Written by Aviva Tulasi
Eleven years ago, my abdomen was in constant pain. I would either be in pain because I was hungry or in pain because I had just eaten. I was almost always bloated and never knew how my body would react to the food I had eaten. I didn’t know what was wrong with my digestion, and I thought I was the only person in the world who had to restrict their diet to plain white rice and chicken breast. When I finally went to the doctor, he pressed on my abdomen and diagnosed me with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). I was relieved to learn that there was a medical basis for what was going on with my digestion, but getting a diagnosis did little to help with the symptoms of IBS.
According to the Mayo Clinic, IBS is a chronic disorder that affects the large intestine. Although everyone’s experience is slightly different, signs and symptoms of IBS include cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and diarrhea or constipation, or both. IBS typically has been diagnosed in young adults, however, a recent study in Geriatrics found that 10% to 20% of the older adult population had symptoms that were characteristic of IBS.
The most common way to treat IBS is to avoid the foods that trigger your symptoms - usually dairy, wheat, and sugar. Often people can control their symptoms with a FODMAP elimination diet avoiding foods that increase the volume of liquid and gas in the intestines. And from my experience restricting and controlling the diet didn’t always work, but is the first step towards reducing IBS symptoms..
A 2014 study suggests that yoga is a valuable treatment tool for easing symptoms, improving quality of life and reducing distress in young adults ages 18-26. The study found clinically significant reduction in abdominal pain although the intensity did not change. Yoga postures such as sphinx, bow and twists put healthy pressure on the abdomen and promote proper functioning organs by increasing their supply of oxygenated blood. In addition, yoga reduces stress which adversely affects the symptoms of IBS.
Eleven years of doing yoga and being mindful about my eating habits, I typically don’t have an episode of IBS. I have been able to incorporate some of my favorite foods from the FODMAP back into my regular diet; I still avoid brussel sprouts and wheat. Recently after a few months of consciously eating and talking to an ayurvedic consultant, I have even been able to eat small amounts of goat cheese without any IBS symptoms. I am more aware of my eating habits and allow myself time to fully chew and digest my food. When I practice an Ayurvedic motto, “it’s not what you eat, it’s how you eat it,” I don’t experience discomfort after eating.
Check out the calendar and new easier way to sign-up right from the website .
Aviva Tulasi is a yoga instructor who is currently enrolled in an IYAT certified 800 hour yoga therapy program. Aviva still needs to work privately with individuals to complete her practicum hours. She is offering 4.5 hours for free. You can contact Aviva to schedule your free sessions. If you have any questions, contact yogawithtulasi@gmail.com and Aviva can help.
Dogwood has transitioned to a new registration system, called Ribbon. Please remember to use this new system when registering for classes or purchasing class or private packages, and subscriptions. To Learn more: https://dogwoodstudioyoga.com/new-system
In Person classes at The Parlour! We have 15 classes coming up. SPACE IS LIMITED. Sign-up soon. Learn More About the beautiful venue and also the COVID-19 precautions: https://dogwoodstudioyoga.com/events-fall-in-person
Sign-up just like a weekly online class on the calendar, but at checkout you will pay the In Person class fee or use one in your existing packs. There are In Person class packages also :-)
For questions, contact info@dogwoodstudioyoga.com and we are here to help.
SAM Sather, founder of Dogwood Studios, is a certified yoga therapist (C-IAYT), individualizes the yoga practice with appropriate modifications for participants’ unique bodies and medical histories with a focus on finding calm and improving health. She offers several live, online class in yoga as private sessions so you can focus on your needs one-on-one.