Is ‘Alien Yoga’ Trend Healthy?

Yoga is the practice of mind and body. Practicing yoga makes the body strong and flexible, it also improves the functioning of the respiratory, circulatory, digestive, and hormonal systems. It helps gain emotional stability and clarity of mind. It is also a practical aid, not a religion.

Yoga is an ancient art based on a harmonising system of development for the body, mind, and spirit. The continued practice of yoga will lead you to a sense of peace and well-being, and also a feeling of being at one with the environment.

Yoga is the best way to lose weight and keep oneself healthy and fit. Nowadays, there is a new fad, ‘alien yoga'. It is a cleansing exercise that involves deep exhales and rolling your belly from side to side in a wave like movement.

Many yoga lovers are contorting their stomachs into weird shapes that look like the classic vision of what an alien would look like. The move, which is actually called ‘Nauli’, is supposed to cleanse the digestive system and strengthen the core through a series of abdominal movements.1 It was apparently first mentioned around 500 years ago, and in some yoga traditions, was among one of the first exercises taught to new students. It is still fairly uncommon in Western yoga — though that might be changing. But what exactly is Nauli and is it a fitness trend we should be following? Yes, it is a fitness trend termed by youngsters or yoga lovers. It may look difficult, especially in some of the Instagram videos, but this movement can be practiced by most yogis and by anyone basically.

The Nauli exercise comprises of a series of four movements in total. According to some yogis, one must master Uddiyana Bandha before attempting the next three:

o Uddiyana Bandha: An abdominal lock accomplished by emptying your lungs and pulling the abdomen in and up under the rib cage.

o Madhyana Nauli (central Nauli): The isolated contraction of the central abdominal muscles.

o Vama Nauli (left side Nauli): The isolated contraction of the left side of the abdominal muscles.

o Daksina Nauli (right side Nauli): The isolated contraction of the right side of the abdominal muscles.

In addition to stronger abs and better digestion, performing Nauli is also said to correct hormonal imbalances, keep your organs in tip top shape, improve willpower and produce happiness and emotional stability. Basically, the trend is the complete opposite of drinking unicorn Frappuccino but on the other hand many advise that pregnant women, and those with hernias, hypertension, heart disease, ulcers, or various gastrointestinal ailments should not practice Nauli. Even for a fit and healthy person, Nauli should not be painful — it should always be practiced with care and caution.

Resources:

“Alien yoga is the latest craze among fitness fans on social media.” NZ Herald, www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=11864968.