toxic, it is important to rince your mouth (I add a few drops of Peroxyde water to kill the bacteria) and brush your teeths afterwards.

This technique is well-documented you can learn more about its various benefits on the Net.

Hope it helps!

#6

I also agree with Questioner: Sleeping early helps!

#7

There is good advice given by others here. I follow a vegan diet and have found as long as there is enough fiber and of course regular exercise, even walking, enough water consumption it should keep things fairly regular. It has for me. Constipation should not be a regular occurrence----if it persists I would seek advice of a medical doctor.

#8

apana is regulated through right nostril breath (according to Hatha YOga Pradipika)

also, poses such as apanasana and turtoise squat (jivamukti yoga call it like that) is good for BM

shatkarmas - prakshalana and basti is helpful for constipation as well. modified prokshalana is just a glass of warm water just right after you wake up