Final cover.cdr - National Institute of Naturopathy Pune

natural self management
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Dr. Braj Bhushan Kumar
Abdomen is the axis of our existence.
Whatever we eat is processed here and energy is
derived out of it. Both anatomically and
physiologically, it is one of the most important
landmark of our body. It contains a major part of
gastro-intestinal system, which is responsible for
digestion and absorption of the food. It also houses
major arteries, spleen, liver, kidney, pancreas etc.
which are vital for our survival. Any problem or
disease associated with the abdomen has a
tremendous effect on quality of life of an
individual.
According to yoga, behind the center of
abdomen (umbilicus or Nabhi) located the
Manipura chakra or the solar plexus, is
responsible for providing energy, will power,
dynamism to the whole body. It is associated
with digestion, the sense of sight and the action
of the movement. Some of the yoga practices
(yoga nidra) include the listening of one’s own
nabhi for a better level of consciousness. Modern
yoga gurus lay special emphasis over the
abdominal movements during the practice of
various pranayamas.
Many of us must have heard about age-old belief
of the displacement of nabhi and its subsequent
correction by some of self-claimed experts of the
technique. Regarding of unclear mechanism of
action, it has helped many to attain symptomatic
relief out of it.
The Abdomen
Human abdomen is divided into nine
quadrants, viz, epi-gastric, umbilical, hypogastric,
right and left hypochondriac, right and
left lumbar, right and left iliac. Pain experienced
in any of these parts can be termed as
abdominal pain. Pain may originate from
various pathological conditions of the
abdominal organs such as; stomach, small
intestine, colon, liver, gallbladder, spleen and
pancreas. The pain from diseased condition of
organs located outside of abdominal cavity like
lungs, kidneys, uterus, ovaries etc. can also be felt in
Nisargopachar Varta : January 2013 29