Feeling Queasy?

Feeling queasy?

If you have treatment-induced nausea your belly can feel like it’s auditioning for a horror film. But I have a few tips to keep the chaos at bay.

Step 1: Create Space. (Supported Bound Angle or leaning back).

First, find a position that makes a little space in the abdomen. You could try supported bound angle pose (see image below). You’ll need lots of pillows or a yoga bolster and 2 blocks. If that’s not doable, simply lean back in a comfy chair or couch and let the legs relax open.

Step 2: Breathe Low. (Soft, diaphragmatic breaths).

Next, start some belly breathing (diaphragmatic breathing). As you inhale, gently expand your belly (let it move outward and downward). As you exhale, relax and let the breath elongate (invite the exhale to take all the time that it wants; don’t rush). Stay really relaxed with this breathing; keep it soft and not much bigger than your normal breath.

Step 3: Direct the Energy. (The “Down” visualization).

Now, here’s a subtle trick: send a silent message to the upset in your belly: ‘down.’ Imagine you are coaxing that restless internal weather to settle; encouraging the upward surge to relax and drop deeper toward the earth. With every exhale, silently say (and feel) down while sensing your grounding, feeling the weight of your pelvis, and your body against the chair or the floor. Direct the upset downward.

In yoga, we call this downward movement apana. In common terms we call it grounding, which is simply sensing the earth, sensing the pull of gravity, and dropping any excess tension.

I hope the discomfort passes quickly.

Michelle