With growing age, one of the most uncomfortable issues that men face is problems related to the prostate gland. Prostate enlargement, medically termed as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is a condition in which the prostate, a walnut-sized body part made of glandular and muscular tissue, grows in size.
The prostate surrounds part of the urethra, which is the tube that carries urine and sperm out of the body. An enlargement of the prostate gland can cause uncomfortable urinary symptoms, such as blocking the flow of urine out of the bladder, frequent or urgent need to urinate, increased urination specially at night, difficulty starting urination and dribbling at the end etc. It can also cause bladder, urinary tract or kidney problems.
Also Read: Prostatitis : Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Although there are several effective treatments for prostate gland enlargement, including medications, minimally invasive therapies and surgeries, if you want to treat it naturally, here comes Yoga, an age-old traditional technique that brings your redemption. This timeless approach strengthens the pelvic floor muscles and reduces pelvic tension that not only improves bladder and bowel control but also makes it easier to urinate. Additionally, it also promotes recovery after prostate surgery, increases sexual satisfaction and greatly upholds social confidence and quality of life.
Well, we bring you a list of effective yoga poses that help prevent enlargement of prostate gland and keeps the painful symptoms at bay.
Incredible Yoga Poses For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Dhanurasana (Bow Pose)
Lie flat on your stomach and raise both the legs and torso backward. Extend your arms backward and grasp both the feet with your hands. Hold this position for as long as possible and keep inhaling normally. Return to the starting position and repeat the asana for 5-6 times.
Benefits:
The Bow pose is pivotal in strengthening and regulating the prostate gland which eventually helps in treating BPH. Additionally, it also relaxes the low back, hips, and inner thighs, which may ease discomfort and help you feel better overall. It can also have a calming, relaxing effect, which may help one mitigate stress, anxiety and fatigue.
Virasana (Hero Pose)
Sit in between your feet with your knees down and your toes facing backward. While straightening your spine, place your hands on your thighs with palms facing down. Shift your weight in your hips and not your knees. Roll over to one side and release your legs. Keep breathing normally the entire time. Take a break for a minute and repeat the asana 5 times.
Benefits:
The Hero Pose is extremely beneficial in relieving pressure from around the prostate gland. Not only does it stretch the hips, thighs, knees, ankles and feet but also improves overall circulation and relieves tired legs. It is one of the best poses for preventing prostate enlargement.
Salamba Sarvangasana (Shoulder-Stand Pose)
Lie flat on the ground with your legs laid side-by-side and both arms resting on either side of the body. Swing your legs up in such a way so that your legs, buttocks and hip is up in the air and support your body with your elbows attached to the ground. While settling into the pose, ensure that the hold your body properly keeping your legs and spine straight. Hold the pose for 30-40 secs while breathing normally. Slowly bring down your legs back to Shavasana pose and repeat 2-3 times.
Benefits:
Deemed as the “Mother of all Poses”, the shoulder stand pose is extremely pivotal to soothe the nerves and calm the mind. This asana not only improves the health of the prostate gland by stimulating the nerves and muscles of the sexual glands but also boosts overall immunity.
Baddha Konasana (Butterfly Pose)
Sit straight on the floor. While breathing out, fold your legs close to your body so that the soles of both your feet touch each other face to face. Let your knees drop to the sides. Hold the thumb of your foot and ensure that the foot soles remain touched to each other and always pressed to the ground. Once you are comfortable in the pose, ensure that the torso is stretched through the top of the sternum, and the shoulder blades are also firmly pressed to the back. Now breathe in and out normally. Hold this for 1 minute, take 30 secs break and repeat 5 times.
Benefits:
This butterfly pose holds high significance in opening the various obstructions within the body, especially in the hips allowing a full range of movement and creating a channel for the free passage of fluids within the body. It is also extremely beneficial to stretch the groin, inner thighs, and knees and is good for stimulating the prostate gland in men.
Naukasana (Boat Pose)
Start by lying down flat on the ground, with the back facing downwards. Place both arms by the sides of the body. Slowly inhale and exhale for a few cycles to regulate breathing patterns. Then simultaneously raise your upper body off the ground, while lifting both feet above. Place both hands directly forward, stretched out between the body and knees. Stay in this position for at least 5 minutes. Exhale and relax the body, gradually bring it back to the ground. Repeat the pose 5-6 times.
Benefits:
The Boat pose not only helps in opening up the chest and engaging the muscles in the core but also strengthening the hip flexors and adductor muscles. Additionally, it also prevents enlargement of the prostate gland and helps in releasing pressure exerted by the enlarged prostate on the urethra.
