Hair is the first thing that people notice about you. The importance of healthy hair and a great hairstyle in boosting self-confidence and enhancing the overall personality of a human being cannot be overestimated. And the sad reality is todays younger generation is facing hair loss and baldness like no other generation before. Hence we have compiled this post to bring 9 effective yoga secrets to cure hair loss.
Today’s fast-paced life has gifted us many revolutionary things; hair fall is the by-product of it. The continuous increase in stress levels, disturbed sleep-cycle, degrading food quality, chemically infused hair products and smoking habits are some of the main reasons behind the increasing hair fall issues with youngsters. In today’s stressful life, healthy hair is a dream for many. I am sure we all have come across people who are barely in their twenties and have started experiencing tremendous hair fall, premature greying, receding hairline, and baldness irrespective of their gender. Women are equally affected and few more reasons for hair loss in women are hormonal imbalance, polycystic ovary syndrome, thyroid disorders, and anemia.
Below are a few worrying stats for Hair loss problem
- 4 out of 10 women start experiencing premature greying before the age of 27.
- 50% of all women start losing their hair by the time they are 50 years old.
- Study shows that 95% of hair loss in men is caused by androgenetic alopecia, also known as male-pattern baldness.
- 6 out of 10 males under the age of 25 start experiencing receding hairline and baldness. What exacerbates this issue is the fact that 25% of men will start seeing this process begin before they turn 21.
Hair loss and balding stats are not fun at all! It can be very frustrating as it affects relationships as well as professional lives. No one wants to look in the mirror only to find out the forehead getting bigger day by day. It takes a toll on your confidence and you tend to isolate yourself to avoid the humiliation that comes with baldness when you are just 25!
Can Yoga really help to cure hair loss?
Yes, I know, the question popping into your head right now is, “Is it even a thing? Can Yoga really help to cure hair loss?
The simple answer would be, “Yes, Yoga can help to cure hair loss. For real!”
Allow me to shed some light on how yoga can help you combat hair growth and by the end of this article, you be the judge and jury. We are no stranger to the dozens of benefits of yoga on our body, mind, and soul. Over the years, people’s reliability on yoga has increased at an exponential rate. From improving skin health to curing heart-related problems, yoga can do it all and more.
The science behind yoga is simple, it’s a carefully designed regime that helps you to loosen up the stiffed joints and improve the blood flow in your body, and when the body gets all the oxygen and blood flow it requires, you can see miracles happen.
How Yoga helps to cure hair loss?
Yoga to cure hair loss is getting popular day by day as the world is getting familiar with the benefits and wonders yoga can do for hair growth. Yoga has the potential to curb hair loss, induce hair growth, and improve the overall health of your hair.
All you need is a little dedication and a leap of faith. Believe in yourself, have faith in yoga, and let yoga work its magic. We have curated a list of yoga poses and breathing exercises that work best in curing hair loss. All the forward bending asanas listed below will enhance blood circulation in the head or in the crown region, which in turn repair the cells, nourish the roots of the hair, and as a result, you will notice the improvement in your hair growth over a period of time.
1. Balayam Yoga | Nail Rubbing Yoga
Balayam yoga is the most recommended exercise when it comes to curing hair fall. It is simple, effective and the best thing about it is that you can do it anywhere anytime. I would urge you to not ignore this exercise as it is highly beneficial for hair growth.
Steps:
- Place your hands at chest level. Form a half-fist by curling your fingers inwards.
- Allow your fingers’ nails to touch each other by facing your palms against each other.
- Now, swiftly rub your nails of one hand against each other. Please make sure to only rub the fingernails and not the thumb.
- Continue this for 5 minutes.
- Do it twice-thrice in a day
2. Forward Bend | Uttanasana
Steps:
- Stand straight on the ground and maintain distance between your feet.
- Raise both your arms together towards the sky with a deeply focused inhalation.
- Exhale and bend forward, letting your palm touch the floor.
- Your hips would act as a common point between the upper body and lower body, maintain balance.
- Feel your back stretching in opposite directions as you pull the head down and in and press the hips up.
- Breathe and hold for 4-8 breaths, pressing the belly into the thighs on the inhalation.
Precautions:
- You need to refrain from practicing this pose if you face chronic problems or have a history of any injury in your knee joints, ankle joints, or back.
3. Mountain Pose | Tadasana
Steps:
- Stand straight on the ground and maintain distance between your feet.
- Raise both your arms together towards the sky with a deeply focused inhalation.
- Let your fingers interlock with the fingers of the other hand comfortably.
- Now raise your heals as much as possible in a way that you maintain a balance standing on your toes.
- Hold his poses as long as possible and keep inhaling and exhaling.
Precaution:
- Avoid holding this pose for too long for those suffering from Low Blood Pressure as the blood may begin to pool in the lower half of the body, causing dizziness.
- If one is pregnant it is advised to keep one-foot hip distance, or wider between your legs.
4. Thunderbolt Pose | Diamond Pose | Vajrasan
Steps:
- Sit in a position where the soles of your feet are on your buttocks.
- Place the thighs on the legs one over the other and soles on your buttocks.
- Your whole body weight should fall on your knees and ankles. Make sure your calves are touching the thighs.
- Sit straight with an erect spine and close your eyes.
- Take a deep breath and place your palms on the respective knees while you inhale and exhale.
- Hold on to this position for 3-5 minutes initially. Gradually increase the time up to 15 minutes.
Precautions:
- People suffering from joint pain should avoid this asana.
- Also, people having lower back problems and spinal problems should avoid this asana.
5. Downward Facing Dog Pose | Adho Mukha Svanasana
Steps:
- Stand straight on your legs then bend forward.
- Place your palms on the floor, note that your fingers are widely spread and balanced.
- There should be enough space between your knees and palm.
- Now, take note that your wrists are exactly aligned with your shoulder, and knees aligned with hips.
- Stretch your elbows and let your upper back relax.
- Lift both your knees from the floor and raise your pelvis too.
- Straighten your legs gradually, as straight as possible.
- Bring your body into the shape of the alphabet ‘A’.
- Stay stable and do not change the distance between your palms and feet.
- Draw your shoulder blades into your upper back ribs and toward your tailbone.
- Hold this position for 30 seconds and later you can increase your time limit.
- To relax from that position, relax your knees, and bend down.
Precautions:
- If the person practicing this pose has stiff or weak back muscles, tight hamstrings, sciatica, or knee problems should practice this pose gently and gradually easing in and out of the pose while keeping the knees bent and back straight.
- Those with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome should press down into the base of their fingers.
6. Shoulder Stand Pose | Sarvangasana
Steps:
- To begin with, lie down on your back with hands on the side.
- Gently lift your legs, buttocks, and back such that you come up high on your shoulders. You can use your hands to support your back.
- Inhale and raise the back and legs up into a vertical position. Your chin should rest against the chest, creating a chin lock.
- Keep your legs firm and fix your eyesight on the toes as you maintain balance.
- Continue normal breathing and remain in this position for about 30-60 seconds.
- To come out, inhale and while exhaling, bend the waist and lower the legs over the head. Bring your hands to the floor.
- Inhale and lower your back on the floor keeping your legs at 90 degrees. Be very gentle while your lower your back. Then slowly lower your legs back to the starting position.
Precautions:
- You will have to be extra careful while performing this asana. Perform each pose very slowly and gently to avoid any mishaps.
- People suffering from high blood pressure, heart diseases, and brain conditions should avoid this asana.
- Avoid if you are suffering from slip disc, enlarged thyroid, headache, or cervical spondylitis.
7. Alternative nostril breathing | Anulom Vilom
Steps:
- Sit comfortably on your mat and sit straight so that your back, neck, and head are aligned.
- Let your left-hand rest on your left knee.
- There is this particular hand pose that one has to perform with his right hand. There is a reference image. You have to curl up your index and middle finger and let the other fingers be open and not curled up.
- Maintaining the same hand pose, use your thumb to press your right nostril and inhale deeply from your left nostril.
- Hold your breath for 5 seconds and then press your left nostril with your ring finger and lift your thumb from your right nostril and exhale slowly.
- Keep repeating this 15-20 times.
Precautions:
- Avoid practicing it if you are suffering from high blood pressure or any heart disease.
8. Kapalbhati | Skull Shining Breath
Steps:
- Sit comfortably on your mat and sit straight so that your back, neck, and head are aligned.
- Inhale normally and exhale forcefully through your nostrils only.
- Keep inhaling and exhaling in this manner for 30 -50 seconds.
Precautions:
- Avoid Kapalbhati if you are pregnant.
- Avoid if you are suffering from high blood pressure or heart-related discomforts
- Not to be practiced when having an asthma attack.
9. Breath of fire | Bhastrika Pranayama
Steps:
- Sit comfortably on the mat, and fold your legs.
- Sit straight and keep your back neck and head aligned.
- Bend your elbows, placing them in front of your torso.
- When you inhale, move your elbows up and palm open and placing it near your ears.
- Hold your breath for 2-3 seconds.
- Then you exhale, and when you exhale, push your breath out and swing you elbows down and your open palm into a fist.
- Keep inhaling and exhaling for 20-25 times continuously.
Precautions:
- Avoid practicing Bhastrika Pranayama if you are suffering from high blood pressure.
- A person suffering from acute heart problems should not practice BhastrikaPranayam.
Yoga for hair fall is tried and tested by many; and the results are optimum. You will need to take a leap of faith here. Believe in yourself and believe in yoga. With regular practice of these poses and breathing exercises, you will be able to significantly reduce or even stop hair fall.
