A person is likely to be underweight, if they weigh anywhere between 15 to 20 percent less than the normal weighing range for a given age and height. Unless the condition is due to a chronic factor or a manifest disease, it can be managed through holistic healing systems that emphasize on treating the cause of the condition rather than the symptoms Today we share a few easily applicable tips prescribed in the 5000-year-old oriental wisdom of Yoga and Ayurveda that can help you manage the body weight. According to Ayurveda, it is not just good enough that one gains weight but it is also important that the person has core strength in the body. The issue of underweight is not just a physical health issue but for most people it has a mental health repercussion as well. Yoga and Ayurveda have holistic answers to address both the aspects of the problem of underweight.
1) Sun salutations alternate weeks
Begin with practicing sun salutations or Surya Namaskar every alternate week. For example, if you are practicing 6 rounds of sun salutations in the first week, then do not practice it in the second week(consecutive week). In the second week, you can engage in other activities or asanas. This will help tone the muscles in the first week and in the second the rest the muscles get will help them develop. You can practice anywhere between 6 to 12 rounds of sun salutations every day in the given week.
Sun salutation benefits
- A) Helps improve metabolism.
- B) Improves the digestive system, which means, once the digestive system is restored, your appetite also improves.
- C) Reduces anxiety and stress, thus affecting some of the reasons can usually cause weight loss in some individuals.
- D) Also said to help reduce blood sugar levels
2) Protein Rich Diet
Asanas accompanied with heavy protein rich diet helps in increasing weight as well as maintain it. Experts strongly recommend boiled sprouted pulses in one’s diet. The asanas combined with proper diet will build muscle strength.
3) Add clarified butter made from cow’s milk to the diet.
Source: Cool Garden
4) Ashwagandhadi powder, is a standard Ayurvedic herbal formulation made from winter cherries among the other ingredients and is a great immune booster. It is known to help with issues of underweight, physical weakness or poor nourishment. It is an effective Ayurvedic compliment to a good heavy diet. It brings vitality and physical strength. Ashwagandha also called Indian Ginseng or white cherry extract has multiple health benefits that address the problems that come with being underweight or its symptoms like,
-fights diabetes
-helps bring down cholesterol levels
-has stress relieving properties
-Helps increase red blood cell, white cells and platelet count
-known to be good for muscular strength
5) Chyawanprash
This is an Ayurvedic medical formulation using potent herbs that improve bone and muscle strength. Named after an Indian seer, Chyawanprash looks and tastes like brown jam. It is a herbal tonic, a nutritional powerhouse made from Indian gooseberries, and herbs like winter cherries, white sandalwood, long pepper, cardamom, margosa, holy basil, bark of the Arjuna tree, and waterhyssops mixed with honey and clarified butter.
-Helps increase muscle mass
-Rejuvenates all the tissues in the body
-Increases Ojas or vitality in the body
-Known to be very good for digestion and appetite building
-Good for heart and lungs
6) Oleation Therapy
Oleation therapies like Abhyanga can tremendously help to purge the body of the toxins that collect in the body tissues, thanks to poor lifestyle habits, irregular diet and sleep cycles. It is specifically recommended for people with Vata dosha who happen to have thinner frames. Abhyanga is part of the Panchakarma treatment, which is a full body treatment that addresses the doshic imbalances, detoxifies and rejuvenates the system. It includes massages, herbal medicated oil therapies based on your body constitution, and detoxifying diet tailor made based on your detoxification needs. .
As we look for answers to increase weight, we must keep in mind that core strength and mental fitness, right diet, Yogasanas, meditation and Pranayamas or breathing exercises go a long way in leading a healthy, happy and peaceful life irrespective of our weight issues. As Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Founder of The International Association For Human Values says, “A strong mind can control a weak body but a weak mind cannot even control a strong body.”
