Yoga for Digestion: A List of Yoga Asanas to Improve and Aid Digestion
Digestion, the breakdown of food in the body, can manifest in various forms of discomfort. Issues like bloating, gassiness, and constipation are common experiences. While some may find these discomforts mildly inconvenient, others may suffer from severe pain and difficulty in relief.
Factors contributing to digestion struggles can include underlying health conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflamed bowel, or poor gut health exacerbated by unhealthy eating habits. Medical assistance, dietary improvements, and targeted movement aimed at enhancing digestion are integral to addressing these causes.
How yoga can help with digestion:
Practicing yoga can reduce stress, a leading contributor to indigestion and IBS. Deep breathing and meditative states alleviate tension in the stomach, facilitating digestion. Gentle poses and movements such as twists and forward folds enhance blood circulation and promote gut health, thereby improving digestion. Here are four yoga poses for digestion…
A list of yoga poses that promote digestion:
1. Downward-facing dog pose (Adho Mukha Svanasana)
Hold the pose while pushing into the hands and allowing the head to hang heavy for three deep breaths before slowly releasing to a comfortable seated position.
Benefits: Downward-facing dog stimulates blood circulation throughout the body, making it an effective stress-reducing pose that aids digestion. Additionally, it strengthens and stretches the arms.
2. Half lord of the fishes spinal twist (Ardha Matsyendrasana)
Twist first to the left side, holding your left knee with your right hand or placing the right elbow on the inside of the knee for two deep breaths. Repeat the twist on the right side before returning to a neutral seated position.
Benefits: This gentle twisting pose promotes bowel regularity, reduces stomach bloating, and relaxes stomach muscles for improved digestion. It also opens and stretches the chest and shoulders.
3. Cobra pose (Bhujangasana)
Push into the hands to lift your torso slightly off the mat, extending the elbows or keeping them bent for two deep breaths before releasing back down.
Benefits: Cobra pose stretches and strengthens the stomach muscles, aiding digestion. It also strengthens the arms, stretches the spine, and opens the shoulders and chest.
4. Knees to chest pose (Apanasana)
Lie with your arms wrapped around your shins, hugging your legs or holding onto your knees for three breaths before releasing to Savasana.
Benefits: Knees to chest pose is a relaxing posture that relieves stomach pain and promotes digestion. It also massages the lower back, offering relief from pain in that area.
These yoga poses offer gentle yet effective methods to alleviate discomfort and support digestive health. Incorporating them into a regular yoga practice can contribute to improved digestion and overall well-being.