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   In this episode of yoga therapy we are discussing about hernia. Outward projection of any internal organ of the body through a hole or opening is known as Hernia. This is a common disease and in this disease lower abdominal muscles become weak. In such a condition a part of intestines comes out. The disease is caused because of the untoward tension in the muscles. This is a disease of reproductive and urinary systems also. The other diseases of urinary and reproductive systems will be discussed in the forthcoming issues.

The types of Hernia - There are different types of Hernia. The difference in the names is based on the location in the body where the Hernia is found.

1.    Inguinal Hernia – This is caused when some internal organ of abdominal region gets pressed under inguinal canal. In this the material of the hernia comes inside the gonads and starts growing gradually. In this case it is difficult to differentiate the Hernia from Hydrocele. Therefore the right diagnosis is a must. This condition occurs in males (20% more) than in females. Among all the types of external hernia this condition is found in more than 70% cases.

2.    Femoral Hernia – In this type, abdominal organ gets dislocated and moves toward a hole in front part of the thigh. The femoral artery is present here and hence the name. This is mainly found in females. Among the common Hernia cases this type is found in 17%cases.

3.    Umbilical Hernia – In this, knot or sac of hernia comes out of the navel. This condition arises in cases where the abdominal muscles in the naval region are somewhat weak. This is seen generally at the time of birth or early childhood or in the middle aged obese individuals with extra large abdomen. Among all the cases of Hernia percentage of this type is 8%.

Depending on the projection or outgrowth this is of two types-

1.    In this type of Hernia the sac, which comes out can be pressed inside. When the patient is in supine position the sac automatically moves inside and when the patient is in standing position it ejects out. Most of the Hernia cases are of this type. This condition can be easily cured by the practice of yoga.

2.    The cases where Hernia cannot be pressed back into the body are dangerous, as some of the abdominal organs can get entangled in it. In such cases Gangrene can be formed in that spot, which could be fatal. In this type of Hernia doctors’ advice is must.


3.    The Causes of Hernia – Hernia occurs because of the weak abdominal muscles. There could be many reasons for the weak condition of the muscles. Sometimes Hernia is caused immediately after birth. This condition could be congenital or due to the underdevelopment of the muscles.  Lifting heavy weights or some carelessness in the work also damages the muscles leading to the disease. This is seen in young males and females. Hernia is also found in some conditions where internal pressure is more. In the smokers who cough incessantly, or in the individuals in whom prostrate gland enlarges and in the chronic cases of constipation where the patient has to exert more pressure in passing urine and stool. In the case of constipation Apana vayu becomes weak and polluted and hence the need for using more pressure. Apana vayu flows down and assists the excretion of urine and stool. Because of all the above mentioned reasons the pressure on abdominal muscles is more and this leads to Hernia. The Hernia in the middle age period is because of this reason.

Because of obesity and excessive eating there is undue stretching of abdominal muscles. The full intestines add that extra pressure. Because of the sluggish lifestyle and lack of exercise the abdominal muscles become loose and motionless and the abdominal organs start hanging down. This causes the bulging of the stomach. This condition is known as Visceroptosis. The cause of Hernia in women could be the extra pressure on abdominal muscles during pregnancy and child birth.

The yogic cure of Hernia – The cure of hernia depends on the type and severity of the condition. Any type of Hernia should be carefully drawn back into the abdominal region. The practice of yoga is the best means. The Hernia caused due to the heaviness of intestines and which is not chronic can be cured effectively through yoga. Other types of Hernia also can be cured through practice of some asanas and bringing changes in the life style. If it is chronic and uncontrollable then surgery becomes essential. After recovering from the operation yogasans can be practiced under the guidance of an adept guide. After 4 to 8 weeks of an operation some asanas of pavanmuktasan part–1 can be started and later some asanas from pavanmukasan part-2 and from the set of shakti bandh asanas and vajrasana can be added.

Asana –The procedures of Pavanmuktasana  part 1 and 2 , vajrasana, mastyasan, Shashankasan, Marjari asana , Ushtrasana have been explained in detail in the previous issues. Besides that Supta Vajrasan, Sarvangasan, Vipareetkarani Mudra, Halasana, Yogamudra, Pashini Mudra, Ashwani Mudra, Vajroli Mudra, Jalandhar Bandha, Moolbandha, Uddiyan Bandha should be practiced. The detailed procedures are given below.

Supta Vajrasana – Sit in Vajrasana. With the help of shoulders and elbows bend backward and place the head on the floor. Back should be in the shape of a bow. The knees should be fixed on the floor. Place hands on thighs. Close eyes and leave the entire body loose.

Sarvangasana – Lie down on your stomach. Place both hands by the side of the body with the palm open and fixed on the floor. With the support of hands raise the legs up. Bend the elbows and while applying pressure on the palms straighten the back. Trunk and legs should be perpendicular to neck. Chin should rest on chest.

Vipareetkarani Mudra - This asana is like sarvangasana. In this chin is not touching the chest. Trunk is at 45 degree angle whereas in sarvangasana trunk is straight at 90 degree angle.

Halasana - Lie on your back. Hands should be placed by the side of buttocks and palms opened upward. Slowly lift the legs up straight. The pressure should not be on the hands; rather it should be on the abdominal muscles. Take the legs back over the head and touch the floor with the toes. Hands should be on the waist as in sarvangasana. Come back to the initial stage and perform some more activities –

1.    Take the feet backward so that whole body is stretched. Come back to the initial stage.
2.    Pull feet backward (away from the head) to the extent that back should be stretched fully. Legs should be stretched. Hold the feet with hands. Come to normal state and then to the initial stage.

Yogamudra – Sit in padmasana. Close eyes. Hold the wrist of one hand with the other behind the back. Relax the body and bend trunk down till the head touches the floor. Stay in this posture for a while. Slowly come back to normal position.

Pashini Mudra – Come to halasana. Spread the legs about half a meter wide. Bend the knees. Bring the thighs so close to the chest that knees should touch ears, shoulders and floor. Enclose the head and legs firmly with the hands. Breathe slowly. Focus attention on Manipuraka chakra. Stay in the position as long as it is comfortable.

Aswini Mudra – First stage – Sit in any meditative posture. Relax the body. Close the eyes and breathe normally. Contract the muscles around anus and then relax. Repeat this maximum possible number of times.

Second stage – Sit as in the first position. While contracting anus perform poorak (inhalation). In the state of contraction apply antarkumbhak (retaining the air within) and then perform rechak (exhalation). Relax the muscles.

Vajroli Mudra – Sit in any meditative posture. Place the hands on the knees. Close the eyes and relax the body. Bring stress on the lower abdominal region and pull the urinary and genital systems upward. The process of contraction should be such as is done for stopping the urination for a while.

Jalandhar bandh - Sit in padmasana or siddhasana. You can practice this in standing posture also. Place the hands on the knees. Relax the whole body. Close the eyes. Perform long poorak (inhalation) and antarkumbhak (retaining air within). Bend head and press the chin on the chest. Stay in that position for a while, motionless while applying pressure on the hands. Bring shoulders upward and forward. In this position hands will be straight and stable. This is the final stage. Stop the breath as long as it is comfortable. Relax the shoulders. Fold the hands and raise head, while breathing out. After normalizing the breath repeat the process.  

Moolabandha – Sit in Siddhasana or Siddhayoni asana. Place the palms on the thighs. Close the eyes. Relax the body. Perform a long poorak (inhalation). Retain the air within (antarkumbhak), Apply Jalandhar bandha. Thereafter contract the muscles in the muladhara region and pull the muscles upward. This is the final stage. Stay in this state as long as possible while stopping the breath. Then relax the muscles. Bring the head to normal position and perform Rechak (exhalation) slowly.

Uddiyan Bandha – Sit in any meditative posture. Knees should be on the floor. Place palms on the knees. Perform long exhalation (rechak). Retain the air outside (bahirkumbhak). Apply Jalandhar Bandha. Now contract the abdominal muscles by pulling inside and upward. This is the final stage. Practice till a comfortable state is achieved. Then gradually relax the abdominal muscles. Perform Inhalation (poorak). After normalizing the breath repeat the whole process.

Besides this antarkumbhak, Bahyakumbhak, Bhastrika pranayam, agnisar kriya, neti kriya, laghu shankh prakshalan, Titali asan, and yoganidra for relaxation should be practiced. Because of the paucity of space all the above mentioned yogic kriyas are not being given in detail. Therefore, those should be learnt under the guidance of an expert yoga trainer. The Department of Yoga, Devasanskriti Vishwavidhyalaya can also be contacted.

Precautions and suggestions – The forward-bending asanas in which there is pressure on the stomach Bhujangasan, Dhanurasan, and shalabhasan should not be performed. The patients of hernia should not lift weights. The digestion should be improved, constipation should be avoided and apana vayu must be balanced. Keeping these precautions in mind and practicing yoga, adequate relief can be obtained by the patients of Hernia.

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